Apple Picking at Andrew's Scenic Acres

Not long ago it was pumpkin season and in Canada at least the gourd wasn't far from everyones mind. On this particularly fine, fall day we visited Andrew's Scenic Acres in Halton Hills. 

This farm was heaving with people on the hunt for the perfect pumpkin to carve for Halloween. We, however, had other things in mind. Fall is also apple season and we had come all this way to pick our own apples. We veered off the beaten path and followed the sign that read Nova Spy.  

But obviously, the pumpkin patches were too photogenic to pass up and through the patches we went. Tempting as the orange, white and green pumpkins were, we managed to stay on task and procured the makings of one heck of an apple dessert.

Do you do Pick-Your-Own? What's your favourite fruit to pick?

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Salted Caramel Apple Cake

Last weekend, my mum and I visited Andrew's Scenic Acers, which was beautiful and very autumnal with it being pumpkin season (watch for a post to come). After taking some pictures of the photogenic pumpkin patches, we headed over to the apple trees and did some Pick-Your-Own apple picking.

I'm not a huge fan of apple pie, but love apples. And cake. Solution! Apple cake. And what's even better than apple cake? Salted Caramel Apple Cake, that's what.

I adapted this recipe from The Reluctant Entertainer

15 minute prep/1 hour cook/yields 12 pieces Ingredients: 

6 Tbsp butter (divided) 
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar (divided) 
1 tsp sea salt 
4-5 apples, cored and peeled 
1 1/2 flour (I used whole wheat) 
1 tsp each of nutmeg, cinnamon, and allspice (or use 1 Tbsp apple pie spice) 
2 tsp baking powder 
1/4 tsp salt 
1/2 cup butter, softened (divided) 
2 eggs 
1 tsp vanilla 
1/2 cup whipping cream 

Instructions: 
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter bottom of a 9-10 inch round cake pan with butter, then sprinkle 1/2 cup of the brown sugar and sea salt onto the bottom of the pan. 

2. Heat 2 Tbsp butter in a pan on medium high heat. Sautee the peeled, cut apples until soft. Stirring occasionally to make sure it doesn't burn. 

3. Mix together flour, nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, baking powder, and salt. Add the butter from the apple pan, remaining brown sugar, eggs, whipping cream, and vanilla. Mix together until smooth. 

4. Place cooked apple in cake pan over sugar. Spread batter (it will be thick) over apples. Bake for 40-45 minutes. 

5. Run a knife around the edge of the pan to unstick the cake. Place a plate on top of the pan and flip over to transfer the cake to the plate with the apples on top. Serve at room temperature with some whipped cream on top (optional). 

Share with me in the comments below if you try making this delicious cake yourself or have your own favourite apple recipe!

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Ochalaw Apple Picking

I hope you don't mind if I jump back and forth between some of the posts I have still lined up from my time in England and more recent posts of things I'm doing in Canada. The weather has been so nice here in Ontario this past week that I've been taking advantage of being able to sit out side and read, bike riding, dog walking, and now apple picking! I've never been before but it has always been something I fancied doing. I asked my new doing things buddy, aka Mum, if she wanted to pick some apples and she was more than happy to oblige. I goggled some orchards in our area and picked one near by. We pulled up to the Orchalaw Farms and was the only car in the lot, not surprising as it was a Tuesday afternoon and most people have jobs.  

We picked Empire and Macoun apples and there were several different varieties available, with several more to be available in the coming weeks. 

We had big plans of all the things we would make with the many apples we picked, but we were sure not to pick so many that we would get sick of an apple a day. I have make applesauce with the Empire Apples and will make these Apple Oatmeal Muffins. YUM!

Happy Autumn Harvest!

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