If you’re looking for ways to use up your surplus crab apples, look no further! These tart yet sweet fruits are incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes. While apple pie is delicious, it’s not the only game in town when it comes to cooking with apples. In fact, crab apples have a unique flavor profile that makes them perfect for adding a tangy twist to both sweet and savory recipes.
With their candied taste and functional versatility, crab apples are a great addition to many dishes. Here are 25 clever recipes that showcase the best of what crab apples have to offer.
Slow Cooker Crab Apple Butter
When faced with a bounty of apples that are past their prime, don’t let them go to waste! Instead, harness the power of your slow cooker to create a delicious apple butter. This sweet spread is perfect for using up large quantities of soft or bitter apples, which would otherwise be destined for the compost heap.
To get started, simply chop the apples into smaller pieces and add them to your slow cooker along with some water, sugar, and lemon juice.
Use an immersion blender to mash everything together until you reach your desired consistency.
Add a pinch of cinnamon for extra flavor, then transfer your apple butter to an airtight container for storage. With proper care, this tasty treat will keep for up to six months.
Homemade Crab Apple Jelly
If you’re not in the mood for apple butter, why not try making your own homemade crab apple jelly instead? This recipe is a bit of a process that will take up a few days, but the end result is well worth the effort. To get started, you’ll need to extract the juice from the crab apples, which will then be cooked on the stovetop with sugar until it reaches its signature jelly-like consistency. And the best part?
A personal-sized jar of this delicious homemade jelly makes for a thoughtful and unique gift when paired with a beautiful bow. Simply wrap one up and you’ll have a present that’s sure to impress!
Crab Apple Crisp
Apple crisp, affectionately known as the sleepy apple pie, has earned its reputation as a beloved dessert. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity: no need to fuss over peeling apples – just slice them up and add them to an oven-safe dish, then top with your desired crumbling mixture. Allow it to bake to perfection before serving with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream for the ultimate indulgence.
Spiced Pickled Crab Apples
I was familiar with fermenting fruits, but the concept of pickled apples had never crossed my mind until I came across this unique recipe. Instead of adhering to traditional methods, this approach involves cooking crab apple spears in a mixture of apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and cinnamon before jarring them. This unorthodox method is a great way to capitalize on nature’s abundance.
Fall Crab Apple Jam
As the leaves begin to change colors, the allure of chunky apple jam takes center stage. While it’s tempting to indulge in pumpkin everything during the autumn season, this unique blend of flavors might just provide a delicious distraction from the usual suspects. The combination of rosehips, ginger, and orange slices creates an aromatic and indulgent jam that’s perfect for elevating your charcuterie game.
Crab Apple Fruit Leather
Tired of the constant demand for fruit roll-ups? Introduce your little ones to the delightful world of homemade fruit leather with this easy-peasy recipe. Don’t worry if you’re not a seasoned chef – this treat is as simple as whipping up a basic apple sauce and dehydrating it. And before you know it, you’ll be enjoying a sweet and healthy candy alternative that’s sure to please even the pickiest of eaters.
Caramel Crab Apple
While I have a soft spot for classic caramel apples, there’s something about crab apples that makes them irresistible to me. Their compact size makes them the perfect choice for bite-sized treats that can be easily devoured while walking around or served as finger foods at gatherings. To create these tiny treasures, I dip juicy crab apples in my own homemade caramel sauce and then roll them in a sprinkle of tiny chocolate chips, resulting in a sweet and indulgent treat that’s hard to resist.
Crab Apple Sauce
Indulge in this wholesome delight at any time of day – whether you’re starting with a satisfying breakfast or need a quick pick-me-up as a snack for your little ones. The best part? This clever concoction requires minimal effort and few ingredients, relying solely on the natural goodness of apples, water, and cane sugar. And, did you know that the leftover sauce can be creatively repurposed in a bread recipe or oatmeal, making it an excellent example of reducing food waste!
Overnight Crab Apple Juice
To create this simple yet delicious drink, no fancy juicer is required – just a humble piece of cheesecloth. Simply combine a handful of crab apples, water, sugar, and cream of tartar in a bowl, then allow the mixture to steep overnight. In the morning, line a strainer with the cheesecloth and carefully pour the mixture into it, allowing any excess liquid to drain away. Voila! Your refreshing drink is ready to enjoy alongside your morning meal.
Crab Apple Liqueur
Transforming your collection of heirloom apples into a festive treat? Consider this innovative recipe that yields two delightful outcomes: a tangy chutney and a chilled liqueur. The chutney can be used to elevate your holiday cheese platter or as a flavorful accompaniment to a pork roast. Alternatively, combine it with the vodka-based liqueur for a sweet and fruity martini that’s sure to impress your loved ones.
Honey-Spiced Crab Apple Syrup
While strawberries may be a popular choice for syrups, they’re not the only fruit that can add sweetness and flavor to your breakfast treats. In fact, crab apples make a delicious and unexpected addition to this sweet treat. To make the syrup, combine chopped apples with water, honey, cinnamon, and vanilla in a saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer until the flavors have melded together and the syrup has thickened.
This velvety concoction is perfect for drizzling over pancakes, waffles, or French toast.
Crab Apple Cake
Crafting a delightful dessert reminiscent of a tart, this flaky pastry and succulent fruit filling combination requires only a handful of ingredients. The result is an airy and weightless treat that effortlessly satiates your sweet cravings, making it the perfect accompaniment to a morning cup of coffee – a match made in heaven.
Crab Apple Yogurt Bundt Cake
Indulge in the stunning visual appeal of this star-shaped bundt cake, reminiscent of a glossy magazine spread. The rose-hued masterpiece boasts a tangy twist that will leave your taste buds reeling and propel you into a sweet food coma. To elevate this showstopper, top it with a dusting of powdered sugar and arrange fresh raspberries for an unparalleled dessert experience.
Crab Apple Pie Bars
Savoring the sweet and crumbly delight of crab apple pie bars, it’s hard not to be wowed by the layers of flavors and textures. The buttery shortbread base provides a sturdy foundation for the tangy applesauce filling, which is perfectly balanced by the crunchy oatmeal topping. This recipe is an ideal activity to enjoy with family, as well as a satisfying treat to indulge in when those late-night cravings strike.
Crab Apple Fritters
As the clock struck its final tick, I’d want to savor every bite of these irresistible apple fritters. The thought of indulging in the crispy, fluffy pastry wrapped around a sweet and tangy cinnamon apple filling, finished with a drizzle of rich glaze, sends my senses into a state of pure bliss. It’s an experience that would make my last moments truly unforgettable.
Crab Apple Bread
When mornings are sluggish, I often find myself craving something simple yet satisfying to get my day started. A slice of bread with a rich cup of coffee is a perfect combination for me, as it provides just the right amount of energy to tackle the day ahead. To elevate this humble breakfast, grab some butter and generously spread it on the crumbly exterior of this delicious apple bread recipe before heating it up in a skillet.
As you take your first bite, you’ll be greeted with a warm, sweet, and tender treat loaded with chunks of crab apple, tangy candied orange slices, and crunchy nuts.
Crab Apple Raisin Muffins
Get ready for a game-changing snacking experience with the world’s best homemade treat. These scrumptious apple raisin muffins boast an irresistible combination of texture and flavor, making them effortlessly storable and freezer-friendly. Ditch the need to break out your wallet at theme parks or lakeside gatherings – these moist and delicious morsels will be your new go-to snack solution.
Crab Apple Hot Pepper Jelly
Indulge in a rich glass of milk while you savor the bold flavors of this scorching hot jelly. Whether used as a marinade for pork or chicken, or paired with cream cheese and crackers as an appetizer, this spicy spread is sure to leave you feeling warm and eager for more.
Crab Apple Pie
This iconic pie deserves special mention. Its rich, deep-dish flavor profile is not for those who prefer subtle desserts. The clever combination of brown sugar in both the crust and filling creates an intensely addictive treat that’s sure to leave you reaching for a second helping – or two – and possibly requiring the assistance of a trusty spoon companion.
Crab Apple Strawberry Tart
It’s time to put our previous conversation about strawberries behind us. Instead, let’s focus on this delightful fruit tart recipe, which boasts a unique combination of textures. The crispy yet doughy crust serves as the perfect accompaniment to its open center, where juicy crab apple, sweet strawberry, and crunchy sliced almonds come together in harmony.
