Autumn is finally here! Soon enough the weather will turn to a crisp cold and and we will all be obligated to snack on warm delicious treats. Apples are in abundance this season and it’s time to put them to good use! Baking is a great way to spend rainy fall days, so here are a list of three simple recipes including everyone’s favorite fall fruit.

Apple Crisps

2 ½ cups apples

1 cup flour

1 cup sugar

½ teaspoon cinnamon

¼ teaspoon salt

½ cup butter (softened)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease an 8 inch square baking dish
2. Arrange apple slices evenly in prepared baking dish. Combine flour, sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl. Add butter, mix until mixture resembles coarse cornmeal; sprinkle over apples.
3. Bake in oven until topping is golden brown. 40 to 45 minutes. Cool slightly before cutting and serving

Caramel Apple Cookies

½ cup butter

1 ¼ cups brown sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon apple pie spice

¼ teaspoon salt

1 egg

½ cup apple juice or milk

2 ¼ cup flour

1 large apple (preferably granny smith)

3 tablespoons butter

2 ⅔ cups powdered sugar

½ cup finely chopped pecans (optional)

1. In a large mixing bowl beat 1/2 cup butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add 1-1/4 cups brown sugar, baking soda, apple pie spice, and salt. Beat until well combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in egg until well combined. Add 1/2 cup apple juice; beat on low speed until combined (mixture will look curdled). Beat in as much of the flours as you can with the mixer; stir in any remaining flour. Fold in apple.
2. Drop dough by slightly rounded teaspoons 2 inches apart onto parchment paper-lined cookie sheets. Bake in 350 degree F oven about 10 minutes or until tops are lightly browned. Let stand 2 minutes on cookie sheets. Transfer cookies to wire racks to cool.
3. In a small saucepan heat and stir 1/2 cup brown sugar, 3 tablespoons butter, and 3 tablespoons apple juice over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat. Whisk in powdered sugar. Spread frosting on cooled cookies and immediately sprinkle with pecans. If frosting begins to harden, stir in a small amount of apple juice to make spreading consistency. Makes about 3 dozen cookies.

Apple Oatmeal Bars ½ cup butter 1 cup brown sugar 2 ½ cups of oats 1 cup flour 2 teaspoons cinnamon 1 teaspoon vanilla ¼ cup applesauce 1 cup chopped walnuts

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking pan.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in the oats, flour, cinnamon, and vanilla. Fold in the applesauce and walnuts. Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan.
3. Bake 35 minutes in the preheated oven, until golden brown. Cool in pan, and cut into squares