Apples were ready for cider pressing at Sweny’s Godfrey Run Farm Aug. 27.
JENNIE GEISLER/ERIE TIMES-NEWS
USA TODAY Network, Reuters
Apples rule the produce section this time of year. But instead of throwing the same one into your lunchbox every day, have fun with them after a quick trip to an Erie-area grocery store or farm stand.
You don’t have to be crafty to use any of these tricks for treats. Consider: They make adorable vases, potpourri, sauce, spread and, yes, even unique fall drinking cups.
1. Whole candied apples
Need at the grocery store: wooden sticks, caramel, chocolate to melt in a pot, sprinkles, chopped peanuts.
To do: Shove sticks into the bottom center of the apple until almost at the top. Dip in caramel dip, melted chocolate and decorate with sprinkels, if desired.
2. Cinnamon-apple hand pies
Need at the store: Canned apple pie filling, refrigerated pie crust, egg to beat and brush on crust, sugar for sprinkling, cinnamon.
Instructions: Using any size round cutter, such as a glass, bowl or biscuit cutter, unroll the pie crust and cut into circles. Reroll the crust and make more circles until crust is used up. Place 2-4 tablespoons pie filling on each circle, leaving a 1/4-inch edge. Rub water or eggs around the edges of the circle and fold it in half. Use a fork to crimp edges together. Paint tops with water or beaten egg. Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar and cook them in an air-fryer at 400 for 8 minutes, or bake in 375-degree oven for 20 minutes or until crust is golden brown.
3. Applesauce
Need at store: A variety of 10 to 12 apples, 1 to 2 cups sugar, apple pie spice or ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, apple juice (optional).
To do: Slice and core apples, leaving the skin on to preserve fiber and other nutrients. Add slices and a 1/4 cup water or apple juice, if using, to a 2-quart pot. Bring to a boil and add sugar, stirring until dissolved. Apples should start to fall apart. Add seasonings and stir in. Allow to cool some before enjoying.
4. Apple butter
Need at the store: A variety of 10 to 12 apples, 1 to 2 cups sugar, apple pie spice or ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, apple juice (optional).
To do: Repeat instructions for applesauce, but let it cook in a slow-cooker on low for up to 24 hours, stirring occasionally. It will turn dark brown. Pour, warm or cold, over vanilla ice cream, cottage cheese or spread on toast. Apple butter is also good on apple pancakes and as a nutritious substitute for maple syrup.
5. Apple taste test
Need at the store: One each of a variety of five to 10 apples, caramel dip or peanut butter for munching apple slices after activity.
To do: Peel and slice apples so that their varieties are not obvious to the tester. If necessary, blindfold testers and have them describe and guess which variety they’re eating. They can score the apple on how much they like it on a scale of 1 to 5, or make them compete to see who can name the most varieties.
6. Apple air freshener
Need at the store: Three or four of any apple slices, half-gallon of apple cider, cinnamon sticks, cloves and oranges (just need peels.)
To do: Slice and core apples, add them to 4 cups of water or cider (or water or apple juice) to a 2-quart pot and bring to a simmer. Add cinnamon sticks, cloves and oranges to the water and allow aroma to fill your home. Keep an eye on the pot to make sure it doesn’t go dry.
7. Apple mini-vases
Need at the store: As many of the largest apples you can find as you want to create arrangements; fresh seasonal flowers, such as mums or small sunflowers.
To do: Using a knife and then a spoon, dig the flesh and core of apples, leaving a ¼- to a ½-inch thick hull. (Save the pulp and boil it down into applesauce with spices. See idea No. 3.) Pour in about a ¼ cup fresh water and arrange flowers and foliage as desired. Make nice place settings at holiday dinners.
8. Fall-themed barware
Need at the store: As many of the largest apples you can find as you want to create cups; ingredients for mocktails or cocktails, such as cider and caramel-flavored vodka, or mulled cider or wine. Don’t forget sturdy picks for apple-chunk garnishes.
If you want, try a Poisoned Apple, include 1 tablespoon apple pie or apple liqueur, 1 tablespoon bourbon, 2 tablespoons ginger beer (which is nonalcoholic), ice, and pomegranate juice or Grenadine to add just before serving.
To do: Using a knife and then a spoon, dig the flesh and core of apples, leaving a ¼- to a ½-inch thick hull. (Save the pulp and boil it down into applesauce with spices. See idea No. 3.) Build the cocktail in the apple hull, topping with pomegranate juice or Grenadine. Garnish with an apple chunk on a sturdy drink pick.
Contact Jennie Geisler at jgeisler@timesnews.com. Find her weekly newsletter at https://profile.goerie.com/newsletters/erielicious/.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: 8 things grocery stores can help you do with apples
Reporting by Jennie Geisler, Erie Times-News / Erie Times-News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Sure signs of the beginning of fall include fresh apples, such as Zestar, Jersey Macs, Ginger Golds and Honeycrisps, at Godfrey Run Farm in Lake City. JENNIE GEISLER/ERIE TIMES-NEWS USA TODAY Network, Reuters
Copyright Reuters or USA Today via Reuters Connect
This story was originally published October 18, 2026 at 5:08 AM.