Apple picking with a couple of recipes

A couple of weeks ago, we traveled a little north to an apple orchard to pick apples. We have picked many different types of fruit and vegetables but never apples. There is nothing quite like an apple(or any fruit for that matter) right off the tree. 

We met a few of our homeschool friends there.

We picked Granny Smith and Arkansas Black. We have never had an Arkansas Black so I wasn't sure how we would like them.  I picked one off the tree and devoured it!  After that, I was kicking myself for not picking up 2 baskets. Luckily for me, they had baskets and boxes for sale back at store. I ended up purchasing a box with a combination of Granny Smith, Arkansas Black and Golden Delicious along with a basket of peaches. I don't know why but I forgot to get a picture of all the apples we bought home. I realized this halfway through cutting them into slices.

Imagine this times 6!

We had a tailgate party at church so I made Apple Fritter Cake. It was delicious!!!!!

Next up was 12 pint size jars of apple pie filling. I followed this recipe. Let me share with you 2 tips I learned from making apple pie filling. 

1. Go ahead and order clear jel online. I went to 4 different stores trying to find this stuff and no one had it.  It is different than Sure Jell. According to all the comments I read, cornstarch is a big no no when canning apple pie filling. 

2. Make sure you stir your ingredients before putting them on the stove and constantly while its cooking. The clear jel will clump if not stirred well!

After eating many apples, I had intentions on trying a few more apple recipes. Due to ballgames and going out of town, I had to freeze the rest. I followed this for freezing. The tip on soaking the apples in salt worked well!