We must have come home with 30 pounds of apples after apple picking. That's my rough estimate, because after I made four apple pies (two double-crust and two streusel-topped), two apple cinnamon loaves, apple crisp (with maple dulce de leche instead of caramel), and applesauce, all of which required a total of about 15 pounds of apples, I still hadn't made a dent in the supply. I decided to make apple cider doughnuts, but I switched from my regular recipe and used one that didn't require any apples, so that didn't help diminish the supply but still made for a nice fall treat. Then I came across this amazing brown butter apple crisp skillet muffin bread and I made it right away, using up a couple more apples. Another went into a tuna melt. And I've still got a drawerful left!
I have definitely enjoyed making all sorts of apple things -- some we've eaten right away and some I've filled the freezer with -- so I don't mind that we picked so many apples.
I made lots of pies because I found some great tips on King Arthur Flour's website about freezing unbaked pies. Thanksgiving is coming and other occasions could pop up that require a pie, so I thought it would be helpful to get a bunch done at once. Of course, I baked one the night I made them all because it's really hard to make apple pie and not have any to eat. But I ended up freezing another three. I may still end up making more if I can reorganize the freezer enough to fit them in.
The apple cinnamon loaves are one of my favorite things that I made during this whole apple baking escapade. They have this soft tender dough and a cobblestone appearance. I sliced one loaf and ate the slices toasted and buttered for breakfast one week. I sliced the other loaf, double-wrapped it, and put it in the freezer. It's destined for French toast.
I definitely recommend trying any of the recipes I've linked to above, and I'd love to know some of your favorite apple recipes. Maybe they'll inspire me!