“And there was never an apple, in Adam’s opinion, that wasn’t worth the trouble you got into for eating it.” – Good Omens (Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett)

Today is the first day of Autumn, and one way you can celebrate is with apples!

Apples have long been harbingers of fall, heralding bluer-than-blue skies and chilly nights with crystal stars.

Just a whiff of apple conjures visions of brightly colored leaves and apple cider.

Apples even predate Pumpkin Spice as a symbol of Fall. Fortunately, in this wonderful world we live in, we don’t have to choose! We can have both!

Apples are incredibly healthy – loads of fiber, Vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants.

And they are – comparatively – inexpensive compared to other fruits.

So experiment a little this Fall. Taste a new apple variety (or two, or three). And elevate your Autumn cooking by trying some apple recipes – everything from sauce, to salad, to soup and mains, to dessert.

Here are six of my very favorite apple recipes I’ve shared on my blog over the years. Click on the name of the recipe above the picture or any text in ORANGE to be taken to the recipe.

Autumn Apple Spice Cake

This extremely easy-to-make coffee cake was a standard Autumn dessert growing up. It may have had something to do with the fact we had an abundant Granny Smith apple tree right in the backyard! (I used to climb to the very top of that tree to pick apples, then be afraid to come down!) This cake is super moist and full of fall spices – cinnamon, ginger, allspice. Heck, it’s worth baking just because it makes your house smell so fantastic!

“Tempeh” Chicken Salad With Autumn Fruit and Nuts

This is a vegan take on “Wine Country” chicken salad. Tempeh is subbed for chicken (if you’ve never tried tempeh chicken salad before, you MUST!) Then apples, grapes, and nuts are added. If you’re feeling elegant, serve it on a lettuce leaf on your thrift-store china. Or just pile it high on a bun for an amazing sandwich.

Tal Ronnen’s Spiked Applesauce

We all need a good applesauce recipe in our arsenals. This applesauce-with-brandy recipe from superstar vegan chef Tal Ronnen is a great one to try. Don’t have/want brandy? Just sub with two tablespoons of apple juice or apple cider.

Stuffed Acorn Squash With Apples and Indian Spices

Pumpkin Spice Ladies should love this easy apple main! Acorn squash is stuffed with apples and raisins, then sprinkled with garam masala (which has warm spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg).

Sweet and Spicy Butternut Squash And Apple Soup

This thick and creamy butternut and apple soup has a tiny bite from fresh ginger, a sweet brightness from the apples, and warm, comforting, autumnal spices from the garam masala blend.

Waldorf Salad

No list of apple recipes would be complete without Waldorf Salad. This classic fruit salad is made from apples, nuts, and grapes or raisins. Usually it was served only on special occasions – then, when I became an adult, I suddenly realized I COULD MAKE THIS ANY TIME I WANTED! It is a great side or light “dessert” to Autumn’s richer, heartier meals.

Do you have a favorite Autumn apple recipe you make every fall?