Fall equals apple season, and we are here for it. Whether you’ve got a bag fresh from the orchard or just grabbed a few at the store, apples are the MVP of cozy weather. They can be sweet, tart, baked, or even turned into a science project (yes, really).
We’ve rounded up four can’t-miss apple recipes from our Macaroni KID archives, from a family-famous cake to a snack your kids can make all by themselves. We also added in one easy, fizzy, apple-tastic experiment that’s guaranteed to wow your little scientists.
 Veselova Elena | Canva |
1. Caramel & Granola Apple Nachos
Turn apples into a snack that feels like dessert! These apple nachos are crunchy, gooey, and fun to pile high with toppings.
Ingredients:
- Apples (slice ’em thin)
- Caramel sauce (to help the other toppings stick)
- Granola
- Mini chocolate chips
Other topping combos to try:
- Peanut Butter + Pretzels
- Berry + Yogurt
- Maple + Pecans
- S’mores Style 🍫🔥
Directions:
- Wash, core, and slice apples into thin wedges.
- Spread half the slices on a serving plate.
- Drizzle with caramel and sprinkle on toppings.
- Add the rest of the apple slices and repeat the drizzle + sprinkle.
- Serve immediately before the apples brown ... and before anyone else eats all the good toppings.
 Whitney Wright | Macaroni KID |
2. Jewish Apple Cake
This is not your average cake. Whitney Wright grew up with this recipe — her mom made it, and now she bakes it with her own kids after a trip to the orchard. It’s one of those “tastes like home” recipes you’ll want to keep forever.
Fun fact: Jewish Apple Cake is made with oil instead of butter, which makes it dairy-free. That’s why it became a favorite for Jewish holidays like Rosh Hashanah … but we feel like it's too good to save for once a year.
Ingredients:
Apple mixture:
- 6 medium apples, peeled, cored, and chopped into ½-inch pieces
- 5 Tbsp sugar
- 2 Tbsp cinnamon
Cake batter:
- 2¾ cups flour, sifted
- 1 Tbsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 cup canola or vegetable oil
- ¼ cup orange juice
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 4 eggs
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a bundt, tube, or angel food cake pan.
- Toss apples with sugar and cinnamon. Set aside.
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
- Whisk sugar, oil, orange juice, and vanilla. Stir into dry mixture until combined.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each.
- Spoon a thin layer of batter into pan, add apples, and continue layering. End with apples on top.
- Bake about 90 minutes, until a skewer comes out clean.
- Cool to room temp before slicing.
One bite and you’ll understand why this cake has been passed down for generations.
@macaronikidnational Easy science magic 💫 The kids were obsessed!
🍏 Bonus: Exploding Apple Experiment!
Because apples aren’t just for eating. This simple science experiment turns an ordinary apple into a fizzing volcano — and your kids will be obsessed.
Supplies:
Partially cored apples
Baking soda
Dish soap
Vinegar
Pie dish/baking pan
Optional: food coloring or apple pie spice
Directions:
1. Place a partially cored apple in a pie dish.
2. Fill with baking soda and dish soap.
3. Pour vinegar in and watch it erupt.
4. Add more vinegar for extra fizz.
Optional: add coloring or spice.
Final tip: Works with pumpkins too — or try sealing in a bag for a bigger surprise.
 Baileys Table | Canva |
3. Apple Crisp
This one checks every fall comfort food box: warm, sweet, crunchy, and it makes your whole house smell amazing. Top it with vanilla ice cream and it’s game over.
Ingredients:
- 5 medium apples, peeled and diced
- 1 cup flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 egg
- ⅓ cup butter, melted
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Place apples into a greased pie pan.
- Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
- Add egg and stir until crumbly.
- Sprinkle mixture over apples.
- Pour melted butter over the top.
- Bake 30 minutes, until topping is golden brown.
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.
 Rimma Bondarenko | Canva |
4. Cinnamon Apple Baked French Toast
Weekend brunch just got an upgrade. Prep this the night before or toss it together in the morning. Either way, your house will smell amazing, and your family will ask for seconds.
Ingredients:
- 1 loaf French bread or sourdough, cubed
- 2–3 apples, peeled and diced
- 8 eggs
- 2 cups milk
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup sugar
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1½ tsp cinnamon
Directions:
- Grease a 9x13 dish. Add bread and apples.
- Whisk eggs, milk, cream, sugars, vanilla, and cinnamon.
- Pour over bread and apples.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight (or bake right away).
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Bake 35–40 minutes, until set and golden.
- Cool slightly, drizzle with syrup, and serve warm.
🍂 Make This Your Apple Season
So there you have it: a snack your kids can whip up, a cake with history, a crisp that screams comfort food, a French toast that doubles as breakfast or dessert, and a messy science experiment for extra fun.
Your mission: Pick one, grab some apples, and make it happen this week!
