5 Baking apples to use in all your favourite recipes

By / Food / October 6th, 2020 / 3
baking apples types

Do you enjoy the crunchy and tart taste of Granny Smith apples? Or are you more of a fan of the sour and crisp Red Delicious? There are over 7,500 types of apples grown worldwide, but you’ll only find a small selection of these in your local grocery. They may all look delicious in the produce aisle, but some of these apples are better for snacking on while others hold their shape better when baking. These five apple types will maximize the taste and texture of your recipes this autumn.

Honeycrisp

Honeycrisp apples originated at the University of Minnesota in 1991 as a cross between a Keepsake apple and an unknown variety. Although they’re relatively new, they’ve quickly become one of the most popular apples on the market. As their name suggests, they have a sweet taste and a crunchy texture.

Use in apple dumplings, apple crisp and Tarte Tatin.

Cripps Pink (Pink Lady)

Cripps Pink apples are recognizable by the pink hue of their skin. John Cripps first developed them in Australia about 40 years ago by crossing a Golden Delicious with a Lady Williams. They’re now popular worldwide for their tart taste and crisp texture.

Use in apple pie, apple sauce and apple strudel.

Granny Smith

Granny Smith apples date back to the 1800s in Australia and remain popular around the world today. They have one of the tartest tastes and best versatility of any variety. You can use Granny Smith apples for snacking, baking or as a topper on your salads.

Use in Southern fried apples, apple upside-down cake and apple cobbler.

Cortland

Cortland apples grow widely throughout Eastern Canada and in New York state. Their name comes from Cortland County, New York, near where they were first developed in 1898. They’re one of the most popular apples in North America for their juiciness, sweet flavour and snowy white flesh.

Use in apple pie, apple cobbler and apple crisp.

Golden Delicious

Golden Delicious apples are easy to identify by their uniquely yellow skin. They’re another variety developed in North America. Their lineage can be traced back to West Virginia in 1912. Despite their name, they aren’t related to the Red Delicious. Golden Delicious apples fall somewhere in the middle of the tart-sweet spectrum. Like Granny Smith, they’re incredibly versatile. They can be used for baking, snacking or as a side on a cheese plate.

Use in baked apples, apple cake and apple cobbler.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Daniel Yetman is a freelance writer who left the shores of Nova Scotia to pursue his MFA in Writing at the University of Saskatchewan. When he’s not binging on dark chocolate and kimchi, he’s jetting around the world to try the local cuisine.

One response to “5 Baking apples to use in all your favourite recipes”

  1. […] Not sure which apples to pick? Daniel Yetman shares 5 Baking apples to use in your recipes. […]

North America’s Longest Running Food & Wine Magazine

Get Quench-ed!!!

Champion storytellers & proudly independent for over 50 years. Free Weekly newsletter & full digital access