There’s something about apple-picking season that feels like a fresh start. The air gets crisp, the leaves crunch underfoot, and suddenly pumpkin-spiced everything is everywhere. But for my family, autumn always meant apples first.
Every year, my siblings and I would gather our families and head to the orchards. Depending on whose house was hosting the post-picking feast, we’d pile into cars and make our way either to Sussex County and Warwick, NY—or sometimes down to Hunterdon County. We started this tradition when my nieces were just little ones, and now they’re off creating their own memories with friends and families.
For me, it’s always been about the laughter between the trees, the apple-stained fingers, and that inevitable taste-test right there in the orchard. And of course—the baking.My Husband’s Sweet Spot ❤️
Now, my husband is not one for sweets. He can easily pass on chocolate, candy, and most desserts without a second glance. But apple pie? That’s his kryptonite. Especially if there’s vanilla ice cream melting on top. He’ll happily go for seconds.
When my sister Nancy—our family’s star baker—shared her apple pie recipe with me, I knew I had to try. Even though I don’t have her magic touch in the kitchen, I wanted to give it a go for him.
This year, I’m putting my own spin on it: an Apple Foldover. A little less fuss than a full pie, but with all the flavors that bring you back to apple-picking days.
Apple Foldover Recipe 🍏🍎
Ingredients
2 cups apples (Granny Smith for tartness + Gala for sweetness, peeled and diced)
2 Tbsp sugar
1 Tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp lemon juice
½ tsp cinnamon
ÂĽ tsp nutmeg
1 sheet puff pastry (thawed) or pie dough
1 egg (beaten, for egg wash)
1 Tbsp milk (for egg wash)
Coarse sugar
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Mix the filling: In a bowl, toss apples with sugar, brown sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Let sit for 5 minutes to get nice and juicy.
Prepare the pastry: Roll out puff pastry or pie dough on a floured surface. Cut into 6–8 squares.
Fill & fold: Spoon apple mixture into the center of each square. Fold over into a triangle (or rectangle), pressing edges with a fork to seal.
Egg wash: Brush tops with egg and milk mixture. Sprinkle with coarse sugar for a golden, sparkly finish.
Bake for 25–30 minutes, until golden brown and bubbling.
Cool slightly before serving (the filling will be hot!).
You do You:
Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream—or even a drizzle of caramel sauce if you’re feeling extra cozy. You can never go wrong with freshly whipped cream, Pile it high with all and more! De Lish!
A Bite of Memory
Every bite of these foldovers takes me back to those apple orchard afternoons with my family. Even if I’ll never out-bake Nancy, this recipe is simple, approachable, and filled with the flavors of our tradition. And if I can get my husband to go for seconds, I know I’ve done something right.
📸 The Time Audrey Got Popped
No family orchard trip is complete without a laugh. Our favorite? The year Audrey got popped in the head by a falling apple… not once, not twice, but three times in the same tree. It was a scene out of The Three Stooges. We still tease her about it every season, and it’s become one of those family legends that always gets retold between bites of pie.