Apple Pie Latte

After our apple gathering adventure, we loaded our baskets in the back of the car and drove around for an hour or so in search of the perfect picnic locale.  Siri was of no assistance, other than providing entertainment through her sassy remarks - but eventually, we selected a spot and descended upon the verdant field with our blankets, games, apples, cheese, flowers, and, of course, cider.  Uproarious laughter and card-playing was followed by lots of snacking and many cups of crisp, cold cider.  We lived Autumn to the fullest that day.

Apple Pie Latte {Pedantic Foodie} 
Photographs by Matthew Dejesus

I love cider.  Hot, cold, or in slushy form, I’m always game for a cup of appley nectar.

Last year, on a rainy, Fall morning, my (now finance) and I ducked into a local cafe for a cup of hot cider.  Our attention was quickly diverted from the cider as three little words captured our interest.  “Hot Apple Pie.”

Apple Pie Latte {Pedantic Foodie}

It was a drink, a non-coffee, latte of sorts and though it sounded promising, it was too early to be daring, and I opted for a simple cup of hot cider as my companion bravely ordered a slice of pie in latte form.  “Ohmygoodness!” was my only response after sampling a sip of this drink.  It tasted exactly like apple pie with vanilla ice cream.  Lightly spiced, very appley, with a hint of cream and vanilla.  I immediately regretted my lack of courage and decided then and there that I needed to dream up my own version of this strangely wonderful drink.

Apple Pie Latte {Pedantic Foodie}

Several days ago, I finally attempted my own variation of Hot Apple Pie at home and now I have a serious problem because I cannot possibly choose between apple pie lattes and spicy pumpkin hot chocolate.  Maybe one with breakfast and the other in the evening?  That might work.  I don’t like to show favoritism, even if it costs me my waistline. 

This is why I’m not going wedding dress shopping until after the holidays.  After all the turkey, rolls, stuffing, mashed potatoes, pies, and cookies... You get the idea. 

Apple Pie Latte {Pedantic Foodie}

This drink begins with apple cider.  However, we are boiling down our apple cider with some sugar and spices and making a wonderfully, thick, super concentrated syrup.  I have been daydreaming about pouring this stuff over pumpkin waffles.  Yeahhh… I think that will be happening very soon.

While the syrup is cooling a bit, steam some milk with vanilla extract and find the batteries for your buzzy frothing thing.  You know, that thing.  P.S. What happens to batteries anyways?

Fill two glasses with your cider syrup and top with your frothy vanilla milk and a sprinkle of ground cinnamon.  See how easy that was?  It’s almost embarrassing.  

Go ahead, drink some pie this week. 

Sincerely,

Pedantic Foodie

Apple Pie Latte

serves 2

  • 3 cups spiced apple cider*
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar 
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

Combine cider and spices in a medium saucepan and place over medium heat.  Bring to a boil, then boil for 30-40 minutes, until the cider has reduced down to 1 cup.  

In a small saucepan combine milk and vanilla extract, and cook over medium heat until steaming.  Use an electric frother to froth the milk until airy.  

Pour half of the reduced cider into each cup and top with milk.  Stir gently and dust with ground cinnamon (optional).  Enjoy immediately.  

*I used a spiced cider, but if you would like to use regular cider, just double the amount of ground spices.

{The 1st Meal} Apple + Oat Cereal

I love cereal.  I don’t really understand this part of myself because, to be perfectly candid, I’m quite a snob when it comes to what I put in my mouth and cereal isn't exactly gourmet.  Does buying the organic cereal that gives part of their profits to saving animals make it more posh?  Nah… Not really.

Apple + Oat Cereal {Pedantic Foodie}

But gosh, I love a bowl of crunchy cereal with icy cold milk.  Strangely enough, my cereal cravings generally do not arrive until about 8:36 in the evening when I’m working (read: watching The Great British Baking Show).  In the morning, I’m more of a toast and eggs kind of lady.

Apple + Oat Cereal {Pedantic Foodie}

However, this cereal, which is absolutely homemade and 100% healthful AND delicious, I could eat all day long. 

Apple + Oat Cereal {Pedantic Foodie}

First, you are going to need to make a batch of apple chips.  Slice them thin, place on a baking sheet and then walk away.  Don’t go too far though, because in an hour you'll have a tray full of crisp, golden, apple chips.

Apple + Oat Cereal {Pedantic Foodie}

Though the apples are the star player in this recipe, they do not make up the entire granola team.  We are also using dried pineapple, pecans, oats, and cinnamon to add a variety of textures and flavors to our fancy homemade cereal.  A party in a bowl, if you will. 

Apple + Oat Cereal {Pedantic Foodie}

Oh yeah, now we are going to cover the whole thing in maple syrup.  It’s Fall, we should be covering everything in maple syrup.

Apple + Oat Cereal {Pedantic Foodie}

The apples and pineapple are sweet and chewy while the pecans are rich and crunchy.  It’s the best kind of balance. 

Apple + Oat Cereal {Pedantic Foodie}

A splash of cold, whole milk. Or cream, if you're feeling indulgent.  I'm always feeling indulgent.  

Apple + Oat Cereal {Pedantic Foodie}

Breakfast is served.  Happy weekend.

Sincerely, 

  Pedantic Foodie

Apple & Oat Cereal

makes about 4 cups

for the apple chips

  • 1 large sweet apple

Cut apple into paper-thin slices using a mandolin slicer.  Lay the slices out unto a baking sheet lined with parchment and bake for 40-60 minutes, until the edges are crisp and the flesh is golden.  Allow to cool completely before storing.  

for the cereal

  • 1/2 cup maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
  • 1 cup apple chips, broken up into pieces
  • 1/2 cup dried pineapple, chopped into 1/2-inch pieces

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  

In a large bowl combine molasses, honey, salt, and cinnamon.  Stir in oats, pecans, apple chips, and dried pineapple.  Mix thoroughly until everything is well incorporated.  Spread granola out evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment.  Bake for 15-20 minutes minutes or until golden brown, stirring every 3-5 minutes*.  Allow to cool for 30-40 minutes before storing in airtight containers or serving.  Enjoy!  

*The apples can burn easily, so frequent stirring is important. 

Autumn, My Autumn... {APPLE PICKING}

We woke up early one Saturday morning.  It’s not really a chore when a day full of laughing, eating, and cider-drinking awaits.  I sat on my bedroom floor curling my hair with sleepy eyes and too-tired-to-be-nimble hands.  I grabbed a cup of coffee, packed up our picnic and my camera, and we set off.  

Autumn, My Autumn... {Pedantic Foodie}

We drove up a mountain -- the kind of mountain that makes your car scoot backwards each time you take your foot off the accelerator.  Thankfully, the promise of cider soothes the oncoming nausea.

Autumn, My Autumn... {Pedantic Foodie}

The orchard was bustling with eager families ready to fill their baskets with apples and their stomaches with doughnuts.  The grass was wet with the morning dew and the air was filled with every fragrance synonymous with autumn.  Sweet cider, spicy doughnuts, apple trees, and hay filled our senses.

Autumn, My Autumn... {Pedantic Foodie}

We walked past the crates of pre-picked apples that were far too pedestrian for our liking, and carried our baskets up the hill and to the trees which were heavy with newly ripened fruit.  We quietly expressed our frustration at the biggest, most beautiful apples always growing on the branches far above our 5’ 2’’ reach, and we laughed at our failed attempts to grasp them. 

That pretty lady?  She’s my Aunt Mere.  She’s adorable, hilarious, and just…endearing.  I love her.  My uncle, her husband, is a fantastically talented photographer who captured all the mischief of our day. 

I love apples.  I really, really do, but that is not necessarily why I insist upon going apple picking each and every year.  I go for the smells, the trees, and the charm of the entire experience.  

Autumn, My Autumn... {Pedantic Foodie}

It is a chance to live Autumn the way I imagine myself doing every day on my fanciful English estate.  You pick your own fruit leisurely, snacking often, drinking enough cider to make your stomach feel sloshy when you walk back down the hill, and return to bake with the (literal) fruits of your venture.

Autumn, My Autumn... {Pedantic Foodie}
Autumn, My Autumn... {Pedantic Foodie}

I wait all year for these slow, chilly, autumnal moments and this year’s certainly did not disappoint. 

Autumn, My Autumn... {Pedantic Foodie}

I have a refrigerator full of apples and a notebook full of recipes and I cannot wait to share them all with you!  In the meantime, however, here are a few of my past apple-y endeavors. 

Baked Brie with Caramelized Apples

Sweet Cinnamon and Apple Turnovers

Maple Apple Galette

Autumn, My Autumn... {Pedantic Foodie}

“Autumn...the year's last, loveliest smile.” 

- William Cullen Bryant 

 

Sincerely,

  Pedantic Foodie

All photographs by Matthew Dejesus