There’s just something about fall that makes the kitchen feel extra cozy. The air is crisp, apples are everywhere, and it’s the perfect time to invite your preschooler to bake with you. Simple apple recipes are not only delicious but also a fun way to spend time together, sneak in some learning, and make sweet memories along the way.
Why Baking Is Educational
Baking with preschoolers is so much more than making something delicious. Measuring and counting ingredients introduces math. Watching apples soften and bubble teaches science. Stirring, scooping, and crimping help develop fine motor skills. Reading recipes and talking through each step builds language and sequencing skills. Plus, working together teaches patience, cooperation, and responsibility.
Tips to Make the Baking Session Joyful
- Get organized ahead of time: Have all ingredients measured out so you and your child aren’t scrambling.
- Kid-friendly tools: Use safe knives, small mixing bowls, child-size spoons, something they can hold and use easily.
- Let your preschooler have choices: Which apple variety to use (Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith)? Topping options? This gives ownership.
- Focus on process, not perfection: The look isn’t the point; the fun and learning are. Celebrate the smells, the mixing, the tasting.
- Make cleanup part of the lesson: Washing bowls, wiping spills, putting ingredients away, these build responsibility and help with order.
THE RECIPES
Apple Pie
Ingredients:
- 2 refrigerated pie crusts (or homemade if you prefer)
- 6–7 medium apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
- ¾ cup sugar
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg (optional)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp butter, cut into small pieces
- 1 egg (for egg wash, optional)
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Roll out one pie crust into a 9-inch pie pan.
- In a large bowl, mix apples, sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice until apples are coated.
- Pour apple mixture into pie crust. Dot with butter.
- Place second pie crust on top. Trim and crimp edges. Cut small slits in the top for steam to escape.
- Brush top with beaten egg if desired.
- Bake 50–60 minutes, until crust is golden and filling is bubbling.
- Cool at least 30 minutes before slicing.
What the Preschooler Can Do:
- Help wash the apples.
- Place peeled apple slices into the bowl.
- Stir sugar, flour, and spices into the apples.
- Pour apple filling into the pie crust.
- Crimp the edges of the pie with a fork.
Apple Cinnamon Muffins
Ingredients:
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup melted butter or oil
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 cup finely chopped apples
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line muffin pan.
- Mix dry ingredients in one bowl.
- In another, whisk wet ingredients. Combine both.
- Stir in apples. Scoop into muffin cups.
- Bake 18–20 minutes.
What the Preschooler Can Do:
- Measure flour and sugar.
- Stir dry ingredients.
- Scoop batter into muffin cups.
Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
Ingredients:
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 2 cups milk or water (or a mix of both)
- 1 medium apple, peeled and chopped
- 1–2 tbsp brown sugar or maple syrup
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg (optional)
- Pinch of salt
- Toppings: extra apple slices, raisins, chopped nuts, or a drizzle of honey
Directions:
- In a medium saucepan, bring milk or water to a boil.
- Add oats, apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5–7 minutes, stirring often, until oats are soft and apples are tender.
- Stir in brown sugar or maple syrup.
- Scoop into bowls and add toppings if desired.
What the Preschooler Can Do:
- Help measure oats and milk.
- Add chopped apples and cinnamon to the pot.
- Stir the oatmeal (with supervision since the pot is hot).
- Sprinkle toppings like raisins, nuts, or extra cinnamon on their bowl.
Applesauce
Ingredients:
- 6 medium apples, peeled, cored, and chopped
- ½ cup water
- 2–3 tbsp sugar (optional, adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp cinnamon (optional)
Directions:
- Place apples, water, sugar, and cinnamon in a medium saucepan.
- Cover and simmer over medium heat for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until apples are soft.
- Mash with a fork or potato masher for chunky applesauce, or blend with an immersion blender for smooth applesauce.
- Let cool before serving. Store leftovers in the fridge.
What the Preschooler Can Do:
- Help wash the apples.
- Place apple pieces into the pot.
- Sprinkle in sugar and cinnamon.
- Mash the cooked apples with a fork or masher once they’re soft.
Apple Pancakes
Ingredients:
- 1 cup flour
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 1 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1 grated apple
Directions:
- Mix dry ingredients in a bowl.
- Whisk milk and egg, then stir in apple.
- Combine wet and dry.
- Cook pancakes on a greased skillet until golden.
What the Preschooler Can Do:
- Measure flour and milk.
- Stir ingredients.
- Help pour batter onto skillet (with adult supervision).
Caramel Apples
Ingredients:
- 6 small apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work well)
- 6 wooden sticks (popsicle sticks or craft sticks)
- 1 (11 oz) bag of soft caramels, unwrapped
- 2 tbsp milk or heavy cream
- Optional toppings: crushed nuts, sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, crushed graham crackers
Directions:
- Wash and thoroughly dry apples. Insert a wooden stick into the top of each apple.
- In a saucepan, melt caramels with milk over low heat, stirring constantly until smooth.
- Dip each apple into the caramel, turning to coat evenly.
- Roll in toppings if desired, then place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Chill in the fridge for 20–30 minutes until set.
What the Preschooler Can Do:
- Wash and dry the apples.
- Help unwrap the caramels.
- Stir toppings into bowls and choose their favorite.
- Roll caramel-coated apples in sprinkles or nuts.
Apple Juice
Ingredients:
- 6–8 medium apples, washed and chopped (no need to peel)
- 4 cups water
- 2–3 tbsp sugar or honey (optional, to taste)
- ½ tsp cinnamon (optional, for flavor)
Directions:
- Place chopped apples and water in a large pot.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20–25 minutes until apples are very soft.
- Mash apples gently with a spoon or potato masher.
- Pour mixture through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a large bowl or pitcher.
- Add sugar or honey if desired, and stir well. Chill before serving.
What the Preschooler Can Do:
- Help wash the apples.
- Place apple chunks into the pot.
- Sprinkle in cinnamon or sugar.
- Stir the finished juice once cooled.
Apple Cider
Ingredients:
- 10–12 medium apples, quartered (mix of sweet and tart varieties works best)
- 1 orange, quartered (optional)
- 3–4 cinnamon sticks
- 1 tbsp whole cloves
- 1 tbsp whole allspice (optional)
- ½–1 cup brown sugar (adjust to taste)
- 10–12 cups water
Directions:
- Place apples, orange, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and allspice in a large pot.
- Cover with water and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 2 hours.
- Mash fruit with a potato masher to release flavors.
- Simmer another 30–40 minutes.
- Strain through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a clean pot or pitcher.
- Stir in brown sugar while cider is warm. Serve hot or chilled.
What the Preschooler Can Do:
- Help wash apples and oranges.
- Place fruit and spices into the pot.
- Stir in sugar once the cider is strained and cooled slightly.
- Help ladle cooled cider into mugs.
Apple Chips
Ingredients:
- 2–3 medium apples
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp sugar (optional)
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 225°F.
- Wash and thinly slice apples into very thin rounds (remove seeds).
- Place slices on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single layer.
- Sprinkle lightly with cinnamon and sugar.
- Bake for 1–2 hours, flipping halfway, until crisp.
- Cool completely before eating.
What the Preschooler Can Do:
- Help wash the apples.
- Place apple slices on the baking sheet.
- Sprinkle cinnamon and sugar on top.
Apple Butter
Ingredients:
- 6–8 medium apples, peeled, cored, and chopped
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg (optional)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup water
Directions:
- Place apples, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and water into a slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on low for 8–10 hours or high for 4–5 hours until apples are very soft.
- Blend with an immersion blender until smooth.
- Cook uncovered for another 30–60 minutes until thickened.
- Cool and store in jars in the fridge.
What the Preschooler Can Do:
- Help wash and place apples into the slow cooker.
- Measure and add sugar and spices.
- Stir once cooled and help scoop into jars.
Dried Apples
Ingredients:
- 3–4 medium apples
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 cups water
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 200°F.
- Mix lemon juice with water in a bowl.
- Slice apples into thin rings or wedges and dip in lemon water to prevent browning.
- Place slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment.
- Bake for 2–3 hours, flipping halfway, until chewy and lightly crisp at the edges.
- Cool before storing in an airtight container.
What the Preschooler Can Do:
- Help dip apple slices into the lemon water.
- Place slices onto the baking sheet.
- Taste-test the finished dried apples!
If you bake just one apple recipe this season, let your preschooler help in every step. The learning that happens in your kitchen is just as sweet as the treat that comes out of the oven.
- Jeni
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