Alright, let’s talk about bakin’ with them Red Delicious apples, ya hear? Folks keep askin’ if you can, and well, the answer ain’t so simple. It’s like askin’ if you can make a dress outta burlap. Sure you can, but is it gonna be the prettiest dress at the dance? Maybe not.
Now, some folks, them fancy bakers, they’ll tell ya, “Oh, no, you gotta use Granny Smiths, them green ones, ’cause they’re sour and hold up good in the heat.” And they ain’t wrong, them Granny Smiths are good for bakin’. They got that tartness that balances out the sugar, makes things taste right. But what if all you got is Red Delicious? You gonna let them apples go bad? Heck no!
- First thing you gotta know ’bout Red Delicious is they’re sweet. Real sweet. Sweeter than a baby’s smile, I tell ya.
- Second thing is, they’re kinda soft. Not like them hard green apples. So, they might get a bit mushy when you bake ’em.
But don’t you worry none. We can still make somethin’ tasty with them Red Delicious. You just gotta know what you’re doin’. It ain’t rocket science, it’s just apples.
So, what can you make? Well, I wouldn’t go makin’ no fancy apple pie with ’em, that’s for sure. That pie needs apples that hold their shape, ya know? But you can make things where a little mushiness ain’t a problem. Things like:
Apple Sauce: This is a good one. Red Delicious cook down real nice for applesauce. Just chop ’em up, throw ’em in a pot with a little water and some cinnamon, and let ’em simmer till they’re soft. Mash ’em up with a fork, and there you go! Sweet and easy applesauce.
Apple Butter: Similar to applesauce, but you cook it longer, till it gets real thick and dark. That sweetness of the Red Delicious works real well here. You can spread it on toast, biscuits, whatever you got.
Apple Cake or Muffins: Now, here’s where it gets a little tricky. If you’re gonna use Red Delicious in a cake or muffins, you gotta chop ’em up small, real small. And you might wanna add a little lemon juice or somethin’ tart to balance out the sweetness. Also, don’t overmix the batter, or you’ll end up with a tough cake. Nobody wants a tough cake.
Apple Crumble: This is another good option. The crumble topping hides the mushy apples, and the sweetness of the Red Delicious works well with the buttery, crumbly topping. Just make sure you add plenty of cinnamon and maybe a little nutmeg, too. Spices make everything better, that’s what I always say.
Some folks say you can use Red Delicious in things like apple pancakes or even apple bread. And I reckon you can, long as you keep in mind they’re sweet and soft. You might need to adjust the sugar in your recipe, add a little extra flour to soak up the moisture, that kind of thing. It’s all about adjusting, making do with what you’ve got.
So, the long and short of it is, yes, you can bake with Red Delicious apples. They might not be the best apples for baking, but they’ll do in a pinch. Just don’t expect ’em to hold their shape like them fancy green apples. And don’t be afraid to experiment a little. Baking ain’t an exact science, ya know? It’s more like… well, it’s more like makin’ do with what the good Lord gives ya.
And if someone tells you you can’t bake with Red Delicious, well, you just tell ’em that old lady down the road said you could. And that old lady knows a thing or two about makin’ do.
Remember, baking is about feeding your family and friends, making something warm and tasty to fill their bellies. It ain’t about following some fancy rules or using the perfect apple. It’s about making food with love and feeding people. It ain’t rocket science, just cook’n
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