Fall equals apple season, and we are here for it. Whether you’ve got a bag fresh from the orchard or just grabbed a few at the store, apples are the MVP of cozy weather. They can be sweet, tart, baked, or even turned into a science project (yes, really).
We’ve rounded up four can’t-miss apple recipes from our Macaroni KID archives, from a family-famous cake to a snack your kids can make all by themselves. We also added in one easy, fizzy, apple-tastic experiment that’s guaranteed to wow your little scientists.
 Veselova Elena | Canva |
1. Caramel & Granola Apple Nachos
Turn apples into a snack that feels like dessert! These apple nachos are crunchy, gooey, and fun to pile high with toppings.
Ingredients:
- Apples (slice ’em thin)
- Caramel sauce (to help the other toppings stick)
- Granola
- Mini chocolate chips
Other topping combos to try:
- Peanut Butter + Pretzels
- Berry + Yogurt
- Maple + Pecans
- S’mores Style 🍫🔥
Directions:
- Wash, core, and slice apples into thin wedges.
- Spread half the slices on a serving plate.
- Drizzle with caramel and sprinkle on toppings.
- Add the rest of the apple slices and repeat the drizzle + sprinkle.
- Serve immediately before the apples brown ... and before anyone else eats all the good toppings.
 Whitney Wright | Macaroni KID |
2. Jewish Apple Cake
This is not your average cake. Whitney Wright grew up with this recipe — her mom made it, and now she bakes it with her own kids after a trip to the orchard. It’s one of those “tastes like home” recipes you’ll want to keep forever.
Fun fact: Jewish Apple Cake is made with oil instead of butter, which makes it dairy-free. That’s why it became a favorite for Jewish holidays like Rosh Hashanah … but we feel like it's too good to save for once a year.
Ingredients:
Apple mixture:
- 6 medium apples, peeled, cored, and chopped into ½-inch pieces
- 5 Tbsp sugar
- 2 Tbsp cinnamon
Cake batter:
- 2¾ cups flour, sifted
- 1 Tbsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 cup canola or vegetable oil
- ¼ cup orange juice
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 4 eggs
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a bundt, tube, or angel food cake pan.
- Toss apples with sugar and cinnamon. Set aside.
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
- Whisk sugar, oil, orange juice, and vanilla. Stir into dry mixture until combined.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each.
- Spoon a thin layer of batter into pan, add apples, and continue layering. End with apples on top.
- Bake about 90 minutes, until a skewer comes out clean.
- Cool to room temp before slicing.
One bite and you’ll understand why this cake has been passed down for generations.
🍏 Bonus: Exploding Apple Experiment!
Because apples aren’t just for eating. This simple science experiment turns an ordinary apple into a fizzing volcano — and your kids will be obsessed.
Supplies:
Partially cored apples
Baking soda
Dish soap
Vinegar
Pie dish/baking pan
Optional: food coloring or apple pie spice
Directions:
1. Place a partially cored apple in a pie dish.
2. Fill with baking soda and dish soap.
3. Pour vinegar in and watch it erupt.
4. Add more vinegar for extra fizz.
Optional: add coloring or spice.
Final tip: Works with pumpkins too — or try sealing in a bag for a bigger surprise.
