This is the first year (that I can remember) that I have been able to pack in so many fall-centric activities into one weekend! Not only that, but much of the day was spent outside being casually active (walks, hikes, etc), which I love. It was all quite picturesque and despite the lack of food pics, I can assure you, each dish was awesome.

What we did:

• Apple picking
• Baked some pretty great apple dumplings with said apples
• Make your own pizza night Saturday & vegetable lasagna Sunday (…okay this can happy at any time of the year)
• Mid afternoon hike
• Driving around scenic New England appreciating the GORGEOUS foliage
• Homemade hot cider (with whiskey)…oh so good! Recipe courtesy of the beauties over at A Beautiful Mess.

Since it is still apple season, I thought I’d share a pretty great recipe I modified from Smitten Kitchen’s own “Mom’s Apple Cake”

Ingredients:

• 3 gala apples, peeled, cored and diced
• 3 golden delicious apples, peeled, cored and diced
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• 1 dash of nutmeg (~ 1/8 tsp)
• 5 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2/3 cup olive oil
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 2 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup walnuts, chopped

*I modified the recipe by reducing the amount of sugar and oil in addition to adding some whole wheat flour

directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a round pan with olive oil or cooking spray.
2. Prep apples and then toss with cinnamon and sugar. Set aside.
3. Stir together flour, baking powder and salt in a large mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, combine the oil, orange juice, sugar and vanilla. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ones and mix well.
4. Add eggs into the batter, stirring in one at a time. Make sure all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
5. Once the batter is prepped, pour half of it into the pan. Then spread half of the apple mixture over it. Pour the remaining batter over the apples and then arrange the remaining apples on top.
6. Bake for 1 1/2 hours, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
7. Once baked, remove from oven and cool completely before removing the cake from the pan.