Mainely Martha

Fall is upon us…so let the baking begin! It is time for classic recipes like apple pie as well as a time to start trying new recipes before the holiday baking begins. And as always, I am blessed to have my sons to not only provide brutally honest feedback, but also to eat all of the baked goods so that I don’t! Although I don’t want to binge eat all of the baked goods, there is the warmth and aroma that fills the whole house that can fill you just as much, if not more, than eating the finished product. That’s not to say I don’t lick the bowl…I do need to test.

After baking pumpkin chocolate cookies, which are a fall favorite of the boys, I branched out to try a pumpkin chocolate chip brownie. The brownies won rave reviews; my youngest deeming them “amazing.” After hearing that, how could you not love baking?!?!??! And just think of the memories that are being created.

And as pie baking began last month during blueberry season, we are in full swing of fall pie baking; and first on tap…apple pie. Macintosh apples kicked off apple season, and now the cortlands and maccoons have followed. My mom made the absolute best apple pie and the secret (aside from a great flakey crust) is the mix of apples. Sure, you can use just macs, but if you want a great apple pie, mix the baking apples; specifically macs and cortlands. It is those little things that make a recipe go from good to great and it is also those little things that you don’t need to write down; the memories of baking that took place growing up and the “secrets” shared are the memories that last a lifetime.

Never underestimate the value of the little moments.