Use up gluts of homegrown Apples, Pears, Plums & Crab Apples with these simple but delicious recipes
If you’ve got one fruit tree or more, you most likely have a glut of fruit ready for picking that you’re not sure what to do with (as there’s only so much you can give away to friends and family). You could enjoy a few fresh out-of-hand as a healthy snack, but as the weather cools down and we start to enter cosy season, we see it as the perfect time to get cooking up some homemade treats.
These recipes, put together by three fantastic UK food bloggers, have been tried and tested, and are perfect for getting the most out of your homegrown fruit. All easy-to-follow with only a handful of ingredients required, suitable for both those who are new to cooking and baking as well as those who consider themselves something of a pro in the kitchen.
Maybe you don’t have a fruit tree at all. If you’re on the fence about investing in your own, these recipes will be more than enough to convince you that growing your own fruit is one of the most rewarding and fruitful (pun intended) things you can do in the garden. Anyone with a fruit tree would agree that fruit just tastes better when it’s homegrown, and you don’t need a large garden to grow your own fruit either, as several fruit tree varieties are suited to smaller spaces, such as our range of patio fruit trees.
Read on for our top, easy recipes for making the most of homegrown fruit.
Apple Recipes
Homemade Toffee Apples for Halloween
By Daisies & Pie
Perfect for Halloween parties and Bonfire Night, an easy recipe that the kids will love, and it only takes 25 minutes. Most sweet eating apples would work, but we recommend using Cox Self-Fertile, Fiesta or Christmas Pippin.
Find the full recipe at Daisies & Pie
Autumn Apple Coleslaw
By Daisies & Pie
Simple to throw together but really tasty and full of veggies that all count towards your 5-a-day. Goes perfectly with pulled pork. Most tart eating apples would work, but we recommend Jonagold, Granny Smith or Greensleeves.
Find the full recipe at Daisies & Pie
Pear Recipes
Vegan Baked Spiced Pears
By Healthy Living James
A lovely little dessert for the colder months when you're after something healthier but equally as delicious. What's more is it's vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free. We recommend using Concorde pears, but you can use most other pears that hold their shape when cooked.
Find the full recipe at Healthy Living James
Apple & Pear Oat Topped Crumble
By Rachel's Recipe Pantry
A classic dish that combines an irresistible oat topping with the sweet and tart flavours of apples and pears. You can use most cooking apples and pears, but for a winning combination we'd recommend using Humbug pears and Bramley Seedling apples.
Find the full recipe at Rachel's Recipe Pantry
Crab Apple Recipes
Crab Apple Jelly
By Rachel's Recipe Pantry
This jelly only requires four ingredients and pairs beautifully with cheeses and cold meats, but can also be enjoyed on toast. We recommend large crab apple varieties for the best results such as Butterball, Golden Hornet, or Jelly King.
Find the full recipe at Rachel's Recipe Pantry
Plum Recipes
Plum & Almond Puff Pastry
By Rachel's Recipe Pantry
Combining tart plums and nutty almonds within a buttery, flaky puff pastry, this dessert has all the gourmet appeal but requires just a handful of simple ingredients. We recommend using Victoria plums, Jubilee plums or Herman plums.
Find the full recipe at Rachel's Recipe Pantry
Plum Compote with Yoghurt
By Daisies & Pie
Requiring just four ingredients, this delicious compote only takes 25 minutes to make and can be served in several ways. Dollop onto some pancakes or use in place of the jam layer in a Victoria sponge cake. We recommend Czar plums but you can use most plums that are suited to cooking.