If you read this blog with any kind of regularity you know that I love celebrating holidays. I love all of the big and traditional holidays but I also like to do random things for some of the more small and random holidays. Sometimes in my house we celebrate crazy national days and days dedicated to food seem to be favorites. Today is one of those days. Did you know that today, March 11^th, is National Johnny Appleseed Day?

National Johnny Appleseed Day is a day to honor John Chapman, known now as Johnny Appleseed. “John Chapman (September 26, 1774 – March 18, 1845) was an American pioneer nurseryman who introduced apple trees to large parts of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, including the northern counties of present day West Virginia.” (from Wikipedia) While the day is designated to honor the man who made apple trees a common part of the American landscape, the day lends itself to being all about apples. My family loves apples, they are one of our favorite fruits. It is super easy to include apples in the meals we have today. My kid love it!

Want to celebrate National Johnny Appleseed Day with us this year? If you do, here are a couple of our favorite apple recipes.

Apple Crisp

Everyone loves warm apple crisp and vanilla ice cream. It is the perfect desert for National Johnny Appleseed Day.

6 to 8 apples, depending on size
3/4 c. sugar
1 1/2 Tbl. flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp cinnamon

Topping:
3/4 c. flour
3/4 c. quick oats
3/4 c. brown sugar
1/4 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 c. melted butter
1 c. chopped nuts

Slice and peel apples (I use my apple peeler/corer/slicer to make it really easy) and mix with sugar, flour, salt, and cinnamon. Put in 9×13 baking dish. Mix topping ingredients and sprinkle over the apples to cover. Bake the apple crisp at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes, or until apples are soft.

Apple Pie Bars

These apple pie bars are great to make with canned apple pie filling. Easy and yummy!

Crust:
3/4 c. butter, softened
6 Tbl. sugar
1 1/2 c. all purpose flour
1/8 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. salt

Topping:
1 1/2 c. quick oats
1 c. all purpose flour
3/4 c. light brown sugar
1/2 tsp plus 1/8 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 c. cold butter, cut into small cubes

Crust: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a 13×9.5 jelly roll pan with foil or parchment paper. Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about two minutes. At low speed, beat in the flour, spices, and salt until a soft dough forms. Press the dough over the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake in the center of oven for about 15 minutes or until golden and set. Set on wire rack to cool slightly.

Topping: In a large bowl, mix the oats and the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking soda and salt. Using your fingers or a pastry tool, put the butter cubes into the oat mixture and crumble together until the mixture resembles a coarse meal. Press the mixture into clumps.

Pour the can or bottle of apple pie filling on top and spread evenly over the crust. Scatter the crumb topping on top, pressing it lightly into the mixture. Bake for 30 minutes or until the topping begins to look slightly crispy on top. Let cool and enjoy!

These are two of my family’s favorite recipes to make on National Johnny Appleseed Day. Do you have a favorite apple recipe to share? Let us know about it, we love to hear from you!