From orchard to oven: The Apple Surprise story

In the month of October one year, We were renting a home in a small village in Massachusetts where we were right by the ocean. The view through our big window from the 2nd floor was breath taking. In the summer time, the road below us would be traffic by people walking, motorcycles, cars flying, and loud loud music coming from cars and random nearby houses. It was very lively. But when the cold temperature set in, the road below become very still with occasionally flying cars zooming pass. When snow has sticks to the ground and start stacking up on each other to the point the plowing trucks are requires, it shakes the house letting me know that plowing trucks has been driving pass. I didn’t have to look outside to know. They were scrapping the road which is pretty loud and I can actually hear them sometimes without needing to wear my hearing aids depending on what they were doing with their plowing methods.

As the cold and the heat weather temperature starts to battle. The beautiful green leaves on the trees starting to transforming to yellow, red, and/or orange and even brown. The air is slowly coming crisp with chills. In the early morning fog, you would see your breath sending mini fogs. My partner (at the time) and I would take our children to apple picking. We would easily bring home anywhere from 5 pounders to 10 pounds of apples. There was one year, we actually brought home 69 pounds of apples.

In the beginning of our apple picking yearly tradition, we decided that one year to dive into recipes and see what we could come up with. Each of us would pick one of our own choices. This one was picked by my youngest child, G. My child was around 5 or 6 years old when he picked this Apple Surprise recipe.

I dive to work and got that made. The aroma from this recipe was drawing everyone into the kitchen wanting their first bite. I told everyone to have their dinners first then we can have this as our dessert. Oh my. It was gone within days.

Eventually, we moved into a beautiful home that we purchased then shortly after, my (ex) brother in law and his son along with his beautiful pup, Spyro moved into my home with an open arms.

In the Autumn of 2012, One of the children came to me and asked me to make it again. I hunt down into the piles of recipes that was sitting on my kitchen shelf.

After collecting the ingredients I needed, I went into the kitchen and began to work. My ex-brother-in-law walked in and asked what I was making. As the food started to come together, I noticed my brother-in-law pacing in the dining room. I asked him what was going on, and he said it looked really good and that he wanted a bite. I laughed at that. My ex walked into the dining room, and the two brothers began diving into a range of topics at the kitchen table. As soon as I pulled the tray out of the oven and placed it on the rack, my brother-in-law was eyeing it, but I told him, “Not yet.” As it cooled down a bit, I was able to put the glaze on.

My BIL took his first bite then 2…3. His daughter walked in and grabbed 1 then 2. My brother in law’s snatch 4… 5 … 6. My niece just couldn’t stop herself so she grab 3rd one. My niece’s older brother saw his younger sister and his father was grabbing some so he happily grabbed one … then two. They start chiming each other saying how delicious it was. My BIL announcing “Take it away! I can’t stop!” My children was standing among them happily eating theirs with a biggest grins that they could make.

After the 2nd time I’ve made the Apple Surprise, my children would ask the Apple Surprise even before we head out to do our yearly apple picking. They would ask me to make this because they were looking forward to it so it became our tradition in my home.

I would share photos of my work on Facebook for years and my best friend decided one year to ask me to make this for one of her parties she hosted for her family and close friends. Her father was eyeing this as well so when I posted my work. He goes, “I hope your bringing some to the party this weekend. ” It became a buzz of excitement to try and they too couldn’t stop at one.

I am happy to share this recipe so you can bring everyone to your table with a buzz of excitement from my home to yours.

Not a photographer but I love taking photo of my work

NOTE –

Tablespoon = Tbsp
Teaspoons = Tsp

Apple Surprise Recipe –

Credit – My son, G picked Better Homes and Garden on their website

1 Package hot roll mix 16oz
1 cup – medium cooking apple, finely chopped
1/4 cup – mixed dried fruit bits or raisins (I tend to use raisins)
2 tbsp – brown sugar
1/2 tsp – ground cinnamon
Nonstick cooking spray
1/2 cup – sifted powdered sugar
2 tsp – milk

DIRECTION

Heat 375 degrees – Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden.

Knead the dough; allow it to rest as direct.
In a small bowl for the filling, stir together apples, dried fruits bits or raisins of your choice, brown sugar and cinnamon.
Lightly coated two baking sheets with cooking spray. Set aside.
Divide the dough into 16 pieces. Flatten each piece into a 3 inch piece.
Spoon one rounded teaspoon of filling onto each circle.
Shape the dough around the filling to enclose, pulling dough until smooth and rounded.
Place rounded sides up, on greased baking sheet.
Cover and let rise in a warm place until nearly double in size. (About 30 minutes.)
Baked in 375 degrees oven for 12 to 18 minutes or until golden.
Cool slightly on cooling rack.
In a small bowl to create icing, stir together powdered sugar and milk to make drizzling consistency. Drizzle over rolls.

MY MINOR CHANGES DIRECTION –

I follow the triangular shape and enclose the filling inside without forming a circle. I just slide it into the oven without letting it rest, as that seems to work for me. I’ve found that if I let it sit, the longer the liquid seeps into the dough, the more the dough refuses to seal properly when I try to close it.

Enjoy!