By: Gabriella DeLuca, ’27

Staff Writer

The fall season has finally arrived and there are so many ways to celebrate its arrival! Whether it’s baking delicious fall recipes, picking apples at Tougas Farm, or visiting Barrett’s Haunted House, there are fun fall activities for everyone to enjoy!

Fun Fall Recipes

Baked Apple Cider Donuts

Baked Apple Cider Donuts are a classic fall recipe that will fill your home with the aroma of fresh apples and warm notes of cinnamon. Whether you pair these delicious treats with a cup of warm apple cider, or simply enjoy one (or maybe two) on their own, you will experience the essence of fall with every bite. 

Ingredients for Donut:

• 1 and ½ cups of apple cider
• 2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon of baking soda
• 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon of apple pie spice
• ¼ teaspoon of salt
• 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter (melted)
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• ½ cup of packed light or dark brown sugar
• ½ cup of granulated sugar
• ½ cup of milk at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract

Ingredients forTopping:

• 1 cup of granulated sugar
• ¾ teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• ¾ teaspoon of apple pie spice
• 6 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter

Instructions:

1. Simmer 1 and ½ cups of apple cider in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir occasionally and check first at 10 minutes, and then every 5 minutes until there is about ½ cup left of apple cider in the saucepan. Then set the reduced cider aside to cool for about 10 minutes.
2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit. 
3. Spray the donut pan with a nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
4. The next step is to make the donut batter, starting with the dry ingredients. To do this, gather the baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, apple pie spice, and salt and mix these ingredients together in a large mixing bowl. (refer to measurements above)
5. Now it’s time to prepare the wet ingredients! Referring to the measurements listed above, whisk together the melted butter, egg, brown sugar, granulated sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. 
6. Combine the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients and then add the reduced apple cider. Whisk everything together until it is smooth with no visible lumps.
7. Spoon the batter into the donut pan, preferably using a large zipped bag. This can be done by cutting a corner from the bottom and then piping the batter into each donut cup. Fill each cup halfway with batter.
8. Place the donut pan in the oven and bake for about 10 to 11 minutes. After baking, the edges and tops of the donut should be light brown. 
9. Cool the donuts for at least 2 minutes and transfer them to a wire rack.
10. Re-grease the donut pan and bake any remaining donut batter.
11. Now it’s time to coat the donuts! To do this, combine the granulated sugar, cinnamon, and apple pie spice together in a bowl. Dunk both sides of each donut first into the melted  butter and then into the apple spice topping.
12. The donuts are now ready to eat! Enjoy with friends and family!

Classic Apple Pie

Ingredients:

• Two nine-inch pie crusts
• 7 large apples
• ½ cup of granulated sugar
• ½ cup of light brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• ⅛ teaspoon of ground nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon of lemon juice & half the zest of a lemon
• 1 large egg 

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Slice and peel the apples into ½ inch thick slices.
3. In a large bowl, mix together the sliced apples, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice & lemon zest. Toss to coat evenly.
4. Remove the pie crust dough from the fridge and let it set at room temperature for about 5 minutes.
5. Carefully lay the pie crust into the bottom of an ungreased deep dish pie plate.
6. Spoon the apple filling into the pie crust and discard the juices at the bottom of the bowl.
7. Use the second pie crust to lay over the apple filling. 
8. Using a sharp knife, trim the dough along the outside edge of the pie. Gently press the pie crusts together to seal the pie. Rotate the pie plate and repeat this process.
9. Cut 4 slits into the top of the pie dough to allow steam to vent. 
10. Brush the surface of the pie crust with prepared egg wash and sprinkle with sanding sugar.
11. It is important to cover the edges of the pie with a strip of foil to keep them from browning during the first 25 minutes.
12. Bake the pie at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 minutes. Carefully remove the strip of foil and turn the heat down to 375 degrees, then continue to bake for another 30-35 minutes until the top is golden brown.
13. Cool the pie at room temperature for at least 3 hours. Then enjoy!

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Muffins

These pumpkin muffins are the perfect autumn treat! Plus, they are gluten free! Bake with friends and family for a taste of fall!

Ingredients:

• 1 and ¾ cups of gluten-free all-purpose flour with xanthan gum
• 1 and ½ teaspoons of baking powder
• ½ teaspoon of baking powder
• ½ teaspoon of baking soda
• 2 teaspoons of cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon of salt
• ¼ teaspoon of nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon of ground ginger
• 2 large eggs
• ⅔ cup of packed dark brown sugar
• ½ cup of sugar
• ½ cup of vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1 ¼ cups of canned pumpkin puree

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a muffin pan with 12 paper liners or lightly grease with cooking spray.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients. Mix together gluten-free all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg, and ground ginger. (refer to measurements above)
3. In a separate bowl prepare the wet ingredients. Whisk together the eggs, brown sugar, granulated sugar, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract.
4. After mixing the wet ingredients together, add the pumpkin puree and whisk together until combined and smooth.
5. Now, carefully add the wet ingredients into the large bowl with the dry ingredients. Mix together until combined. 
6. Dive the batter evenly into the 12 muffin cups. Make sure to fill each cup a little over halfway full.
7. Place muffin tin in the oven and bake for about 18-22 minutes. To test whether muffins are cooked, insert a toothpick into the center and if it comes out clean the muffins are baked!
8. Remove the tin from the oven and cool for 5 minutes. Then enjoy!

Local Fun Fall Activities

Sauchuk’s Farm

Looking for a fun outdoor activity to enjoy this season? If so, visit Sauchuk’s Farm! Located in Plympton, just 30 miles south of Boston, this local farm attracts thousands of visitors each year. Sauchuk’s offers countless fall activities for the whole family to enjoy, including hayrides, pumpkin picking, and best of all a seven-acre corn maze. 

Sauchuk farms has a contract with the world’s largest cornfield maze company, The MAiZE, allowing them to create a new cornfield design every year. In years past, Sauchuk farms has featured various designs including Snoopy in a pumpkin patch, Tom Brady, and even Sesame Street. This year, in celebration of the United States’ 250th anniversary, Sauchuck farms is featuring a Revolutionary War minuteman cornfield maze design.

Sauchuk’s farm is located at 200 Center Street, Plympton. This year the corn maze is open on weekends, September 13th through October 26th. Tickets are required so be sure to book your visit to Sauchuk’s farm before arriving! 

Barrett’s Haunted Mansion

Feeling spooky? Visit Barrett’s Haunted Mansion in Abington! This headquarters of horror attracts thousands of people from New England each year. Barrett’s Haunted Mansion features two attractions, the original Haunted Mansion and Outpost 34. Tickets can be purchased online or at the ticket window. This seasonal attraction is the perfect way to spend a spooky fall night! It’s located at 1235 Bedford Street, Abington.

Tougas Family Farm

The Tougas Family Farm Store and Kitchen offers a one of a kind shopping experience. This farm store sells picked fruit, jams, fruit pies, fruit crisps, and homemade apple cider donuts made from fresh apple cider.