The Dessert One Apple Farmer’s Family Has Passed Down for Generations

Take a peek through our 25 best apple desserts of all time, and you’ll be presented with enough inspiration to carry you through autumn. From just-like-grandma-made pie and fuss-free apple cobbler to decadent dumplings and bakery-quality fritters, options abound to celebrate fall’s favorite fruit.

When we talk about baking recipes that involve apples, most Allrecipes members tell us their minds jump to pie. You’ve shared hundreds of apple pie recipes with us, and we totally understand why that dessert holds the throne as one of the signature desserts of the season (especially when it’s served a la mode)!

But when we were catching up with an apple farmer for our guide to the very best baking apple, she revealed that there’s another dessert she digs even more.

What Is Apple Goodie?

At their family-owned farm in Belleville, Illinois, “we grow over 13 varieties of apples,” Angie Eckert, vice president of retail operations at Eckert’s Family Farms, tells us. The ultimate way to put them to good use, in her expert opinion? In Apple Goodie.

“Apple Goodie is more than just a recipe for me; it’s a piece of our personal history. My husband, Chris, and I were living in Boston when we had dinner with the Cheney family, owners of a beautiful apple orchard in that area. They shared their family favorite, Apple Goodie, made with apples from their orchard,” Eckert reminisces.

During grad school in Ohio, Eckert recreated the apple crisp-like recipe, which “quickly became a favorite—especially due to its crunchy topping. It perfectly captures the essence of fall, combining tender baked apples with a rich, buttery crumble topping that’s both comforting and irresistible,” she says.

The charming name doesn’t hurt, either. Eckerts explains that “the name ‘Apple Goodie’ always makes me smile. I have no idea why they named it that, but sometimes, the best recipes don’t need fancy titles. They just need to be delicious!”

It certainly is that, and we’re also sweet on the short ingredient list and how little time stands between us and our first scoop. After assembling the ingredients and peeling and slicing the apples, Apple Goodie asks for just 5 minutes of prep time (which is often quicker than our ovens preheat!).

Tips for Making Apple Goodie

The Cheney family has since retired from running their orchard, but Eckert is proud to report that Apple Goodie “lives on with Eckert’s here in the Midwest. This recipe has been passed down and enjoyed by families just like ours, making it a cherished tradition that brings a taste of home to every bite.”

You can find Apple Goodie at their farmstand in Illinois, of course, as well as in the newest version of the “Eckert Family Fall Cookbook.” But Angie was also kind enough to share her secrets for success—and the recipe—below, in case you would like to make Apple Goodie part of your family’s fall traditions, too.

To ace your homemade Apple Goodie:

• Pick your fruit wisely. Golden Delicious also gets the green light from Eckert, but the absolute best apple for this dessert is the same one she and the other farmers agreed was the best across the board for baking: Jonathan. “I always use Jonathan apples because their tartness balances the sweetness in the rest of the recipe perfectly.
• Slice thin. Rather than dicing or thickly slicing your apples, Eckert suggests peeling and slicing them very thin, about 1/8- to 1/4-inch thick. This allows for neat layering in the dish and a more uniform and delicate structure that plays nicely with the topping, Eckert explains. Plus, even slices cook at the same rate, so you’ll be far less likely to end up with undercooked or overcooked bites. A mandoline makes this task quick and easy, although a sharp knife and a cutting board also work.
• Opt for a glass pan. Eckert recommends a glass 9-inch square baking pan over a metal or ceramic one “for even heat distribution, heat retention, and visibility—so you can wow guests,” she says.
• Don’t forget the toppings. Apple Goodie is great as-is, but it’s even better with some garnishes. Consider a drizzle of caramel or butterscotch sauce, a dollop of whipped cream, or a scoop of one of Eckert’s absolute favorites: “I love serving it with frozen vanilla or cinnamon custard.”

Apple Goodie With Oatmeal and Brown Sugar Topping Recipe

Ingredients

For the Topping:

• 3/4 cup oatmeal
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 3/4 cup flour
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter

For the Filling:

• 5 cups peeled and thinly sliced apples
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) and grease a 9-inch square baking pan.
2. Make the topping: In a mixing bowl, combine oatmeal, brown sugar, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; cut in butter and work with fingertips until mixture is crumbly.
3. Prepare the filling: Arrange apples in the prepared baking pan.
4. In a small bowl, mix sugar and cinnamon together; sprinkle over apples and mix well. Spoon topping mixture over the sliced apples, and pat firmly. 
5. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes until a crust is formed. Serve hot or cold, ideally with ice cream or frozen custard.

Serves 6 to 8.