pecan Archives - Family Dinners

Fall Fruit Salad For Thanksgiving And Christmas

Andrea + Stef — Mon, 12 Sep 2022 17:23:25 +0000

If you have been looking for a lighter and healthier holiday side dish, then this Thanksgiving fruit salad is the perfect recipe for you. It combines crunchy apples, sweet grapes, tangy oranges, dried cranberries and toasted nuts for the most delicious fruit medley. A sweet and citrusy dressing with just the right hint of warming spices makes this fruit salad out of this world good. Ready in only 10 minutes, spiced apple fruit salad can be served as a side at any holiday dinner. You can even turn it into a mouthwatering dessert by topping it with a scoop of ice cream and a dollop of whipped cream. This is the best fruit salad you will ever make and your family will sure love it.

What is Thanksgiving Fruit Salad?

This fall fruit salad only uses fruit that is in season, like apples, grapes, oranges or pears for example. The fruit is combined with nuts and dried cranberries before being tossed with a sweet and spiced dressing. The dressing is made from orange juice, orange and lemon zest, apple pie spice and some sugar for sweetness. This red and green apple fruit salad goes particularly well with holiday dinners, breakfasts and brunches.

Why You’ll Love This

Notable: crunchy fresh fruit mixed with sweet dried cranberries and a delicious spiced dressing
Main Ingredients: green apples, red apples, dried cranberries, pecans, grapes, navel orange, lemon, orange juice, sugar, apple pie spice
Nutrients: excellent source of fiber and vitamins
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Pairs well with: holiday dinners, holiday breakfast and brunch, roast turkey and chicken
Diets: dairy free, vegetarian, vegan
Special Equipment Needed: sheet pan, apple slicer (optional), small saucepan, fine mesh strainer

Ingredients

You may have all of these spiced Thanksgiving or Christmas fruit salad ingredients in your refrigerator or pantry and not need to make a trip to the grocery store. See recipe card below for ingredient amounts and print the recipe.

Pantry Ingredients: sugar, orange juice, pecans, dried cranberries
Produce Ingredients: green apples, red apples, navel orange, grapes, lemon
Spices: apple pie spice

Stef says….

Crunchy and colorful salads are a great way to lighten up the Thanksgiving menu. If you are looking for a more savory salad option, then you have to try my Broccoli Grape Salad. Fresh broccoli florets are combined with sweet grapes, toasty almonds, crunchy celery, flavor-punching bacon and a creamy mayonnaise based dressing.

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you are looking to include more fall fruit into your Thanksgiving menu, then you have to try our flavorful Thanksgiving Sangria. It is a bold blend of red wine, sparkling cider, rum and cranberries with a hint of spice! It’s the best cranberry sangria recipe!

Recommended Tools

Fine-mesh strainer – This helps remove any small spice particles that you don’t want in your finished fruit salad.

Apple Slicer – We love this easy to use apple slicer, because it makes cutting up apples for fruit salad, apple pies or apple crisps so much quicker.

Instructions

This section shows how to make holiday fruit salad with dried cranberries, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique. For full step-by-step instructions, photos and nutritional information see the recipe in the recipe card below. You can print the recipe with or without photos.

TOAST THE PECANS: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place pecans on a lined baking sheet and place in the oven while it’s heating up. Remove pecans from the oven when you can smell their aroma. This should be about the same time as when the oven is fully heated. Remove from the oven and cool.

MAKE THE DRESSING: In a small saucepan, mix orange juice, sugar, apple pie spice, zest of 1 lemon and zest of 1 orange. Place over medium heat. Whisk to combine. Bring to a low boil and simmer for 3-4 minutes. Strain in a fine mesh strainer and cool completely.

COMBINE AND SERVE: Core and slice apples to bite sized pieces. Toss apples with juice from half a lemon to prevent browning. Cut the peel off the orange and cut into bite sized pieces. In a large bowl, mix apples, dried cranberries, toasted pecans, grapes and oranges. Drizzle dressing over the fruit and toss to combine. Serve.

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you love fruity thanksgiving side dishes then you’ll love Stef’s amazing Cranberry Jello Salad. Not only do the bright and zesty flavors of raspberry, cranberry, and orange taste delicious, but this dish also looks stunning and is a real holiday showstopper.

Make Ahead

We do not recommend assembling this apple fruit salad too far ahead of time. Even though tossing the apples in lemon juice will prevent them from browning too quickly, they will turn slightly brown eventually. However, you can prepare certain components of this fruit side dish in advance.

NUTS: You can toast the pecans up to week ahead of time. Make sure they are completely cold before transfering them into a dry airtight container.

DRESSING: The dressing can also be made up to 3 days ahead of time. Cool it completely, transfer to an airtight container or jam jar and store in the fridge until ready to use.

Autumn Fruit Salad Recipe Tips

Follow these tips to make the best spiced apple fruit salad.

Tip: Use fresh, firm apples. Crunchy apples have the best texture for this fruit salad. If they are blemished or mealy they are not enjoyable to eat.
Tip: Toss apples in lemon juice. This prevents the apples from browning too quickly.
Tip: Use organic oranges for zest. To avoid ingesting harmful pesticides or additives try to use organic citrus fruits for zesting.
Tip: Assemble right before serving. This ensures most freshness and makes the fruit salad look irresistible.

How To Store

Refrigerate: We recommend making this spiced fruit salad fresh and serve it immediately. This way all the fruit will look fresh and most appetizing. Leftover fruit salad can be stored in an airtight container or ziploc bag in the fridge for 1-2 days. Even though the overall appearance might not be as fresh anymore after 1 or 2 days of storage, the holiday fruit salad will still taste great.

Common Questions

How do I zest a lemon without a lemon zester?

It’s not a problem if you don’t own a lemon zester. You can also use the fine side of a box grater to rub off the lemon zest. Another way to zest a lemon is using a vegetable peeler. First, peel off very thin slices of lemon peel (avoid the white part) and then chop the lemon peel finely on a cutting board with a knife.

How long ahead of time can I make this salad?

Although we recommend making the salad fresh right before serving, it can be stored in the fridge for 1-2 days. Alternatively, you can toast the pecans and prepare the dressing a couple of days ahead of time, and therefore speed up assembly when ready to serve.

What apple brands are best for Thanksgiving fruit salad?

For the red apples we recommend using Fuji apples, Honeycrisp apples, Jazz apples, Gala apples or even Red Delicious apples. For the green apples we chose Granny Smith apples.

Can I add any other ingredients to this fruit salad?

Of course! You can add some diced pear, pomegranate seeds, slices of mandarin oranges, kiwi or walnuts to this fall fruit salad.

Thanksgiving Fruit Salad

This colorful thanksgiving fruit salad is full of apples and citrus flavors. A homemade dressing adds sweetness and warm fall spices.

Course Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine American, vegan, vegetarian

Diet Gluten Free, Low Fat, Low Lactose, Low Salt, Vegan, Vegetarian

Keyword apple fruit salad, spiced fruit salad, thanksgiving fruit salad recipe

Prep Time 10

Total Time 10

Servings servings

Calories 223kcal

Author Andrea + Stef

Equipment

baking sheet
small saucepan
whisk
fine-mesh strainer
apple slicer and knife
large bowl

Ingredients

Fruit Salad Ingredients:

2 medium green apples
2 medium red apples
¾ cup dried cranberries
1 cup pecans
1 cup grapes
3 medium navel oranges
1 medium lemon juiced

Dressing Ingredients:

½ cup orange juice
¼ cup white sugar
¼ teaspoon apple pie spice
zest of 1 lemon
zest of 1 orange

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Place pecans on a baking sheet and place in the oven while it’s heating up. Remove pecans from the oven when you can smell them, about the same time the oven is fully heated. Remove from the oven and cool.
In a small saucepan, mix orange juice, sugar, apple pie spice, zest of 1 lemon and zest of 1 orange.
Place over medium heat. Whisk to combine. Bring to a low boil and simmer for 3-4 minutes.
Strain in a fine mesh strainer and cool completely.
Core and slice apples to bite sized pieces. Toss apples with juice from half a lemon to prevent browning.
Cut the peel off the orange and cut into bite sized pieces.
In a large bowl, mix apples, dried cranberries, toasted pecans, grapes and oranges.
Drizzle dressing over the fruit and toss to combine. Serve.

Notes

Serve immediately or refrigerate until you serve.
Refrigerate the fruit salad for 1-2 days.

Additions or substitutions:

Add diced pear instead of the green apples.
Add pomegranate seeds.

Nutrition

The post Fall Fruit Salad For Thanksgiving And Christmas appeared first on Family Dinners.

Turtle Hand Pies

Andrea + Stef — Wed, 02 Feb 2022 02:22:45 +0000

Turtle Hand Pies are made with Ghiradelli chocolate squares, gooey caramel chunks, and freshly chopped pecans wrapped in a flaked glazed crust.

We really love making full size pies, but being able to eat a hand pie is so much more convenient, and these are really cute!

You can make turtle hand pies in the oven or air fryer, we have included instructions for both, and each is delicious.

These little treats are easy enough to make on a weeknight or to serve on a holiday or special occasion with a side of vanilla ice cream.

To make things easy we are using refrigerated pie crusts, but if you want a good recipe for a homemade crust this one is the best!

TURTLE HAND PIE INGREDIENTS

You may have all of these ingredients for this easy recipe in your refrigerator or pantry and not need to make a trip to the grocery store! If this is your first time making this delicious recipe you might want to read the possible variations before deciding on your ingredients.

Crust: Use a refrigerated pie crust or a frozen pie crust, defrosted.
Filling: chopped pecans, caramel, dark chocolate
Glaze: powdered sugar, milk, corn syrup

MORE HAND PIES YOU’LL LOVE

CHERRY CHEESECAKE

What a sweet twist on the traditional cherry cheesecake recipe.

BLUEBERRY

A cross between a cobbler and pie, except no fork needed. Blueberry hand pies are the nostalgic hand held treat!

CHOCOLATE DIPPED STRAWBERRY

Strawberry filled hand pies are great for Valentine’s day and as an edible gift.

CARAMEL APPLE

Apple hand pies can be made in the air fryer, full of flavor, including a creamy cheesecake filling.

Essential

TOOLS AND SUPPLIES

Prepare your work surface and gather these kitchen tools and supplies before you begin this delicious, easy-to-make recipe so you don’t waste extra time trying to find things you need.

sharp knife or pastry cutter
basting brush
cutting board
whisk
baking sheet (sheet pan)
parchment paper (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

Follow the full instructions and kitchen tips and quick tips for the best way to make this hand pie recipe. Don’t forget to check the prep time and cook time in the recipe card below before you begin.

PREPARE PIE CRUST: Sit out both of the pie crusts for 30 minutes to an hour so they come to room temperature. Flour the counter, and roll out the crusts.

CUT PIE CRUST: Use a 4-inch cookie cutter to cut out 12 circles from the two crusts. Use a rolling pin to roll the scraps to make additional pie crusts.

ADD CHOCOLATE: Place a piece of chocolate in the center of each circle ( 6 total because the others will be used for the top of the pies).

ADD CARAMEL & NUTS: Cut the caramel squares in half, and place the halves side by side on top of the chocolate. Top with a teaspoon of chopped pecans.

KITCHEN TIP

We cut the caramel square in half so that it sits flatter in the hand pie and also so that it melts more evenly. If you place the caramel square on top of the chocolate whole, the pie crust molds to the square shape before the caramel has a chance to melt and the hand pie takes on an odd shape.

CUT SLITS: Make three small slits on the pie dough you are going to use to cover the filling.

KITCHEN TIP

The slits allow the turtle hand pies to vent while they are cooking so the filling doesn’t explode from the edges.

BRUSH WITH WATER: Use a basting brush to gently apply a little water on the sides you make the slits in.

KITCHEN TIP

Adjust the amount of filling to make a pie that has plenty of everything inside, but one that you can also seal without everything falling out or splitting apart during baking. We found it easiest to layer the ingredients as shown – with the chocolate square on the bottom, then the cut caramel square, and finally the chopped pecans.

SEAL EDGES: Place top pie crust, align the edges, and press to seal all the way around.

KITCHEN TIP

Fold up the outer edges to provide a tighter seal – this also makes an attractive edge on the hand pies. We have found this to be a better method instead of using a fork to crimp.

PLACE IN AIR FRYER BASKET: Add as many turtle hands pies as you can to the air fryer basket while leaving room in between each one. These shouldn’t stick to your basket, but just in case you can use cooking spray before you add the pies.

COOKING TIME: Bake for 10 minutes at 350 degrees or until they are golden brown and flakey.

KITCHEN TIP

Use parchment paper liners for easy cleanup.

MAKE GLAZE: While the hand pies are cooking, combine the powdered sugar, milk, and corn syrup in a medium bowl and whisk together.

FINISH: After the pies are finished cooking, transfer them to a cooling rack and immediately brush them with the homemade glaze. Repeat the air frying process for the remaining pies.

STORAGE TIPS

Storing your food properly is important to prevent spoiling or food poisoning.

Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container or ziploc bag and refrigerate or store on the counter for up to 3 days if you can’t eat it the next day.

Freeze: Store in an airtight, freezer safe, container. If you’re storing in a zip top plastic bag, try to get as much air out as possible. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Defrosting: A great way to defrost is in the refrigerator overnight.

Reheating: These hand pies are delicious when eaten warm. The caramel can harden too much and be difficult to chew when the hand pies are cold. Reheat hand pies in the air fryer or microwave, just until warm.

Granny Smith Apple Pie Recipe

Pin Recipe

Classic apple pie recipe with the perfect balance of tart apples and a sweet filling in a sugar-sprinkled crust. Make this delicious apple pie dessert to accompany any meal.

1 15

Check out this recipe

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Click the questions to see the answer.

Can you make turtle hand pies in the oven instead of the air fryer?

Follow all of the instructions for assembling the pies, and preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the pies on a parchment-lined baking sheet and cook for 20 minutes or until they are golden brown and flaky.

Chocolate Dipped Strawberry Hand Pie

Chocolate Dipped Strawberry Hand Pies are an easy 3 ingredient dessert that is snack size, almost mess free, and has just the right amount of filling.

See Recipe

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Hand Pie

These caramel apple cheesecake hand pies are cute and fun to make in the air fryer.

See Recipe

caramel, hand pie, pecan

Turtle Hand Pies

Warm and delicious turtle hand pies cook quickly in the air fryer. Chocolate, pecan and caramel make the perfect filling for these easy to make pastries.

Course Dessert

Prep Time 40

Cook Time 10

Servings

Calories 369kcal

Author Andrea + Stef

Equipment

Air Fryer

Ingredients

Hand Pie Ingredients:

1 package of two refrigerated pie crusts
4 oz. Ghirardelli dark chocolate bar this breaks evenly into 6 squares
6 caramel squares
About ½ cup chopped pecans
Water for sealing crusts

Glaze Ingredients:

1 cup powdered sugar
⅛ cup whole milk
1 ½ teaspoons corn syrup

Instructions

Bring pie crusts to room temperature 30-60 minutes before making pies.
Unroll pie crust onto a floured countertop. Cut out 12 circles from the two crusts using a 4” fluted biscuit cutter. Gather scraps and re-roll to make additional crusts so that you have 12 total.
For each pie, center a chocolate square on a crust circle. Slice a caramel square in half and place the two halves side by side on top of the chocolate. Mound 1-2 teaspoons of chopped pecans over the chocolate and caramel.
Cut small slices for venting into a second pie crust circle and brush with water. Place the moistened crust over the filled bottom piece. Align the edges and press them together well to seal all the way around the pie.
Fold up the outer edges to provide a tighter seal – this also makes an attractive edge on the hand pies.
Space four hand pies in the basket of the air fryer (or as many as you can fit while leaving a couple inches around each pie).. Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes.
While the hand pies are baking, whisk together the ingredients for the glaze.
Remove the pies from the air fryer when they are golden and flakey. Place them on a cooling rack and immediately brush with glaze.
Leave hand pies to set and dry (about 15 minutes).

Notes

Storage:

Store leftover hand pies in an airtight container on the countertop. Reheat in the microwave, air fryer, or toaster oven.

Notes:

These hand pies are delicious when eaten warm. The caramel can harden too much and be difficult to chew when the hand pies are cold. Reheat hand pies in the air fryer or microwave, just until warm.

Nutrition

caramel, hand pie, pecan

The post Turtle Hand Pies appeared first on Family Dinners.