Can McIntosh apples be used for apple pie
Joseph Russell
Updated on April 24, 2026
McIntosh apples are a popular pick for many bakers, but our advice is to not use Macs in apple pie. … My grandmother made delicious pies with McIntosh apples, but they were essentially applesauce pies. Macs don’t hold up well to heat, cooking down to sauce long before the pastry is done cooking.
What apples should not be used for apple pie?
Red Delicious and Gala are two apples that won’t withstand cooking temperatures and should not be used for apple pie. Many new apple varieties, including Honeycrisp, have a flesh that fractures when you bite it. This is so appealing for snacking on an apple, but not the best feature for a good apple pie apple.
What are the best cooking apples for apple pie?
- Granny Smith Apples. For whatever reason, Granny Smith apples have long been considered the favorite for apple pies. …
- Honeycrisp. …
- Golden Delicious. …
- Rome. …
- Jonathan or Jonagold Apples. …
- Braeburn. …
- Northern Spy. …
- What Do We Want from Our Apples?
What can you use McIntosh apples for?
McIntosh apples are good apples for baking, juicing, and eating. Because they are so juicy, McIntosh apples are an excellent choice to use for apple juice and sweet cider. The apple is tart enough to hold its own in a sweet dessert. The soft flesh of the apple makes it a perfect choice for applesauce or apple pie.Do McIntosh apples bake well?
McIntosh. A classic bright red apple with green undertones, juicy, crisp McIntoshes tend to break down when cooked. They are delicious eaten out of hand or in sauce, and are best paired with Golden Delicious or other apples in pies and other baked goods.
Which types of apples are best used for baking?
- Jonagold. Tart with a honeyed sweetness, Jonagolds hold up exceptionally well in the oven. …
- Honeycrisp. This is our desert-island apple. …
- Braeburn. …
- Mutsu. …
- Winesap. …
- Pink Lady (or Cripps Pink) …
- Now, let’s bake some apples!
What are the worst apples for apple pie?
Avoid these: McIntosh, Gala, Fuji or Red Delicious. These apples are a little too soft or just don’t have the right flavor punch for the long baking time pies and tarts require.
What happened McIntosh apples?
The apple became popular after 1900, when the first sprays for apple scab were developed. A house fire damaged the original McIntosh tree in 1894; it last produced fruit in 1908, and died and fell over in 1910.Can any apples be used for apple pie?
You can use Granny Smith, Jonathan, Jonagold, Winesap, Golden Delicious, Honey Crisp, Gala, or Rome Beauty. I used a mix between Golden Delicious and some kind of tart firm apples from our trees for this pie, and it was great.
What apple tastes like McIntosh?The Cortland apple is bright red, with a crisp white flesh that is incredibly juicy with a sweet-tart flavor. Like the McIntosh, the Cortland is a soft apple, though not quite as soft as a McIntosh; however unlike the McIntosh, the Cortland apple can be used in many ways, from eating, baking, to cooking.
Article first time published onCan Gala apples be used for apple pie?
You can use any type of apples you like. Fall is a great time to go apple picking and get super fresh ones for a homemade pie like this. We use gala apples in this recipe, and I think they cook really well and have great flavor. Some people prefer Granny Smith apples for their firmness and tart flavor.
Are Rome apples good for pie?
Rome. Flavor: Very mild when eaten out of hand; not very sweet, but develops in flavor when cooked. Texture: It has a thick skin and very firm flesh. Though it has a reputation as a good baking apple, I found it unsuitable.
Are Ambrosia apples good for baking?
But then, chefs and home cooks started baking with them and to their total delight, they discovered they were also great ‘baking apples’. … Ambrosia apples are naturally sweet so, many bakers find that they can actually cut down on the sugar in their usual apple pie recipe.
What are the best apples to use for apple crisp?
The firm and crisp Granny Smith and Honeycrisp varieties are popular apples to use in apple pies and apple crisps. Golden Delicious is another great choice for a crisp. You can use just one variety or, for added depth of flavor, use an assortment of varieties when baking your apple crisp.
Are Rome apples good for baking?
Rome apples hold their shape well when baked because they have a thick skin, so they are generally chosen for baking project, so you can use them in your favorite apple dumpling or apple muffin recipe. … Red baked apples with cinnamon, walnuts and honey. Autumn or winter dessert.
Where are McIntosh apples grown?
It is grown mostly in eastern Ontario, British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley, and the northeastern United States. The skin of this medium-sized apple is mostly bright red, but often includes green and white areas. The flesh is white, crisp and tart tasting. The McIntosh is one of the top 10 apples sold in North America.
What is a KIKU apple?
About KIKU® Luis Braun, an apple grower from northern Italy, came across a unique, red-striped apple in an orchard in Japan. … KIKU® brand apples are very exotic, with super sweet taste, attractive striped ruby-red color, crunchy with firm flesh, and very juicy.
What is the best tasting apple?
Some of the best tasting apple varieties are Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Fuji, Ambrosia, and Cox’s Orange Pippin. These varieties are most flavorful when picked at peak ripeness and eaten within a few months of harvest. Apple flavor is also affected by autumn temperatures and the overall terroir of the growing region.
Can Gala apples be used for baking?
Gala. With a crisp bite and a mellow sweetness, the Gala complements any recipe—you can even get away with using less sugar because of its natural sweetness. The crispness helps it retain its shape throughout baking so it doesn’t get mealy.
What type of apples are best for apple cake?
The key to a great apple cake is to use a diverse variety of apples for a mix of textures and flavors: sweet, tart, crisp, and soft. To get the best bang for your apple cake buck, try mixing Honeycrisp and Granny Smith if you prefer your cake more tart, or for a sweeter experience, go with Gala or Fuji.
How many apples does it take to make a cup?
About 3/4 of an average sliced or cubed apple equates to a single cup. However, it really depends on the size of your apple and how you’ll be cutting it. In a perfect world, you’ll start with a medium apple. It’s about the same size as a tennis ball (or about 2 ½ – 2 ¾ inches in diameter).
Can you still get McIntosh apples?
“While still an important apple in Ontario and Canada, it is no longer the category leader,” says Thomas O’Neill, manager at the Norfolk Fruit Growers Association in Ontario, Canada. Its numbers are dropping off – from 39% of Canada’s market in 1996 to 28% today.
Why can't I buy McIntosh apples?
Discovered in 1811 by Ontario farmer John McIntosh, the apple has been sold commercially since the 1880s, according to the Canadian Encyclopedia. … One of the issues is its longevity: the apples are less suitable for market as they don’t maintain their crunch over a long period of time.
Are Macintosh apples good for applesauce?
McIntosh This tangy, sweet and extremely juicy apple is considered the “all-purpose” apple used for baking, juicing, and making applesauce. McIntosh apples have bright red and green skin that is easy to peel and does not require extensive cooking times, making them great for dessert recipes.
Are Braeburn apples good for pie?
apples. Honeycrisp and Braeburn apples won our taste test for best-in-pie, since they have a just-right balance of sweet and tart flavor and hold their shape nicely as they bake. Mixing the two gives you the most complex flavor; Golden Delicious work, too, if they’re all you can find.
Should apples be cooked for apple pie?
Don’t cook them. Just keep them in cold water to keep them from browning until it’s time to assemble the pie. Coat the raw apples with sugar and flour and pour them into the crust.
Are Mcdonalds apple pies fresh?
“Our new freshly baked Apple pie recipe is in line with other positive changes we have made,” said a McDonald’s spokesperson. “We removed, for example, artificial preservatives from our Chicken McNuggets and switched to real butter in our breakfast sandwiches because those changes matter to our guests.”
What apple is closest to Ambrosia?
The flesh is slightly yellow and browned more easily compared to the Ambrosia. The overall texture of the apple was slightly mealy and reminded us of the Red Delicious. Overall, the Gala has a very rounded apple flavor. If you’re looking for a reliable, sweet apple, then Galas are the way to go.
What kind of apple is Ambrosia?
Malus domestica ‘Ambrosia’Cultivar’Ambrosia’OriginCanada, 1990s
What is the season for Ambrosia apples?
You can find Ambrosia apples at grocery stores almost year-round since they store so well. However, they’re usually in season around September to January. If you live in British Columbia where the variety was discovered, there is a good chance you can find Ambrosia apples growing at an orchard near you.
Do you have to peel apples for apple pie?
peel your apples. … Unpeeled apples will add a bit of color and texture to your pie, but they may prevent the apples from melding together when baked. Peeled apples will give you a delicately soft pie with no tough surprises, but some people argue that you lose the apple’s nutritional value once the peel is removed.