Fall is one of my busiest seasons as an Aiken SC photographer, but I always make time for the recipes that make this season feel extra special.
Can you believe we’re already into September? Between school breaks, football Saturdays, and all the fall fun, this season always seems to fly by the fastest.
To help slow things down, I’m sharing a few of our family’s favorite fall recipes—cozy, comforting, and perfect for making memories in the kitchen together.
Homemade Apple Cider
12 gala or fuji apples, cored and cubed
2 granny smith apples, cored and cubed
3 cinnamon sticks
1 piece of ginger, thumb-sized and peeled
2 tsp whole clove
1 pinch salt
8 cups of water
⅔ cup brown sugar
– Place apples, cinnamon sticks, ginger, cloves, and salt in an 8-quart slow cooker. Pour water over the apples.
– Cover and cook on high for at least 8 hours, or overnight (up to 24 hours).
– Remove the solids from the cider (*I find this easiest with a mesh strainer), pressing the pulp to extract as much liquid as possible.
– Whisk in brown sugar until dissolved.
– Serve hot or store in the refrigerator to serve later. Reheat before serving. Enjoy!
Apple Fritter Bread
⅓ cup light brown sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
⅔ cup white sugar
½ cup butter, softened
2 eggs
1½ tsp vanilla extract
1½ cups all-purpose flour
1¾ tsp baking powder
½ cup milk
2 apples, peeled & chopped, mixed with 2 tbsp granulated sugar & 1 tsp cinnamon
*optional: chopped walnuts or nut of choice
Glaze:
½ cup powdered sugar
1-3 tbsp milk/cream (depending on thickness)
– Preheat oven to 350.
– Spray 9×5″ loaf pan with non-stick spray or line with foil.
– Mix brown sugar and cinnamon together. Set aside.
– In another bowl, beat white sugar and butter together with an electric mixer until smooth & creamy.
– Beat in eggs, one at a time, until blended in. Add in vanilla extract.
– Combine flour and baking powder into another bowl, whisk together, then add into the creamed butter mixture. Stir until blended.
– Mix milk into batter until smooth.
– Pour ½ batter into the loaf pan. Add ½ apple mixture, then ½ brown sugar mixture. Lightly pat mixtures into the batter.
– Pour remaining batter over apple layer and top with remaining apples followed by remaining brown sugar mixture.
– Lightly pat mixtures into batter, then swirl knife through loaf pan to combine.
– Bake until toothpick inserted in center of the loaf comes out clean, approximately 50-60 minutes.
– Make glaze: mix powdered sugar and milk/cream together.
– Let loaf cool about 15 minutes before drizzling with glaze. Enjoy!
Pumpkin Pull-Apart Loaf
¾ cup pumpkin puree
½ cup granulated sugar, divided
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 lage egg
1 can (8 count) biscuits, NOT flaky kind!
1 tsp cinnamon
Glaze:
½ cup powdered sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
3 tbsp heavy cream or whole milk
– Preheat oven to 350.
– Spray loaf pan with non-stick spray.
– Stir together pumpkin puree, ¼ cup granulated sugar, vanilla extract, pumpkin pie spice and egg. Set aside.
– Open biscuits and slice each in ½ horizontally.
– Stir together remaining ¼ cup granulated sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon in a small bowl.
– Coat each slide of biscuit dough in cinnamon-sugar mixture.
– Lay one slice of dough flat and spread some pumpkin mixture on top. Then place a new biscuit piece on that, and add more pumpkin mixture. Continue stacking, spreading and layering until all biscuits are used. *I find it easiest to make 3-4 layered-biscuit stacks.
– Place stats carefully in loaf pan.
– Bake for 20-22 minutes uncovered, then cover with foil and bake for 12-15 minutes more. Use toothpick to check center for doneness. Cool before glazing.
– Make glaze: whisk together powdered sugar, cinnamon, and cream/milk until a smooth sauce forms.
– Drizzle glaze over loaf, pull apart and serve!
I hope you enjoy making these special fall treats and the bonding-time it creates when done together as a family. Be sure to tag me on Instagram @amy_najmon on photos of what you make. I can’t wait to see what you try!
Amy Najmon Photography specializes in motherhood photography in Aiken, SC, as well as maternity and newborn photography for the entire CSRA, including Augusta, Evans, Martinez, North Augusta, and Graniteville.
I love filling my calendar with moms desiring a custom experience and family images exuding joy. I provide personalized session planning, a size-inclusive client wardrobe of dresses for mom (sizes XS – XXL), outfit styling for the whole family, and hair and makeup recommendations so your session as seamless as possible. All you need to do is arrive and be ready to play and snuggle with your children.
If you love these photos and are looking for an Aiken SC photographer, I would love to photograph your next portrait session. To see more of my child & family portfolio please click here. And if you are interested in a personalized portrait session with Amy Najmon Photography and would like more information about the experience, please click here.
I’m currently accepting both studio and outdoor family sessions for the rest of 2025 and into 2026. If you would like to reserve space on my calendar for your Aiken area family photos, I would love for you to contact me here.
