Photo courtesy of sleepyneko -Flickr

According to the New York State Library:

The apple was adopted as the State fruit in 1976. Apples are sweet and crisp, and many varieties are grown in New York.

Apples were introduced in the 1600s by European settlers who brought seeds to New York. Dried apples were a staple for colonists and hard apple cider was a popular drink.

In addition to New York, the following states have also designated the apple, or a specific apple variety as their state fruit: Minnesota, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia.

Ingredients for Baked Apples

• 4 medium apples
• raisins
• 1 cup water
• 1⁄2 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions for making Baked Apples:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
2. Remove the core from the apples, leaving 1⁄2 inch of the core at the bottom of the apple. Peel top 1/3 of apple.
3. Arrange apples in baking pan. Then fill the core of the apple with raisins, and sprinkle with cinnamon.
4. Pour water into pan.
5. Bake 45 to 60 minutes or until tender. Spoon liquid from pan over apples one or two times during baking.

Nutrition info for 1 serving:
Calories: 110 • Total Fat: 0 g • Saturated Fat: 0 g • Cholesterol: 0 mg
Carbohydrates: 27 g • Protein: 1 g • Sodium: 5 mg

provided by University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension

Tasty New York Apple Treats for You

[wpzon keywords="New York apples"]

The first sugar cookie probably dates back to Persia in the 7th century, where the cultivation of sugar became popular. According to historians, the bakers would sprinkle sugar over little flour wafers, creating the first version of this sweet treat.

The sugar cookie was designated by West Virginia House Concurrent Resolution NO. 68.

Sugar Cookie – West Virginia State Cookie

Cooking and Preparation Time: approximately 3 hours

Ingredients

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• 1/3 cup butter
• 1/3 cup butter shortening
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg
• 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups all purpose flour

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 ° F
2. Using a mixer, beat the butter and shortening together on high speed.
3. Add in the sugar, baking powder, and salt, and continue beating until well mixed.
4. Add the egg and vanilla, until well mixed.
5. Switch to a dough hook, if you have one. Add the flour, a bit at a time, until you have a firm dough. (Use all of the flour.)
6. Divide dough in half. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and chill for 2 hours.
7. Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters and place oven
8. Bake for 7 to 8 minutes until edges are firm and bottoms are lightly browned.
9. Cool cookies on a wire rack, and serve when ready.

Tasty Sugar Cookies for You