Orchard to Oven: Baking with Local Fall Fruits

There’s something special about the taste of fall in BC. The crisp air, colourful leaves and overflowing fruit stands make it the perfect time to turn local harvests into cozy baked treats. Whether you’re filling your basket at a neighbourhood market or shopping at your favourite grocery store in Vancouver, using locally grown fruits adds freshness and flavour that imported produce just can’t match.

Apples: The heart of fall baking

Homegrown apples like Honeycrisp, Ambrosia and Gala are great in muffins, crisps and pies. They hold their form when cooked and are perfect for offering just the right amount of sweetness. Use organic apples from your local health foods store to make a warm apple crumble of oats and cinnamon. For a basic turn, bake thin apple slices on some puff pastry with a drizzle of maple syrup for a rustic tart that tastes as good as autumn all in one bite.

Pears: Sweet, soft and simple

Early fall is pear season, with Bartlett and Anjou varieties ripening and available at your local grocery store in Vancouver. Their soft texture and floweriness make them perfect for cakes and breads. Roasting the pears beforehand helps to  release their natural sugars and enhances the richness of your desserts. Mix some chopped roasted pears into a spelt or whole wheat flour bread for a healthy dessert that pairs well with tea. Choose organic varieties wherever possible for the purest flavour and fewer additives.

Berries: Sour pop of colour

While summer gets the bulk of the berry love, fall offers those delicious late-autumn blackberries and cranberries. They provide a nice tartness to baked sweets, helping to cut some of the sweetness of apples and pears. Mix them into batter for muffins or toss them into a galette for a dessert that’s as pretty as it is delicious.

Frozen fruit from your neighbourhood is nutritionally equivalent and allows you to keep baking season staples even after the pickings are slim.

When you bake with organic ingredients found at your trusted health foods store that are in season, you’re not just cooking something delicious, you’re supporting your local farmers and sustainable agriculture. This fall, keep your kitchen filled with the smells of cinnamon, fruit and fresh baked goods, knowing that every bite connects you to the community and season.