Gold Rush Apples and Ginger Crisps – A Perfect Pair

Maybe it’s the fact that they are only available during a brief period in the late season, but these Gold Rush apples from North Star Orchards in Chester County, Pennsylvania are hands down the best apple I’ve ever eaten. (Yes, even better than the Ginger Golds I found last year.)

Gold Rush apples are crisp, juicy, full of flavor, with the perfect balance of tart and sweet and covered with a skin that is not too perfect so you know you’re getting a real apple from a real tree.  They are best eaten cold from the fridge, where they will hold their flavor for months. (We’ve got ours out on the terrace for now since the 20 lb bag is too big for the fridge…)

While these babies are perfect eaten alone, they also pair beautifully with ginger cookies for a light and lovely dessert for company, which is how we served them last night. I also packed up some apples and a tin of the cookies for my daughter to take back to college today, which made me think that the combo would make a very nice holiday gift package.

Brown Sugar Ginger Crisps

This is a classic recipe from Gourmet Magazine, via my mother-in-law Irene, from whence cometh all great recipes.

2 sticks butter at room temperature
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 large egg yolk
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup finely chopped crystallized ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon double-acting baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

Whisk dry ingredients together (flour, baking powder, ground ginger and salt) and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and the brown sugar, then beat in the egg yolk, vanilla, and crystallized ginger. Add the dry ingredients and mix well.

Drop the batter onto ungreased baking sheets (I use a small melon scooper for this, you can just drop by teaspoon if you prefer). Bake in the middle of a preheated 350° F. oven, one sheet at a time, for 10 to 12 minutes, or until they are just golden. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer them to racks to cool completely. These cookies make ahead and keep well frozen in airtight containers.

Makes about 50 cookies.

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As of today, North Star Orchard’s website states that there are still some gold rushes available for pick up at designated area farm markets, so if you are in the Chester county area, I’d encourage you to get some.

If you know of a local orchard in your area that is selling Gold Rushes, let us know in the comments.