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Fall in Metro Detroit brings with it the perfect opportunity to enjoy delicious apple dishes, desserts, and drinks. From decadent sweets to savory entrées, local businesses know how to make the most of Michigan’s beloved fruit. Whether you’re craving something sweet or looking for a creative twist on a savory favorite, these spots are serving up apple flavors that will leave you craving more.
APPLE FRITTER DONUT SHOP
741 East 9 Mile Road, Ferndale
Apple Fritter Donut Shop has been delighting locals with its signature apple fritters for over 30 years. Beyond the classic donuts we all love – the sour cream, custards, glazed, and more – the fritters are oh-so-delicious. These oversized fritters are packed with chunks of fresh fruit and coated in a perfectly crispy, sweet glaze. Beyond the apple, there’s maple-glazed with walnuts, bacon-topped, cherry and blueberry-flavored, and many more fritters to choose from. Whether you want a classic treat that’s great for breakfast or an afternoon snack, its balance of soft dough and flavorful fruit make it an unbeatable fall favorite. Swing by for a taste of this iconic donut shop’s namesake creation.
THE CHEESECAKE SHOPPE
23411 Greater Mack, St. Clair Shores
If you’re in the mood for something truly indulgent, head to The Cheesecake Shoppe in St. Clair Shores. Known for its wide selection of New York-style cheesecakes, the fan favorite here is the Caramel Apple Crumble Cheesecake. Owners Sandra Kravitz and Jimmy Mazzola describe it as a labor of love, perfected over the years. “It has layers of our shortbread crust, cheesecake, cinnamon-flavored apples, and a delicious cinnamon streusel topped with our homemade caramel sauce.” It’s a must-try for any cheesecake or apple dessert fan. Beyond this delight, you can find cakes, cupcakes, tartlets, and, “a wide selection of muffins, breads, and an array of hot and cold coffee drinks for your morning stop.”
MADAM
298 South Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham
For those looking for something more savory, Madam in Birmingham offers just that. Located inside the Daxton Hotel, Madam has a delightful Kale Salad on its brunch and dinner menus, featuring manchego cheese, salsa seca, endive, apples, and a green goddess dressing for a light profile. Both menus also have a Cider Supernova cocktail with apple cider, along with Appleton Estate dark rum and Amaro liqueur. For dinner, the Baharat Lamb Chops are a must, with tabbouleh, seared confit tomatoes, green apple tzatziki, and a chili crunch. This dish showcases how apples can be seamlessly integrated into savory cuisine, offering a burst of freshness that elevates the entire meal.
SELDEN STANDARD
3921 2nd Avenue, Detroit
Selden Standard is known for its inventive, seasonally comforting dishes, and its Seared Halloumi is no exception. The salty, rich flavor of the halloumi cheese is perfectly complemented by the sweet flavors of apple butter, making for a delightful combination, along with pickled fennel and za’atar seasoning. This dish is a shining example of how apples can be incorporated into a more refined, modern plate, perfect for those looking to try something new and exciting this season. For dessert, check out the Apple Baklava, served with yogurt, walnuts, pecans, and miso. Other tasty options to consider include Sweet Corn Agnolotti, Vegetable Carpaccio, and Oven-Roasted Patatas Bravas with garlic aioli and pickled peppers.
SYLVAN TABLE
1819 Inverness Street, Sylvan Lake
At Sylvan Table, apples make their mark in both sweet and savory dishes. For dessert lovers, the Apple Crisp served with oat streusel and salted vanilla ice cream is a must, as is the Cider Mill Doughnut with cider caramel sauce and apple sorbet. Both blend flavors of the season with go-to desserts in a delicious way. But if you’re in the mood for something heartier, their Heritage Breed Berkshire Pork Chop is a must-try, in a lime and tamari brine, and paired with baked fingerling potatoes and an apple, honey, mirin, and cabbage slaw that brings out the meat’s natural sweetness. Several cocktails feature fruit notes as well, like The Big Apple!, the Harvest Margarita, and the Apricot Manhattan. The farm-to-table focus here ensures that ingredients are fresh and locally sourced, enhancing the overall dining experience.
BLAKE’S ORCHARD & CIDER MILL
17985 Armada Center Road, Armada
When it comes to apples, Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill is a Metro Detroit institution. Not only can you pick fresh apples, but you can also enjoy their delicious hard apple cider, fritters, and apple-infused dishes like burgers and salads. At Blake’s Tasting Room, the Apple Burger features an Eastern Market fresh patty, apples, onions, and apple cider ketchup, while Blake’s Apple Salad has an apple vinaigrette, dried cherries, mixed greens, pepitas, and candied pecans. For dessert, their Donut Bread Pudding is topped with a caramel apple compote. Don’t forget about grabbing a nice cold cider (or hot for those chilly days)!
