Darby Red Apple Ranch

STOP!
Must Stop to get some Fresh Donuts, or a cup of the Fresh Hot Apple Cider!
Ok, so the last few times that I’ve been up here, I’ve stopped here on the way home and picked up a few things. It will help with the long drive back to wherever you’re headed.
The Fresh Donuts, warm, sprinkled with sugar. Oh yeah! If you are on a special diet, I think you’ll be happy with a sack of apples! The pr
Apple Cider, so fresh and full of goodness! I usually buy a ½ gallon as well as a Hot Cup of Cider for the road.
The strudel is tasty! I only had a bite before my 2 little monsters smashed it! Well, I’m glad they liked it!
Cash Only!
There is an ATM which is probably in dial-​up.
Restrooms– There is an outhouse. ports-​potty on the side of the building.
Parking, be careful when entering and exiting the area.
Once again, a must stop and try!

If there is one fruit I don’t like, it’s apples. I’ve never been an apple, apple juice, apple pie, or any apple dessert fan. That is until Darby Red Apple Ranch! Their cold Sweet Cider is the best I’ve ever tasted; I love the stuff. Their desserts are so amazing, and down-​home delicious. I’ve loved the apple doughnuts for years, and recently finally tried the apple fritter only to realize it’s even better than the doughnuts! I honestly didn’t know that was possible.
If you are ever in the area, this is a must. You and your family will remember the wonderful taste of family cooking for years to come.

Fantastic apple pies, apple turnovers, donuts, luscious jams, fresh produce and tri tip! What more could one want out of life? Last weekend as we were headed up to Bear Valley Music Festival we arrived just in time to share a tri-​tip sandwich for lunch followed by warm turnovers… Apple and Strawberry Rhubarb. We also picked up jams to bring home as gifts. Cool place, nice people. 5 stars all the way.

Stopped here on our way back from Yosemite last weekend. I will have dreams about this place for the rest of my life. GIANT BBQ sandwich that fed me for 2+ meals. Apple turnover that was so soft and tasted like heaven. My hubby went back and got me a strawberry rhubarb turnover because I wouldn’t stop raving about the apple. It was also amazing and delicious and perfect in every way. You must eat here. Go. Now!

Wonderful lil roadside stop. Delicious warm apple cider and good apple dumplings. Thankyou

We generally go to the Red Apple on our way back home from our family cabin in Arnold. The apple donuts and cold cider are absolutely the best. I need to expand my selection to the pies and turnovers. I’m sure those will be just as great. Lastly, the staff is also very friendly. A few years back, we stopped on the way out. I didn’t have as much cash on me as I thought and their ATM was down. Got to talking to the gentleman behind the counter and he asked me when I was coming back, which was in a couple of months. He spotted me $ 5 and told me I could just pay him back when I came back up (which I did). Wonderful experiences!

Last year, it was just my wife and I stopping in. This year, we brought our daughter along to share in the memories of my youth and the Red Apple.
Calling ahead on a Sunday, we wanted to confirm they’d be open on a Monday in mid September. Being the off season after Labor Day, you just never know. We were pleased to hear they’d be open and did we want to special order anything?
Thinking there might be a rush on those «to die for» donuts, we placed an order for a dozen and an apple crisp to pick up around noon on Monday.
We arrived as scheduled and were met with the wonderful aroma of fresh baked treats as we opened the car doors. We probably looked like a pack of hound dogs, sniffing the air as it lead us into the store.
Spying some dried apples, some cider, some apple sauce we loaded our arms full of apple bounty before reaching the counter where we were greeted with a warm and welcoming, «Howdy».
They had our order of donuts and crisp ready. We got a strudel too. And a sippy cup shaped like and apple for my 20 year old daughter… to which the gentlemen laughed and said, «Ma’am, I do believe you are the oldest person I’ve ever sold a sippy cup to!»
Saying our good byes, we were barely in the car before we tore into the fresh hot donuts. They did not disappoint. A cakey treat, rolled in sugar with a hint of apple, cinnamon and spice. Dunked in some cider and I think it’s one of the best treats this side of heaven.
Okay…so why the star deduction from last year? Oh, the crisp and the strudel looked divine and smelled just as good. But unfortunately, they were a disappointment for taste. I’m not sure WHAT was missing. But all three of us WANTED it to better than it really was.
Which is not to say it was bad but any means. Just not as good as we’d hoped. My wife is a darn fine cook and her apple pie and apple crisp are not easily matched. I think that is why we were ultimately disappointed and so it is with a heavy heart, I must deduct a star…’cause it just isn’t «as good as it gets» (5 stars). But hey, we are «still a fan» at four stars.

THE PLACE TO GO, if you’re craving some amazingly sweet apple cider, to wash down your decadently delicious apple strudel, strawberry-​rhubarb turnovers and HIGHLY ADDICTIVE APPLE CIDER CINNAMON DONUTS.
SO DELICIOUS and topped off with friendly mountain employees. This roadside joynt is a must stop each time we roll into town.

I stopped by in the morning. We had to wait a few measley minutes for donuts… but they were hot from the oven. They were some of the best tasting donuts I have ever eaten. Since we had to wait, they let us have our honey stick for free! Apple cider is just as solid.

Darby Red Apple Ranch is attached to the red apple. This is the part you really want to go in! They have a wide variety of baked good and other treats, some apple themed /​flavored and some not.
I had an apple pastry, not sure what it was, that was delicious. The outside was flaky and the inside was sweet and gooey. We also slit a cup of apple cider which was sweet and refreshing. It seemed very concentrated with a strong flavor and sweetness with a touch of cinnamon.

This place would have five stars if it wasn’t so expensive. We bought apple donuts, delish but cold, an apple pie that was fresh baked and I have to admit one of the best I have ever had, a half gallon apple cider, and a jar of honey. We spent over $ 50! This place is not cheap but it was very good and I would buy a pie again if I went back! OH and CASH ONLY! I don’t get how any business can be cash only anymore, but they did have an ATM on-​site, how convienent.

This time bought two types of apple: Honeycrisp and a kind I had never heard of, Summerfeld.
Apple doughnuts for the kids.
Whole apple pie.
The apples are fantastic. As good as the honeycrisp were, we preferred the Summerfeld even more. A little less crisp, but a little more flavor. You don’t get better apples.
Tried a bite of the doughnuts again and they were pretty much as I remembered them. Tasty, but not my thing.
Whole apple pie was really good as you would expect starting with such a fantastic product. However, it wasn’t the best we’ve ever had. The filling needed a bit more lemon juice/​salt. It was a little bland. The top crust would have benefited from a sprinkling of course sugar and/​or cinnamon. Just some minor issues.
Just go for the cider and apples. You will never be disappointed.

Best apple donuts ever. Pass on the apple fritters, good but not great. The apple turnover stayed flaky and delicious even after two or three days. I don’t even know how that happened, but it did and the turnovers still tasted fresh and delicious. Will be back soon. I’m not sure who said the apple donuts aren’t being made any longer, maybe they came when the ranch had already sold out. Anyhow, if you haven’t been you must try it!

This place was very yummy! AMAZING apple sauce and apple pie! I will say, I did feel like it was a bit on the expensive side — but I will over look that for now since I was in heaven with my purchases!

This is a quaint little off the road fruitstand that houses a small store filled with bakery goods nuts, fruits and apple cider. The fresh squeezed apple cider is absolutely delicious! Their Apple donuts are tasty as well the Apple pie.
We brought an apple pie for our vacation condo on Christmas 2012
If there is such a-​thing as a healthy apple pie, well then, this particular pie would be the closest thing to it. Very light very mild and the quality of taste, seasonings and spices got better as the days progressed.

Mmmmm. Dooooonuuuuttttss. /​homer
Yes, those apple donuts are a key reason to stop by this stand. But don’t miss the other delights! The apple cider is absolutely wonderful, and the apple turnovers (with a sprinkling of toasted almonds and a nice sugary glaze) are fantastic, too!
They also have a great selection of produce. This time of year, they have a lot of really cool pumpkins and gourds.
Friendly service, tasty treats… yes, it’ll be a highlight of your trip to the Murphys area!

Two words:
APPLE DONUTS
So good they make me cry. They are made fresh everyday, served hot from the oil and sugar dusted, I’m starting to cry right now… Try to get there early as they do sell out quick…

The most incredibly soft and cinnamon-​y apple donuts. Eating one is like being hugged by a Care Bear. I shall forever cherish the memory of biting into one of these for the first time (apple donuts, not Care Bears). Their spiced cider is comforting for a cold day and their super freshly made apple pies are so heavy with apples that you’ll work your biceps just carrying one out.

The original Darby brothers families operated this fruit stand-​plus-​bakery for nearly 100 years. They have retired and the stand was closed for a long while. In May of this year, the Bunch family took over operations and are now managing in the same spirit, and with the same recipes, as the original.
I spent many days with the Bunches and Darbys producing a documentary segment about the Darby Red Apple for my television show, Calaveras Gold, The Best of Calaveras Country!” (
), including 2 days over Labor Day Weekend doing on-​camera interviews with dozens of customers. I can tell you that The Red Apple has a huge following going back generations. They are locally famous for their Apple Donuts, Fruit Pies, and Apple Cider. Their bakery offers many delicious pastry delights and their store offers nuts, dried fruits, jams, jellies, and syrups. The fruit stand has a nice selection of fresh locally-​grown fruits and vegetables at good prices.
While you can’t beat the yummy treats and drinks, I think the best thing about The Red Apple is the people. The new managers, Lloyd and Chris, are wonderful people who are committed to continuing The Red Apple traditions and values. Calaveras Country is very lucky that The Red Apple is back! You gotta be crazy to drive by The Red Apple on Highway 4 and not stop to get something fresh and delicious to take with you!

Under new ownership, but just as tasty as before. I stopped by on the way back to Murphys after my facial appointment in Arnold. The new owners have expanded the fruit stand part of the business and now sell veggies and other fruits besides apples.
The baked goods are TDF! Warm apple donuts, apple pie, and apple turnovers, oh me oh my! I could seriously gorge myself here! On this visit I purchased an apple pie, some apple donuts and apple turnovers. Not all for me I swear!
I couldn’t wait to get back to my parents’ house so I could eat my turnover. I was a good girl and ate my lunch first. Then I got my hands on that apple turnover which was still warm from the oven and completely devoured it! Every last crumb!
If you are heading up the hill on Highway 4, you have to stop at the Red Apple. Your tummy will thank you. ;)