Description
Experience the delightful flavors of fall any time of the year with this simple yet scrumptious recipe for Caramelized Cinnamon Apples. Perfect as a dessert on their own or as a mouth-watering topping for pancakes, waffles, or even ice cream, these apples are sautéed to perfection with butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. The process brings out the sweetness of the apples and combines them with a rich, caramel glaze that is sure to please any palate.
Ingredients
- 6 small to medium crisp apples, such as Honeycrisp or Fuji
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) of unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup of light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon
Step-by-step Directions
Step 1: Prepare the Apples
Dice the apples into roughly equal-sized pieces, ensuring to remove the cores, stems, and seeds. Dice to about 1/2 inch thick, which allows them to cook evenly and hold their shape better.
Step 2: Melt the Butter
Heat a medium-sized skillet over medium heat and add the stick of butter. Allow it to melt completely, which will form the base of the caramel sauce.
Step 3: Sauté the Apples
Add the diced apples to the melted butter in the skillet. Sprinkle the ground cinnamon over the apples, then stir to combine everything well. Cook the mixture for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure that the apples soften evenly and absorb the rich flavors.
Step 4: Caramelize with Sugar
When the apples are tender, stir in the light brown sugar. Continuously stir the mixture to dissolve the sugar, which will thicken into a caramel consistency. This step is crucial for achieving that glossy, caramelized coating on the apples.
Step 5: Final Cooking
Continue to cook the apple mixture for an additional 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. This will help the flavors meld together and intensify the caramelization.
Servings & Preparation Time
This recipe serves about 4-6 people as a dessert or topping. Preparation time is approximately 10 minutes, with a cooking time of about 20 minutes, totaling roughly 30 minutes from start to finish.
Tips for Storage & Reheating
- Storage: Keep the caramelized apples in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Reheating: Reheat in a skillet over low heat, or briefly microwave them until warm. Add a little water or additional butter if the mixture seems too thick or dry during reheating.
- Freezing: These apples freeze well. Store in freezer-safe bags or containers and defrost in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Conclusion
The Caramelized Cinnamon Apples recipe offers a versatile and straightforward solution to satisfy sweet cravings with a touch of spice. Whether served as a stand-alone dessert or as a complement to other dishes, these apples showcase the simplicity and appeal of comfort food. Easy to make and even easier to enjoy, this dish is a surefire way to add a bit of sweetness to any meal.
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Caramelized Cinnamon Apples
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
Description
Experience the delightful flavors of fall any time of the year with this simple yet scrumptious recipe for Caramelized Cinnamon Apples. Perfect as a dessert on their own or as a mouth-watering topping for pancakes, waffles, or even ice cream, these apples are sautéed to perfection with butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. The process brings out the sweetness of the apples and combines them with a rich, caramel glaze that is sure to please any palate.
Ingredients
- 6 small to medium crisp apples, such as Honeycrisp or Fuji
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) of unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup of light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the Apples Dice the apples into roughly equal-sized pieces, ensuring to remove the cores, stems, and seeds. Dice to about 1/2 inch thick, which allows them to cook evenly and hold their shape better.
- Step 2: Melt the Butter Heat a medium-sized skillet over medium heat and add the stick of butter. Allow it to melt completely, which will form the base of the caramel sauce.
- Step 3: Sauté the Apples Add the diced apples to the melted butter in the skillet. Sprinkle the ground cinnamon over the apples, then stir to combine everything well. Cook the mixture for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure that the apples soften evenly and absorb the rich flavors.
- Step 4: Caramelize with Sugar When the apples are tender, stir in the light brown sugar. Continuously stir the mixture to dissolve the sugar, which will thicken into a caramel consistency. This step is crucial for achieving that glossy, caramelized coating on the apples.
- Step 5: Final Cooking Continue to cook the apple mixture for an additional 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. This will help the flavors meld together and intensify the caramelization.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes