Caramelized Apples
With a sweet, caramel-like flavor and a hint of cinnamon, these will remind you of apple pie filling.
Serves4 to 6
Prep10 minutes
Cook10 minutes to 15 minutes
Caramelizing apples is my absolute favorite way to turn a few apples into a totally irresistible treat. Plus, it happens to be the simplest fall dessert I know and, best of all, there are many easy, delicious ways to enjoy it.
With minimal effort, just four ingredients, and 20 minutes on the clock, you can transform crisp slices of sweet-tart apple into a tender, melt-in-your-mouth dessert with a sweet, caramel-like flavor and just a hint of cinnamon. It just might remind you of apple pie filling.
Ingredients for Caramelized Apples
- Apples. Firm, sweet-tart apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Pink Lady are the best choice for caramelized apples. They’ll soften and become tender, without falling apart or totally losing their shape.
- Unsalted butter. Several tablespoons of melted butter add flavor to the apples and help them caramelize as they cook.
- Light brown sugar. For the best caramelized apples, light brown sugar adds sweetness and a subtle caramel flavor. But, if you only have granulated or dark brown sugar, either will work.
- Cinnamon. Just a little bit will do here to add a hint of warmth.
Ways to Use Caramelized Apples
Whether you take the time to spoon them into a bowl or simply eat them straight from the pan, caramelized apples are great on their own. But, that’s just the beginning, because there are endless ways to serve them for both dessert and breakfast. Here are some of our favorites.
- Spooned over ice cream
- On top of panna cotta
- As a cheesecake topping
- Spooned over slices of olive oil cake, pound cake, or bundt cake
- As a topping for pancakes, waffles, and french toast
- Added to yogurt
- Spooned over oatmeal
- As a filling for crêpes
Caramelized Apples Recipe
With a sweet, caramel-like flavor and a hint of cinnamon, these will remind you of apple pie filling.
Prep time 10 minutes
Cook time 10 minutes to 15 minutes
Serves 4 to 6
Nutritional Info
Ingredients
- 2 pounds
Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Pink Lady apples (4 medium)
- 6 tablespoons
(3/4 stick) unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup
packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon
ground cinnamon
- 1
pinch kosher salt
Instructions
Peel, core, and cut 2 pounds Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Pink Lady apples into 1/4-inch thick slices.
Melt 6 tablespoons unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1 pinch kosher salt. Stir to dissolve the sugar. Add the apples and stir to coat. Cook, stirring regularly until the apples are tender and lightly browned around the edges and the syrup is thickened and glossy, 8 to 10 minutes.
Recipe Notes
Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.