Caramelized Apples

Jan 21 2023

This caramelized apple recipe will be your go-to the next time you need an easy-to-make delicious dessert or sweet topping in a hurry.

Ingredients

3
tablespoons butter (unsalted)
5
crisp apples (Jonagold, Crispin, Honeycrisp; peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes)
1
tablespoon plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (divided)
½
teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼
teaspoon lemon zest
⅓
cup apple cider (homemade or store-bought)
Optional: 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch (as needed)
Optional: 1 teaspoon water

Step 1
Gather the ingredients.
Step 2
Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
Step 3
Add the apples to the pan and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon sugar.
Step 4
Sauté the apples, frequently stirring, for 6 to 8 minutes until they just begin to turn tender. Be careful not to overcook, or the apples will begin to fall apart and become mushy.
Step 5
Sprinkle the apples with the remaining sugar, the cinnamon, and lemon zest. Toss the mixture gently and cook over medium heat for an additional 2 minutes until the sugar begins to caramelize and the apples are crisp-tender.
Step 6
Transfer the apples with a slotted spoon from the skillet to a serving bowl.
Step 7
Turn the heat up to high and add the apple cider to the skillet, scraping up any browned bits.
Step 8
Reduce the heat slightly and allow the cider and the pan juices to simmer for 1 to 3 minutes until the sauce has reduced and thickened.
Step 9
If you want a thicker sauce, dissolve the cornstarch in a teaspoon of water and stir the slurry into the sauce. Cook the sauce for a few minutes, allowing it to thicken. Taste before serving to make sure the cornstarch is cooked through; if not it will have a raw, grainy, unpleasant taste.
Step 10
Pour the finished sauce over the warm apples and serve immediately.