Easy Caramelized Apples Recipe

Quick Summary: Caramelized apples are apple wedges cooked in butter and sugar until soft and coated in a light caramel. You need only a few ingredients and about 15 to 30 minutes, and they work as a dessert on their own or as a topping and filling for crepes, pancakes, pies, and pastries.

What are caramelized apples?

Caramelized apples are apple slices or wedges cooked slowly in butter with sugar until they turn golden, soft, and glossy. The heat brings out the natural sugars in the fruit, so the apples stay tender inside while the outside is coated in a light caramel.

They are different from candy or caramel apples, which are whole apples dipped in a hard caramel coating.

Like caramelized peaches, they can be made with or without brown sugar and flavored with streusel, almonds, or cinnamon. They are perfect for garnishing apple turnovers and French crepes, and they are used in apple crumbles, muffins, and apple Tarte Tatin.

What are the best apples for caramelizing?

Firm, slightly tart apples hold their shape best and balance the sweetness of the caramel. Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, and Pink Lady are all good choices.

Softer apples like Red Delicious tend to break down and turn mushy, so they are better avoided. If you use organic apples, you can leave the skin on; otherwise, peel them first.

Why you'll love this recipe

• Quick and easy. You need only a few simple ingredients (no cornstarch) and about 15-30 minutes.
• Fun to make. Cooking apples on the stove is simple, so they are great for parties and family cooking.
• Perfect for the holidays. Caramelized apple slices make a festive dessert for your Christmas and Thanksgiving table.
• Fully customizable. The recipe works any time of year and is both vegetarian and gluten-free.
• Endlessly useful. Serve them on their own or use them as a topping for basic crepes, pancakes, ice cream, or pastries.

Ingredients

For ingredients and detailed instructions, refer to the recipe card below.

• Apples: Choose firm apples that hold their shape when cooked. The best apples to use are Golden, Gala, Pink Lady, Pippin Queen, Fuji, Honeycrisp, Jonagold, Crispin, Braeburn, and Granny Smith apples. If you use organic apples, you don't need to peel them. Otherwise, you can peel your apples with a vegetable peeler.

• Brown sugar is used to make the recipe. Rich in molasses, it brings an additional caramel flavor. Choose light or dark brown sugar for a deeper flavor.

• Butter: The recipe calls for high-quality, 82% fat-content European-style butter. You can use salted or unsalted butter; it is up to you. But don't replace butter with oil.

• Ground cinnamon brings a beautiful flavor to apples. Omit it if desired, or replace it with apple pie spice, allspice, or nutmeg.

• Salt: A pinch of salt enhances the flavors of caramelized apples. You can use Fleur de Sel if available.

• Lemon: Lemon juice is used to deglaze the skillet. You can easily replace it with orange juice, apple cider, or balsamic vinegar.

Recipe variations

Try different flavors and textures to add a unique twist to traditional caramelized apples. Incorporate some extra ingredients while caramelizing apples.

• Apples: Choose different types of apples, red and green, sweet and tart, for the best flavor and taste.

• Sugar: You can use more or less sugar depending on your sweetness preferences. The more sugar is used, the more caramel is produced.

• Flavorings: Flavor caramelized apples with vanilla extract, orange blossom water, or fresh herbs like thyme or oregano.

• Add-ins: Add raisins, chopped dried fruits, flaked or slivered almonds, or pine nuts at the end of cooking.

• Cream: Pour 2 teaspoons (10 ml) of heavy cream at the end of cooking for more indulgence.

• Alcohol: You can flambe caramelized apples with Calvados, Grand Marnier, or apple brandy: pour the liqueur and flambé like crepes Suzette.

How to caramelize apples

Step 1: Peel and remove the core using an apple corer. If you use organic apples, don't peel them. Cut apples into quarters, then each quarter in half. If you don't like thick slices, you can chop apples into smaller pieces.

Step 2: In a medium-sized skillet or a saucepan, melt butter. Once the butter is well melted, add the apple slices and a cinnamon stick (optional) to the skillet, then sprinkle with brown sugar.

Step 3: Cook apple wedges over medium heat, stirring regularly, until the apple slices are golden and the caramel sauce turns a nice light brown.

Step 4: It usually takes 6-7 minutes, depending on the stove. Sprinkle the apple mixture with ground cinnamon and a pinch of fleur de sel.

Step 5: Remove the apples, deglaze the pan bottom with lemon juice, and pour the mixture over the apples.

Serve caramelized apples hot, warm, or cold with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. If desired, coat them with the sweet buttery caramelized sauce and garnish with mint leaves.

How to make apple flambe

Apple flambe is a simple way to turn caramelized apples into a showy dessert. Once the apples are golden and coated in caramel, pour in a small amount of warmed rum, brandy, or Calvados, then carefully light it with a long match or lighter.

Stand back and let the flames burn off on their own, which takes only a few seconds and leaves behind a deeper, richer flavor.

Always take care when you flambe. Take the pan off the heat before you add the alcohol, keep your face and hands away from the pan, and never pour alcohol straight from the bottle over an open flame. Serve the flambé apples right away while they are still warm.

Expert Tips

1. Opt for firm apples such as Golden, Gala, Pink Lady, Granny Smith, Pippin Queen, Fuji, Honeycrisp, Jonagold, Crispin, and Braeburn.
2. Respect the cookie settings to avoid burning caramel-like sauce.
3. If the apples are not juicy enough, you may need to add some water.
4. Add extra butter and sugar for delicious layers of flavor and juiciness.
5. If you double or triple the recipe, use a large skillet or saute apples in batches.
6. Add one teaspoon of honey or maple syrup at the end of cooking if desired.

Storing & freezing

Keep caramelized apples in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a week. So you can prepare them in advance for a party. To serve warm, reheat them quickly in the microwave or a skillet.

Can you freeze caramelized apples? Unfortunately, they don't freeze well, losing their texture when thawed. But you can place them in a freezing bag, seal well, and freeze them for up to 3 months if desired.

What to make with caramelized apples

Caramelized apples are the perfect way to liven up any dish, from savory and sweet and beyond. So let's explore all the delicious possibilities that caramelized apples offer.

• Simple and delicious dessert: Serve sauteed apples hot with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a dollop of Chantilly cream or sugar-free whipped cream.
• Breakfast topping: Caramelized apple topping made with butter and brown sugar, with a hint of lemon, is best served over crepes, cheese pancakes, waffles, and sourdough French toast. You can try apples as a perfect topping on something more unexpected, like French rice pudding, overnight oats, or Greek yogurt.
• Apple filling: Sauteed apples add a sweet flavor to beloved apple pie recipes, crispy puff pastries, and delicious tarts.
• Accompaniment: Cinnamon apples make a great side dish or addition to savory dishes such as brie, goat cheese, pork chops, and chicken.

FAQ

Are caramel apples the same as caramelized apples?
Caramel apples, or toffee apples, are whole apples with a layer of hard caramel. Caramelized apples are sliced and cooked in a butter-and-sugar mixture until coated in a soft caramel.

What do caramelized apples taste like?
They have a sweet, pronounced caramel flavor, plus cinnamon or other flavorings if you add them.

How do you caramelize apples without sugar?
You can omit the sugar and add a little water for a saucier texture. For the best results, replace the sugar with honey or maple syrup.

How do you eat caramelized apples?
Eat them hot, warm, or cold with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream and the cooking sauce. You can also sprinkle the slices with almonds or pine nuts.

How long will caramelized apples keep?
Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, they keep for up to a week.

What is the difference between caramelized apples and caramelised apples?
None. "Caramelized" is the American spelling and "caramelised" is the British spelling for the same recipe.

Can you make caramelized apples ahead of time?
Yes. They are best served fresh and warm, but you can keep them in the fridge for up to a week and gently reheat them in a pan before serving.

Love apple recipes? Try these next!

If you are a fan of delectable apple-based recipes, there may be more delicious recipes for your baking discovery.

• Apple Crumble Bread
• Sponge Apple Cake
• Apple Mousse Cake
• French Apple Fritters

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The nutritional information has been calculated using an online recipe nutrition calculator such as Verywellfit.com and is intended for informational purposes only. These figures should be used as a general guideline and not be construed as a guarantee.