Hamdi Saidani This Pioneer Woman Cinnamon Apples Recipe is a sweet and syrupy recipe, which is made with tart Granny Smith apples and cinnamon candies. It’s a classic, foolproof recipe, ready in about 25 minutes plus chilling time.
Pioneer Woman Cinnamon Apples Recipe Ingredients
- 3/4 cup cinnamon candies, such as Red Hots
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 4 large Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and each cut into eighths
- 1 stick (8 tablespoons) salted butter
- One 16-ounce store-bought pound cake, cut into 8 slices
- Vanilla ice cream, for serving
- Mint leaves, for garnish
How To Make Pioneer Woman Cinnamon Apples
- Make the cinnamon syrup: In a large saucepan, combine the cinnamon candies, brown sugar, and 2 1/2 cups of water. Place over medium-high heat and cook, stirring, until the candies and sugar have completely melted, which should take about 10 minutes.
- Cook the apples: Add the apple slices to the syrup and bring the mixture to a boil. Cook for about 5 minutes, until the apples are tender but still hold their shape.
- Thicken syrup and chill: Use a slotted spoon to remove the apples and transfer them to a heatproof dish. Allow the syrup in the saucepan to continue boiling for an additional 5 minutes to thicken. Pour the thickened syrup over the apples. Let them cool, then transfer to the refrigerator to chill for at least 4 hours.
- Toast the pound cake: When you are ready to serve, melt some of the butter on a griddle over medium heat. Toast the slices of pound cake for about 2 minutes per side until golden brown, adding more butter as needed.
- Assemble and serve: Place a slice of warm, toasted pound cake on each plate. Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and about 4 chilled apple slices. Drizzle with some of the extra cinnamon syrup and garnish with a mint leaf.
Recipe Tips
- What are the best apples for this recipe? Granny Smith apples are the ideal choice. Their firm texture helps them hold their shape during cooking, and their tartness provides a perfect balance to the sweet cinnamon syrup.
- How do I know when the apples are perfectly cooked? You want them to be “fork-tender.” This means a fork or a small knife should slide into an apple slice easily, but the apple should not be falling apart or mushy.
- Can I make this without cinnamon candies? Yes. If you can’t find cinnamon candies like Red Hots, you can create a similar syrup. In the saucepan, combine 1 ¼ cups of granulated sugar, 2 ½ cups of water, 2-3 cinnamon sticks, and a few drops of red food coloring to get that classic color.
- How far in advance can I make the apples? These apples are designed to be made ahead! They need at least 4 hours to chill and are even better if left to sit in the syrup overnight. They will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
What To Serve With Cinnamon Apples
While the recipe suggests serving with toasted pound cake and vanilla ice cream, these apples are also delicious with:
- A bowl of warm oatmeal or porridge
- On top of pancakes or waffles
- As a side dish with roasted pork or chicken
- Served with a sharp cheddar cheese for a sweet and savory snack
How To Store Cinnamon Apples
Refrigerate: Store the cooled apples and their syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay delicious for up to 5 days. They are meant to be served chilled.
Pioneer Woman Cinnamon Apples Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 450kcal
- Carbohydrates: 75g
- Protein: 2g
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 60g
Nutrition information is estimated per serving including pound cake and ice cream and may vary based on specific ingredients used.
FAQs
Why did my apples turn to mush?
This usually happens if the apples are overcooked. Be sure to check them after 5 minutes of boiling and remove them as soon as they are tender. Different apples cook at different rates, so keep a close eye on them.
Can I use a different kind of apple?
You can, but choose a firm variety that holds up well to cooking, such as Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Golden Delicious. Softer apples like Red Delicious or McIntosh are more likely to become mushy.
Is there a way to make the syrup thicker without extra boiling?
If you’d like a much thicker, glaze-like syrup, you can make a small slurry by mixing 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of cold water. Whisk this into the syrup after you remove the apples and let it boil for one minute until thickened.
Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Cinnamon Bread Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Cinnamon Streusel Bagels Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Cinnamon Rolls Small Batch Recipe
Pioneer Woman Cinnamon Apples Recipe
Description
Tender, tart Granny Smith apples cooked in a sweet and spicy cinnamon candy syrup, perfect for serving over ice cream or as a holiday side dish.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a saucepan, melt the cinnamon candies and brown sugar with 2 1/2 cups of water to create a syrup.
- Add the apple slices to the syrup, bring to a boil, and cook for 5 minutes until tender.
- Remove the apples with a slotted spoon. Boil the remaining syrup for another 5 minutes to thicken.
- Pour the hot syrup over the apples and chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.
- When ready to serve, toast slices of pound cake in butter on a griddle.
- Top the warm pound cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and the chilled cinnamon apples.
Notes
- u003cliu003eUsing firm, tart apples like Granny Smith is key to ensure they don’t get mushy and balance the sweetness.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eThese apples are designed to be made ahead, making them a perfect, low-stress dessert or side for a special occasion.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eDon’t overcook the apples; they should be tender but still hold their shape.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eThe cinnamon syrup is delicious and can be used for drizzling over many other desserts.u003c/liu003e
