Description
Cracker Barrel fried apples bring southern comfort straight to home kitchens with minimal effort. Cinnamon-kissed apple slices melt into a sweet, caramelized sauce that promises pure culinary comfort you’ll savor with every delightful spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 6 large apples (Granny Smith or Golden Delicious), peeled, cored, and sliced
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup (56 grams) unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) apple juice or apple cider
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 pinch of salt
Thickening Agents:
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Peel and slice apples into uniform wedges, ensuring they are roughly similar in size for consistent cooking.
- Combine brown sugar, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and a delicate pinch of salt in a mixing vessel, creating a fragrant spice blend.
- Scatter the spice mixture generously over the apple slices, ensuring each piece receives an even coating of the sweet and aromatic seasoning.
- Whisk melted butter with cornstarch, fresh lemon juice, and apple juice until the mixture transforms into a smooth, silky liquid.
- Drizzle the liquid mixture over the seasoned apples, gently folding to ensure each slice is thoroughly coated and glistening.
- Set the slow cooker to low temperature and allow the apples to simmer for 3-4 hours, developing a tender texture while maintaining their structural integrity.
- Once cooking is complete, softly fold the apples to redistribute the caramelized sauce, creating a glossy, rich coating.
- Serve warm as a decadent side dish or delightful dessert, allowing the complex flavors to shine through.
Notes
- Choose firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best texture and balanced sweetness during slow cooking.
- Avoid overcooking to maintain apple structure, checking tenderness after 3 hours to prevent mushy results.
- Adjust sugar levels for dietary needs by substituting brown sugar with coconut sugar or monk fruit sweetener for low-carb or diabetic-friendly version.
- Add a protein boost by serving with Greek yogurt or vanilla ice cream for a more substantial dessert option.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 111
- Sugar: 21 g
- Sodium: 18 mg
- Fat: 3 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 0.2 g
- Cholesterol: 7 mg