Fall, apples and cinnamon just seem to go together.
Somewhere along the way I happened upon this method of cooking cinnamon apples. It is super, super easy way to prepare them and is a family favorite.
I try to keep a package or two of these in the pantry.
This is either a 6 or 8 oz package. I usually pick them up at the Dollar Tree Store. I favor this brand because they are flavorful, some others I tried weren’t as good.
I usually have a couple of apples on hand, I use the Gala apples a lot. They are good to eat uncooked and the also cook well.
Which ever apples you choose just make sure it is one that cooks well, or it will tend to be mushy.
However, maybe that will just be a new recipe….homemade cinnamon apple sauce 🙂
I cooked these the other night for dinner. It was just the hubby and I so I only cooked about 2 apples.
I peel the apples and cut them into uniform bite size pieces. It doesn’t really matter what size, but you do need to keep them close to the same size so they cook evenly.
Place them in a boiler big enough for the amount you are preparing, and allowing for juice.
Sprinkle a few red hots in the pot with the apples. On this day I only used about 1/3 of the bag because I didn’t have many apples. When I cook a pot full of apples 6 to 8 or so, I use the whole bag of cinnamon candy.
That is it.
…….NO WATER…..
I turn the heat to medium and let it do its thing.
The apples will start to cook and release juice. The candy will melt. I do stick close to the pot, stirring pretty frequently so the candy doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan. The whole process only takes about 5 minuted. Of course if you have more apples it may take a little longer.
It is amazing how much juice you end up with.
On occasion I will have a few red hots stick to the spoon. No problem….just let the spoon rest in the hot juice for a little while and it will dissolve.
They are ready when you reach the tenderness you desire. Watch carefully though because it doesn’t take very long.
Once you have cooked these a time or two, you will be a pro. You will know how much of the candy you prefer to use and the amount of time to cook them.
I love that they are flavorful and super easy. They do not require a lot of prep time or cook time. I usually have the meal almost done before I even start cooking these because they cook so quickly.
On this night we had them with chicken and dumplings.
We eat them hot, but I have been known to eat them the next day straight out of the fridge. They are good both ways.
With Thanksgiving coming up, this is one recipe that doesn’t cost much, is easy to prepare, is yummy and makes the house smell fabulous.
I hope you enjoy them as much as we do.
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