Fall has officially started! The temperatures are starting to cool down in the morning and evening in Phoenix, AZ. This usually means going from 115 degrees to around 90 during the day which is actually a big difference. I like to take walks with the kids in the evening and when we return to the house they are ready for a yummy dessert before bedtime.
The holidays are right around the corner, so I looked to julieseatsandtreats.com for some inspiration and found these amazing crock pot apples which are perfect to satisfy the kiddos desire for a sweet treat. It also helps that the recipe is straight forward with simple ingredients. I also really loved three ingredient apple cinnamon chicken recipe from mommyhatescooking.com if you are looking for a scrumptious meal. While i’m not quite into the mood to bake a full on Turkey dinner quite yet, these cinnamon apples provide a healthy and delicious indulgence that captures the essence of Fall flavors. What’s even easier is to cook them up over a few hours in the crock pot and, presto! Dessert is ready! Pair with some vanilla ice cream or whip cream and dessert is made.
Crockpot cooking 101
Ingredients
- 4-6 Fresh Apples (Granny Smith or Honey Crisp)
- 1/3 cup White Granulated Sugar (or 2/3 cup for extra sweet / or sugar substitute)
- 2 tablespoons Ground Cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons of butter
- 1 mixing bowl
- 1 spatula or large spoon
- 1 crock pot AKA your slow cooker
- Spray your cooker with cooking spray
Simple Recipe
Start by peeling, coring and slicing the apples into slices that are a few centimeters thick. Place the apples in a bowl and sprinkle over lemon juice. Stir the lemon juice into the apple slices. Mix the sugar, salt and cinnamon together and then pour over the apple slices.
Mix the cinnamon mixture together with the spatula or spoon until well combined. Spray the inside of the crock pot and then spoon the apple mixture into the crock pot or slow cooker. Be sure to include the extra sugar at the bottom of the bowl.
Then take the butter and place on top of the apple slices within the crock pot. Set the crockpot on high for 2 1/2 hours or on low for 4 hours. Don’t forget to stir at least once per hour.
When finished cooking, place the crock pot on warm and serve your cooked apples over a scoop of vanilla ice cream or with whip cream. Serves 6-8 .
Not Just for Dessert
While these phenomenal cinnamon apples are delicious served over ice cream or with whip cream, you can enjoy them many other ways. Once cooked, these cinnamon apples could be used as a compote to top with your morning toast or muffin. Not ready to eat yet? You could easily place the cinnamon apples into a Ball jar as part of a traditional canning process and keep for later for an apple pie. You may also use the cinnamon apples as a “pre-made” apple pie filling. Just be sure not to over cook the apples within the crockpot or oven prior to cooking within a pre-made or pre-cooked pie shell.
Crockpot cooking 101
Crockpots are great cooking tools. They’re easy to use, they can be used on the stovetop or in the oven, and you don’t have to worry about a hot pan getting too close to your face.
Crockpots can be used for both full meals and desserts for anyone and helps many home cooks provide delicious dishes. Making a dessert in a crock pot is so easy and fun. I love to make desserts for my family, but they are always the same: cake or pie. This year I decided to try something different for my kids. This recipe of “baked” cinnamon apples was a great experiment to a new dessert that I will make over and over.
Can I Bake These in a Standard Oven?
Don’t have a crock pot? No problem. You can also make this recipe by baking the cinnamon apples in the oven. Just be sure to get an oven proof dish or pan and then be sure to use cooking spray. Place the apple slice mixture within the greased 9×13 inch pan and cook the apples at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 30-40 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes as recommended by blogger Veronika from Veronika’s Kitchen . The cooking time for baking in the oven may be quicker, but you lose the aromatics that the crock pot can bring you for hours.
Did you try this recipe? Did you like it? Leave a comment below and let me know. I would also love to see another fantastic fall recipe from YOU, dear reader. Cheers, Lulu.
Lulu’s Jubilee: Where life is BEST celebrated.
