These cinnamon-spiced stewed apples are super easy to make and can be used in so many different ways.
Apart from the usual crumbles and pies, they can also be used in muffins, loaf cakes, chutney, and even served as a quick dessert with ice-cream or creamy custard!
Stewing apples from my big old apple tree is one of my favourite things to do during September. The great thing about these stewed apples is that they are so versatile, and best of all freeze really well!
Don't forget to check out my stewed rhubarb and stewed plum recipes too!
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✔️ Why should you try it?
- Easy to make
- Freezer friendly
- Can be used in so many different bakes and desserts
🥘 Ingredients
- Cooking Apples - washed, peeled, and quartered. I use Bramley apples, the most popular type of cooking apple.
- Lemon Juice - a quick squeeze of lemon juice helps prevent the apples from browning, whilst you're peeling and chopping.
- Brown Sugar - I find that brown sugar gives the apples a lovely caramel undertone.
- Cinnamon Stick - provides a subtle warmth to apples without being too overpowering.
- Water - a splash of water helps break the cooking apples down during cooking.
🔪 Instructions
The recipe card with ingredient quantities and detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the post
One: Wash, peel and chop the cooking apples into 3-4 cm chunks.
Two: Weigh out the sugar, cut the lemon in half and get a cinnamon stick from your spice cupboard.
Three: Put the chopped apples in a pan and squeeze over a little lemon juice (about half a lemon). Stir in the brown sugar, cinnamon stick, and 20ml of water.
Four: Simmer on the hob, stirring often, for about 15 minutes. Allow to cool and test the sweetness. Add more sugar or honey if needed.
🍴 Serving suggestions
There are so many ways to use stewed apple. Here are a few idea's to try;
- Apple pies
- Crumbles - plum and apple crumble or my apple and mincemeat crumble is a big hit at Christmas
- Muffins - you could try replacing the mincemeat in my spiced mincemeat muffins with stewed apples
- Served on scotch pancakes
- Red cabbage
- Cakes - my apple crumble loaf cake with custard icing on my Cornish food blog Jam & Clotted Cream, is a huge hit in this house
- Chutney
- Stuffing
- Sausage rolls
- Apple sauce
- Apple turnovers - my apple and blackberry turnovers are a popular after-school snack in this house
📖 Variations
- Make the stewed apple healthier by omitting the sugar and using honey to sweeten the apples instead. It's best to do this after they have been stewed and cooled.
- Swap the cinnamon stick for 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
- Flavour the apples with vanilla instead of cinnamon. Use a vanilla pod or 1 teaspoon of vanilla paste.
🥡 Storage
The stewed apples will keep in a sealed container in the fridge for up to a week. I often stir them into porridge or greek yogurt for breakfast or serve with custard or ice cream for a quick dessert.
🧊 Suitable for freezing?
Stewed apples freeze really well. Let the apples cool completely and place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Did you know you can also store crumble topping in the freezer too? I never like to be too far away from a homemade apple crumble!
❓ FAQS
What are the best apples for stewing?
Any apples can be stewed in this way, but if you're using eating apples you will need to reduce the amount of sugar you add to them. I personally prefer to use cooking apples.
Are stewed apples healthy?
To make the stewed apples healthier, you could replace the brown sugar with a reduced amount of honey
😋Related recipes
Here are some more recipes using apples;
- Apple and caramel loaf cake
- Apple muffins
- Apple and blackberry turnovers
- Apple and blackberry crumble
- Apple crumble bars
- Butterscotch apples with rice pudding
- Spiced apple chutney
- Microwave apple sponge pudding
Have you seen my blueberry compote recipe? Another delicious recipe using seasonal fruit!
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Recipe
Cinnamon-Spiced Stewed Apples
Ingredients
- 1 kg Cooking Apples
- 1 Lemon juice only
- 110 g Light Brown Sugar
- 1 Cinnamon Stick
- 20 ml Water
Instructions
- Peel and chop the cooking apples and place in a pan, Squeeze lemon juice over them (juice of half a lemon should be enough).
- Mix in the light brown sugar, cinnamon stick and water.
- Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring often to prevent the apples sticking to the bottom of the pan. If you find the apples are a bit watery just spoon any excess water out.
- Allow to cool and test sweetness. If you want the apples to be a bit sweeter add more sugar or honey.
Lisalia
Yummy! Cinnamon and apple is one of my favorite fall flavor combos. These were delicious!
Chichi
Apple and cinnamon are a great combination and perfect for fall. This stewed Apple must be delicious. Can’t wait to try it.
Jersey Girl Cooks
Yum! I always need a batch of these is my fridge!
Cate
Oh these look just perfect for fall! I bet they make your home smell amazing while baking too, saving!
Priya Lakshminarayan
That just sounds so comforting! Loving the flavors here
Dannii
I adore cinnamon apple and these look amazing. Lots of ways to use them too.
Jen
Thanks for giving freezing directions. I think I'll put them in single serving size pouches to grab easily. So perfect for Fall!
Alison
We went apple picking this weekend and have a ton of apples to use! I've been looking for some simple recipes, and this one is perfect! I have all the ingredients already, and this recipe is so easy and delicious!
Maria San Juan
This definitely looks like it could also use a scoop of Vanilla ice cream. Very awesome and easy recipe ^_^ Thank you for sharing it.
Beth
My husband is going to love this recipe! Can't wait to give this a try!