Cracker Barrel Copycat: Sweet & Spicy Fried Apples

Cracker Barrel Copycat Sweet Spicy Fried Apples

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Preparation time:10 Mins

Cooking time:25 Mins

Servings:6 servings

Ingredients:

• 6 medium apples (such as Gala, Honeycrisp, or Fuji), peeled, cored, and sliced about ¼-inch thick (approximately 1.3 kg or 2.9 lbs)
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (57g or 2 oz)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar (100g or 3.5 oz)
• 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar (50g or 1.75 oz)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (5g or 0.17 oz)
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (0.5g or 0.017 oz)
• Pinch of ground cloves (optional)
• 1/4 cup water (60 ml or 2 fl oz)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice (15 ml or 0.5 fl oz) (optional, to prevent browning)

Instructions:

• Peel, core, and slice the apples. Toss with lemon juice (if using) to prevent browning.
• Melt the butter in the large skillet over medium heat.
• Stir in the granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves (if using).
• Add the sliced apples to the skillet. Stir to coat them evenly with the sugar spice mixture.
• Pour in the water. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
• Reduce heat to low, cover the skillet, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the apples are tender but still hold their shape, stirring occasionally.
• If the sauce is too thin, remove the lid and increase the heat slightly to reduce and thicken the sauce, stirring constantly, for a few minutes.
• Serve warm. These fried apples cracker barrel style are delicious!

Nutrition Facts

Calories	180
Fat	8g
Fiber	3g

Recipe Info

Category	Side Dish, Dessert
Cuisine	American

Alright, let's get down to it, shall we? Have you ever had that craving for something sweet, comforting, and just plain good ? I know I have.

Recipe Introduction: Sweet 'n' Spicy Goodness

Well, look no further, because we're about to dive headfirst into a recipe that'll tick all those boxes. we're talking fried apples cracker barrel style.

Yep, that's right. get ready for the perfect side dish!

Quick Hook

Seriously, who doesn't love those warm, cinnamon-y Cracker Barrel apples ? This recipe brings that flavour home. Expect a sweet and spicy kick that'll have you reaching for seconds.

Brief Overview

These fried apples are pure southern comfort, y'all. while not ancient, they've become a modern classic. this recipe is easy peasy, taking only around 35 minutes from start to finish.

It makes about 6 servings. share or don't, i won't judge.

Main Benefits

Apples are good for you, right? That makes this healthy ish. These are perfect for a cozy Sunday brunch. What makes these so special? They are so good!

Ready to get started? First, let's gather our ingredients.

Getting Started: What You'll Need

Here's the lowdown on what you'll need. Don't worry, most of it's probably already in your pantry.

• About 6 medium apples Gala, Honeycrisp, or Fuji work great.
• 4 tablespoons of butter.
• ½ cup granulated sugar, because we like things sweet.
• ¼ cup packed light brown sugar, for that molasses depth.
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon.
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg.
• Just a pinch of ground cloves.
• ¼ cup of water.
• And maybe a tablespoon of lemon juice.

What to Do

Now, let's talk about how to turn these ingredients into something amazing.

1. Peel, core, and slice those apples. Don't forget the lemon juice!
2. Melt the butter in a big pan.
3. Stir in your sugars and spices.
4. Toss in those apples.
5. Add water.
6. Simmer.
7. Thicken.
8. Serve warm.

More to the Story

My grandma used to make these on cool fall evenings. The smell of cinnamon filled the whole house. I can almost smell it now.

Make it Your Own

Want to get creative? Throw in some dried cranberries for a festive twist! This recipe is easy to do, just be sure to not over cook them.

These Slow Cooker Cracker Barrel Fried Apples are a game changer! If you try it, let me know in the comments!

Okay, let's get cooking! This fried apples Cracker Barrel copycat recipe? It's pure comfort baking . Honestly, it's one of those things where you just know it's gonna be good.

Ingredients & Equipment: Let’s Get This Show on the Road

Here's the lowdown on what you'll need. Don't stress, most of it's probably already in your kitchen.

Main Ingredients: The Apple of Your Eye

• Apples: 6 medium (about 2.9 lbs , or 1.3 kg ), like Gala or Honeycrisp. Make sure they are firm! Nobody likes mushy Cracker Barrel Apples , right?
• Butter: 4 tablespoons (about 57g ). Real butter is key, ya know?
• Sugar: 1/2 cup granulated ( 100g ) AND 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar ( 50g ). That brown sugar gives it that special flavour.
• Spices: 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon ( 5g ), and 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg ( 0.5g ). A pinch of ground cloves? Optional, but mmm , good.
• Water: 1/4 cup ( 60 ml ).
• Lemon Juice: 1 tablespoon ( 15 ml ) (optional, helps prevent browning).

When picking out apples, you want them firm to the touch. Soft apples will just turn to mush. Been there, done that learned my lesson! If you want the flavours to be really next level, I strongly recommend adding some lemon juice,

Seasoning Notes: Spice Up Your Life

Cinnamon and nutmeg are the stars. If you're feeling adventurous, add a teeny tiny pinch of cloves or even ginger. No nutmeg? You know what you could do, you could try allspice in that case!

Want a deeper flavour? Throw in a splash of vanilla extract near the end. Honestly, it's amazing . For something like Slow Cooker Cracker Barrel Fried Apples the spices have plenty of time to meld together and are crucial!

Equipment Needed: Keep It Simple

• Large skillet or saute pan (cast iron is your friend here)
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Apple peeler, corer, and knife

Don't have a fancy apple corer? A regular old knife works just fine. I've been using the same paring knife for years! If you are in a hurry to make these, and don't want to do it in a pan, feel free to try Apples in Crockpot

Now you have your ingredients, let's get started! you might even find a chocolate fudge recipe easy to pair with the apples.

Think apple pie biscuits would be good with cracker barrel fried apples too.

Okay, let's get cookin' with some fried apples cracker barrel style! honestly, who doesn't love those things? they're like a warm hug on a plate.

And trust me, this recipe is easier than you think. forget stressing out; it's all about that comfort baking . i even have some secrets to making it quicker.

Prep Like a Pro: Apple solutely Essential

First things first: mise en place , darling. that means "everything in its place." trust me, it makes life so much easier.

Peel, core, and slice 6 medium apples. i like gala or honeycrisp, but really, whatever's lookin' good at the market.

Aim for about ¼-inch thick slices, alright? if you’re really organised, get all your spices ready too. it will make you feel super organised when you start to cook.

Time saving tip: if you're worried about browning, a little lemon juice (about 1 tablespoon ) is your best friend. toss the apple slices in it.

Ta-da! it keeps the apples nice and bright.

From Pan to Plate: Fried Apple Magic

Ready to cook? Let's do this thing. Here's the super simple breakdown:

1. Melt 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Cast iron is ideal if you have it.
2. Stir in ½ cup granulated sugar, ¼ cup packed brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, and a tiny pinch of cloves (if you're feelin' fancy).
3. Add the apple slices to the skillet and coat 'em good with all that sugary spiced goodness.
4. Pour in ¼ cup water. Bring it to a gentle simmer.
5. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and simmer for 15- 20 minutes . Stir now and then. You want the apples tender but not mushy , you know?
6. If the sauce seems too thin, take the lid off and crank up the heat a little for a couple minutes. Keep stirring until it thickens up.

And that’s it! Now you have great Cracker Barrel Apples .

Pro Tips for Apple solute Perfection

Want to take your fried apples cracker barrel to the next level? Here's what I've learned over the years:

• Don't overcrowd the pan! It steams the apples instead of frying them. Cook in batches if you need to.
• The biggest mistake? Overcooking! Check those apples often.
• You can actually make this ahead of time. Just store in the fridge and reheat gently on the stove.

Honestly, these apples in crockpot would work great too, but i prefer the skillet for that nice caramelization. if you’re looking for an easy slow cooker dessert , try this and thank me later.

The great thing about these apples, is that they are so versatile you can make apple pie biscuits or add them as a topping to an ice cream.

If you want to get really creative, you could even try adding them to chocolate fudge recipes easy , i know, sounds weird, but just trust me.

Another interesting use could be using it as a roaster recipes for pork, but that is for another day. so there you have it! my spin on those beloved cracker barrel fried apples .

Go on, give it a go and tell me what you think!

Alright, let's chat about the finishing touches on our fried apples cracker barrel copycat recipe. honestly, this is where you can really make it your own.

It's all about tweaking and serving it up in a way that makes you happy.

Recipe Notes

Serving Like a Pro

Think about how you want to present your cracker barrel apples . are we going for rustic chic or something a bit more fancy? i personally love serving them in small bowls, kinda like slow cooker cracker barrel fried apples , with a sprinkle of cinnamon on top.

For sides, honestly, you can't go wrong with some crispy bacon or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. a warm glass of apple cider is another winner, especially during the autumn months.

They're great on top of apple pie biscuits .

Storing Your Apple Goodness

So, you've made a big batch, and now you have leftovers? no worries. let them cool down completely before popping them into an airtight container.

They'll happily sit in the fridge for about 3-4 days. for reheating, a quick zap in the microwave or a gentle warm-up in a pan will do the trick.

Freezing? Yeah, you can freeze them. But honestly, they might lose a bit of their texture. But, if you are doing it, portion them out first!

Variations - Get Creative!

One of my favorite things about this recipe is how easy it is to adapt. for a vegan version, simply swap the butter for coconut oil or a vegan butter alternative.

I have had success with both options.

If you're watching your sugar intake, you can use a brown sugar substitute. it might alter the taste slightly, but it still gives you that lovely sweetness.

You can even make this recipe using apples in crockpot ! seriously, these are some of the best slow cooker dessert recipes.

Or try roaster recipes for your thanksgiving dinner side!

Nutrition Lowdown

Okay, so, let's be real, these aren't exactly health food. but hey, life's too short to skip dessert! each serving is roughly around 180 calories, with a good chunk of that coming from sugar and butter.

But! apples are packed with fiber, so you're getting some good stuff too. they make excellent comfort baking !

Cracker Barrel Fried Apples: Time to get Cooking

I hope you love this recipe as much as i do. it really does feel like a warm hug on a plate.

I hope you find the fried apples cracker barrel to be as easy and tasty to make as it is to devour.

If you like this try my chocolate fudge recipes easy too! happy cooking, folks!