Description
Cracker Barrel Fried Apples brings Southern comfort straight to your kitchen table, where sweet cinnamon-kissed slices dance with buttery warmth and nostalgia. These golden-brown apple slices will have your family gathering around for seconds, eager to savor each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 medium apples
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup brown sugar
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Liquids:
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Carefully peel 4 medium apples, slicing them into uniform half-inch thick wedges that will cook evenly.
- Place a large skillet over medium heat, dropping in ¼ cup unsalted butter to melt smoothly and coat the pan’s surface.
- Gently transfer apple slices into the heated butter, spreading them across the skillet so each piece touches the surface directly.
- Allow apples to simmer for 5 minutes at 350°F, watching them soften and develop a slight golden edge without burning.
- Sprinkle ½ cup brown sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon across the apples, stirring to ensure every slice gets coated with the sweet mixture.
- Pour ¼ cup water and 1 tbsp lemon juice into the skillet, creating a caramelizing liquid that will help break down the apples.
- Continue cooking for 10-15 minutes at medium-low heat, stirring your apples every 3 minutes to prevent sticking and ensure even tenderness.
- Remove from heat when apples reach a soft, slightly translucent texture with a rich amber-colored sauce surrounding them.
- Transfer to a serving dish while warm, allowing the syrupy coating to glisten over your perfectly cooked fruit.
Notes
- Cut apples into uniform slices so they cook evenly and look beautiful on the plate.
- Choose firmer apple varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp that hold their shape during cooking and provide a nice balance of tartness.
- Adjust sugar amount based on the natural sweetness of your apples, tasting as you go to create the perfect level of sweetness.
- For a dairy-free version, swap butter with coconut oil or plant-based margarine to maintain the rich, caramelized flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: Fried
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 178 kcal
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 52 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 0.3 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg