Description
Cracker Barrel Fried Apples perfectly balance sweet and tangy flavors in this comforting Southern classic. Home cooks can recreate restaurant magic with minimal ingredients and simple slow cooker techniques.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 large apples (Granny Smith or Golden Delicious), peeled, cored, and sliced
- ⅓ cup (65 g) granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup (65 g) brown sugar, packed
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 3 tbsps unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
- ⅓ cup (80 mL) apple cider or water
Instructions
- Preparation: Peel, core, and slice apples into uniform half-inch wedges, then immediately toss with lemon juice to prevent browning.
- Seasoning: Arrange apple slices in slow cooker, generously sprinkle with sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg, ensuring complete coverage of fruit.
- Butter Placement: Strategically distribute small butter pieces across apple surface to infuse rich, caramelizing flavor throughout cooking process.
- Slow Cooking: Cover and set slow cooker to low heat, allowing apples to gently simmer and transform into a tender, golden-brown delicacy over 3-4 hours.
- Monitoring: Occasionally stir apples with soft spatula to prevent sticking and maintain structural integrity, creating an even caramelization.
- Finishing: Once apples reach perfect tenderness with a luxurious glaze, remove from heat and let rest briefly before serving.
- Serving: Present warm as an elegant side dish or dessert, optionally enhancing with a light cinnamon dusting or creamy whipped cream garnish.
Notes
- Prevent Browning: Lemon juice creates a protective barrier against oxidation, keeping apple slices fresh and preventing unsightly discoloration during cooking.
- Slice Uniformity Matters: Cut apple wedges precisely half-inch thick to ensure consistent cooking and prevent some pieces from becoming mushy while others remain undercooked.
- Butter Placement Strategy: Distribute butter pieces strategically across apple surface for even caramelization and rich, balanced flavor throughout the dish.
- Gentle Stirring Technique: Use soft spatula when checking apples to maintain their shape and prevent breaking, ensuring beautiful presentation and texture retention.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 154
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 53 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg