11 Classic French Dishes You Need to Know - The Spruce Eats
11 Classic French Dishes to Master · An Impressive Appetizer: A Savory, Flavorful Tart · A French Bistro Salad: The Classic Nicoise · For the Soup: ...
caramelized apples
French cuisine features many delicious appetizers, from simple to complex. A tart is an ideal recipe to start with as it feeds the whole group and you only have to slice it to serve. A classic tarte aux pommes is the delicious apple tart found in every patisserie and restaurant in France. It comes filled with a soft, sweet homemade frangipane filling topped off with <anchor>caramelized apples</anchor> and fanned in the distinctive, striking spiral pattern making it instantly recognizable. Finished with a light apricot jam glaze, this classic dish is loved around the world, not just in France.
Caramelized Apples Recipe
Caramelized Apples Recipe
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# Caramelized Apples

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[Rebecca Franklin](https://www.thespruceeats.com/rebecca-franklin-1374765)

[Rebecca Franklin](https://www.thespruceeats.com/rebecca-franklin-1374765)

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Rebecca Franklin is a freelance lifestyle writer and recipe developer. Her expertise is in French cuisine, which she writes about and teaches.

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Updated on 02/1/22

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![Caramelized apple recipe](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/1y1-O_w0rD6LRV5DZ8QQDOzwRQA=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/caramelized-apples-recipe-1375146-hero-01-5c6f6ac446e0fb00017189a7.jpg)

The Spruce

Prep: 5 mins

Cook: 15 mins

Total: 20 mins

Servings: 6 servings

21 ratings

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Whether you need [a quick dessert](https://www.thespruceeats.com/chocolate-delight-dessert-3053473) or want a flavorful topping for crepes or [homemade ice cream](https://www.thespruceeats.com/no-churn-ice-cream-4687010), caramelized apples are the perfect recipe. The [apples](https://www.thespruceeats.com/seasonal-apple-recipes-4150416) are meant to be just ever so slightly sweet, not overpowering and sugary, so they’re versatile in nature. Spicy-tart and thoroughly warming, they make a fabulous addition to a variety of dishes, from French toast to [pork chops](https://www.thespruceeats.com/apple-pork-chops-482105).

The apples are sautéed in butter, sugar, and cinnamon until tender and caramelized, and then apple cider is added to make a thick sauce. This mixture is the ideal filling for a "cheater" version of a [tarte tatin](https://www.thespruceeats.com/gluten-free-apple-tarte-tatin-recipe-1450967) or even an apple pie.

## Ingredients

- 3tablespoonsunsalted butter

- 5 crisp apples, such as Jonagold, Crispin, or Honeycrisp, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice

- 3tablespoonsgranulated sugar, divided

- 1/2teaspoonground cinnamon

- 1/4teaspoon [lemon zest](https://www.thespruceeats.com/how-to-zest-lemons-305298)

- 1/3cup homemade or store-bought apple cider

- 1/2teaspooncornstarch, as needed, optional

- 1teaspoonwater, optional


## Steps to Make It

01. Gather the ingredients.









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02. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.









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03. Add the apples to the pan and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon sugar.









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04. Sauté the apples, frequently stirring, for 6 to 8 minutes until they just begin to turn tender. Be careful not to overcook, or the apples will begin to fall apart and become mushy.









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05. Sprinkle the apples with the remaining sugar, the cinnamon, and lemon zest. Toss the mixture gently and cook over medium heat for an additional 2 minutes until the sugar begins to caramelize and the apples are crisp-tender.









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06. Transfer the apples with a slotted spoon from the skillet to a serving bowl.









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07. Turn the heat up to high and add the apple cider to the skillet, scraping up any browned bits.









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08. Reduce the heat slightly and allow the cider and the pan juices to simmer for 1 to 3 minutes until the sauce has reduced and thickened.









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09. If you want a thicker sauce, dissolve the cornstarch in a teaspoon of water and stir the [slurry](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thicken-a-sauce-with-cornstarch-996071) into the sauce. Cook the sauce for a few minutes, allowing it to thicken. Taste before serving to make sure the cornstarch is cooked through; if not it will have a raw, grainy, unpleasant taste.









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10. Pour the finished sauce over the warm apples and serve immediately.









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### How to Use

These tender caramelized apples are delicious on their own, but also make a spectacular topping for a wide range of dishes. Serve at breakfast or brunch on top of oatmeal, waffles, pancakes, or yogurt, or at dinner spooned over roasted turkey, chicken, or pot roast. They are, of course, perfect to dress up dessert time when placed on top of pound cake and puff pastry, or used as a filling for pies and tarts.

### Make Your Own Apple Cider

You can easily buy a bottle of apple cider at the market, but if you want to go all out, [make your own](https://www.thespruceeats.com/hot-apple-cider-recipes-766080) for that special touch. You do need to plan ahead as it can take a little time, usually about an hour. Just boil some apples in water and sugar, cinnamon, and allspice to taste. Strain the apple mixture after cooking and discard the solids. Make more than the 1/3 cup called for in this recipe so you can sip and enjoy it as a beverage.

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Nutrition Facts (per serving)113Calories6g Fat16g Carbs0g Protein

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Nutrition FactsServings: 6Amount per servingCalories113% Daily Value\*Total Fat 6g8%Saturated Fat 4g18%Cholesterol 15mg5%Sodium 2mg0%Total Carbohydrate 16g6%Dietary Fiber 2g8%Total Sugars 13gProtein 0gVitamin C 10mg48%Calcium 11mg1%Iron 0mg1%Potassium 114mg2%_\*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice._

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Recipe Tags:

- [Apple](https://www.thespruceeats.com/search?q=Apple&page=1&searchType=recipe)
- [caramelized apple](https://www.thespruceeats.com/search?q=caramelized+apple&page=1&searchType=recipe)
- [dessert](https://www.thespruceeats.com/search?q=&page=1&searchType=recipe&fh=eyJmYWNldHMiOnsiZ3JvdXBfY291cnNlIjpbeyJ2YWx1ZSI6ImRlc3NlcnQiLCJkaXNwbGF5TmFtZSI6ImRlc3NlcnQifV19fQ)
- [american](https://www.thespruceeats.com/search?q=&page=1&searchType=recipe&fh=eyJmYWNldHMiOnsiZ3JvdXBfY3Vpc2luZSI6W3sidmFsdWUiOiJhbWVyaWNhbiIsImRpc3BsYXlOYW1lIjoiYW1lcmljYW4ifV19fQ)

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