Description
Tender, cinnamon-scented apples slow-cooked in a buttery brown sugar sauce, just like the cozy Cracker Barrel classic, made effortlessly in your slow cooker.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into pats
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat Your Equipment: Lightly grease the inside of the slow cooker with butter or nonstick spray.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, toss apple slices with brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice until evenly coated.
- Prepare Your Cooking Vessel: Transfer the apples to the slow cooker and dot the top evenly with the butter pats.
- Assemble the Dish: Stir the cornstarch and water together to make a smooth slurry, then drizzle it over the apples.
- Cook to Perfection: Cover and cook on Low for 3 to 4 hours, until the apples are tender yet still hold their shape.
- Finishing Touches: Gently stir to coat every slice in the glossy sauce. If the sauce seems thin, uncover for the last 20 to 30 minutes to thicken.
- Serve and Enjoy: Spoon warm apples into bowls or over pancakes, waffles, biscuits, or vanilla ice cream.
Notes
- Use firm apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji to prevent mushiness.
- Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract at the end of cooking for extra aroma.
- For brighter flavor, add an extra squeeze of lemon juice to taste.
- To prep ahead, hold sliced apples in cold water with a little lemon juice to prevent browning.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: about 1 cup
- Calories: 285
- Sugar: 45 g
- Sodium: 40 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 58 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 0.5 g
- Cholesterol: 31 mg
Keywords: Cracker Barrel fried apples, slow cooker fried apples, crockpot apples, cinnamon apples, copycat Cracker Barrel, country fried apples, Southern side dish, easy apple recipe