🍑Cinnamon Caramelized Apples

Cinnamon Caramelized Apple | Plant-Based Recipe

This Cinnamon Caramelized Apple recipe turns everyday apples into a warm topping for pancakes, oatmeal, waffles, plant-based yogurt or simple desserts. The apples cook on the stovetop with maple syrup, cinnamon, lemon and plant-based butter until they are soft around the edges, lightly saucy and full of classic apple-cinnamon flavor.

Servings: About 2 cups | Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 12 to 15 minutes

Ingredients

• 4 medium apples, peeled and diced, about 4 cups (520 g.)

• 1 tbsp. (15 g.) plant-based butter

• 2 tbsp. (30 ml.) maple syrup

• 1 tbsp. (15 ml.) fresh lemon juice

• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon

• ¼ tsp. vanilla extract

• Pinch of fine sea salt

• 1 to 2 tbsp. (15 to 30 ml.) water, as needed

Directions

1. Add the plant-based butter to a medium skillet or saucepan and warm over medium heat until melted.

2. Add the diced apples, maple syrup, lemon juice, cinnamon, vanilla and salt. Stir until the apples are evenly coated.

3. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples begin to release their juices.

4. Reduce the heat to medium-low and continue cooking for 7 to 10 minutes, stirring often, until the apples are soft but still hold their shape and the liquid has turned glossy and syrupy.

5. If the pan gets too dry before the apples soften, add water 1 tbsp. (15 ml.) at a time and continue cooking.

6. Taste and adjust with a little more cinnamon, lemon juice or maple syrup, if needed.

7. Serve warm over pancakes, waffles, oatmeal, toast, plant-based yogurt or dairy-free vanilla ice cream.

Make It Yours

• For a thicker topping, stir 1 tsp. (3 g.) cornstarch with 1 tbsp. (15 ml.) cold water, then add it during the last 2 minutes of cooking.

• For a deeper flavor, add 1 tbsp. (15 ml.) apple cider or orange juice with the lemon juice.

• For crunch, finish with chopped walnuts, pecans or toasted pumpkin seeds.

• For a pie-style version, add a pinch of nutmeg and a pinch of ground ginger with the cinnamon.

Kitchen Notes

• Use apples that hold their shape when cooked, such as Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Gala, Fuji or Granny Smith. Softer apples will still taste good, but they may break down into more of a chunky sauce.

• Dice the apples into small, even pieces so they cook at the same rate and sit neatly on pancakes like the topping shown in the image.

• Keep the heat moderate once the apples start to soften. The goal is a glossy caramelized finish, not a dry or scorched pan.

Pairs Well With

Serve these apples with vegan pancakes, waffles, French toast, oatmeal, chia pudding, coconut yogurt, vanilla plant-based ice cream, baked oatmeal or cinnamon toast.