Sunday, March 12, 2017

 Mother's Holiday Cinnamon Apples






 
Every holiday, my Mom would cook a feast.  Part of that feast would always be these delicious cinnamon apples.  I had my sister send me this recipe in 2003 and have making them ever since.
 
Here’s what she sent:
 
Mother’s Apple Recipe
 
Core and pare 4-6 apples in halves. (Mother told me to use Red Delicious although she didn’t write that in the recipe.)  Dissolve a 5 oz package of cinnamon candies, ½ cup sugar, and 1½ cups water.  When syrup begins to boil, add apples and simmer until apples are tender and pink.  Chill until served.
 
Then she added this comment:
 
I have made these 3 times.  The first time, they cooked to mush.  Mother said I cooked them too slow and didn’t use the right kind of apples.  The 2nd time, they were not pink all the way through.  Mother said I cooked them too fast (too high heat.)  The 3rd time, I decided to just eat them when Mother makes them.  Haha!
 
Since then, I have played with the recipe until I got it the way I want it.  Here’s how I changed the recipe.
 
Ron’s Red Hot Apples
 
Core and pare 4 large or 6 medium red delicious apples.
Dissolve 9 oz package red hots (cinnamon candies) with 1 cup sugar and 3 cups water.
When all candy is dissolved, the mixture will be boiling.  Turn down heat to a low boil.  Add apple halves.
Simmer uncovered for 60 minutes, turning every fifteen minutes.
Put apples along with juice into bowl, cover and let sit at least three hours before serving.
 
I think letting them sit in the fridge overnight after cooking is even better.

 
 
Sometimes I like to slice them instead of halves.  I’ve also done this leaving the skin on. Slices cook a little faster, 35-45 minutes.  You want the apples to have a translucent look.
 
Sometimes, I served these with a spoon full of cottage cheese.
I’ve also used them as dessert with vanilla ice cream.
 
They are so good!  I think you’ll enjoy them.