Ingredients
Scale
- ½ cup butter (unsalted)
- 6 Granny Smith apples (peeled, cored, and sliced into even pieces)
- ½ cup granulated white sugar
- ¼ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 pinch nutmeg
- 1 pinch salt
- 6 scoops of vanilla ice cream (optional, for serving)
Instructions
1. Melt the Butter
- Place a large cast-iron skillet on the stove over medium heat.
- Add the butter to the skillet and allow it to melt, swirling occasionally to prevent it from burning. You’ll know it’s ready when the butter starts to bubble slightly.
2. Cook the Apples
- Add your sliced apples to the skillet. Give them a gentle stir so they’re coated in the melted butter.
- Cover the skillet with a lid and reduce the heat to low. Allow the apples to cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally to make sure they don’t stick to the bottom or burn.
- The apples should soften and become tender. This is the point where you get the heavenly smell filling your kitchen!
3. Add the Sugar and Spices
- While the apples cook, take a small bowl and mix together the white sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- Once the apples have softened, sprinkle the sugar and spice mixture over them, stirring gently to combine.
- Let the apples cook for an additional 5-10 minutes, stirring often. The sugar should dissolve into the butter, creating a syrupy consistency that clings to the apples.
4. Serve
- These fried apples are best served warm. You can either serve them as a side dish to accompany roasted meats or as a dessert over a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- If you’re serving them as a dessert, the contrast between the warm apples and cold ice cream is simply irresistible.
Notes
- Apple Selection: Granny Smith apples are ideal for this recipe because they balance tartness with a firm texture that holds up well when cooked. However, you can experiment with other varieties, such as Honeycrisp or Gala, for a sweeter twist.
- Preventing Overcooking: Keep an eye on the apples as they cook. If you’re not sure whether they’re done, try poking one with a fork – it should be soft but not mushy.
- Butter Alternatives: If you want to reduce the richness, you can substitute the butter with coconut oil or even a light olive oil. This won’t alter the flavor too much but will make the dish a little lighter.
- Sugar Substitutes: You can use maple syrup instead of the granulated sugar and brown sugar if you prefer a more natural sweetener. Adjust the amount to taste.
- Too Sweet? If you find the apples are a little too sweet for your taste, add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end to balance out the sweetness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes