Apples are poached in a cinnamon spiced syrup infused with fresh cranberries in this easy but impressive dessert.
These poached apples are just the thing for a simple family supper or a holiday get-together when you’re short on time. Cooked fruit are one of the simplest of sweets but also the most comforting.
Sweet, spicy and just a little bit tart, it’s also the kind of recipe that’s just at home for breakfast as it is for dessert, and the best part is you can make them ahead of time since they only get better as they sit. An overnight rest in the fridge gives the flavors a chance to mingle and infuse the apples even further.
How to make poached apples:
- Poaching apples is easier than you think. You just combine your spices, with fresh cranberries and water in a saucepan and set it on the stove to heat. The tartness of the cranberries helps to balance the sweetness of the apples and creates a pretty pink syrup.
- While you’re waiting for everything to warm up is the perfect time to prepare the apples for their bath. The apples are peeled, halved and cored then placed in the poaching liquid, covered and set aside to gently simmer and infuse.
- Once the apples are tender they are removed from the poaching liquid which is then further simmered until it's syrupy. You can serve the poached apples warm or chill them first in the fridge before serving.
The resulting poached apples are silky and gently spiced, while the cranberry syrup is spicy and lightly sweet. The apples take on a rosy hue and translucent quality as they sit in the fridge with the dried cherries that plump and become soft and juicy.
The aroma that fills the kitchen as they poach is a nice little bonus. There’s nothing quite as comforting as the sweet smell of spices wafting through the air during the winter months and the cozy scent begins to envelop you as soon after you set everything to a simmer.
How to serve:
I like to serve the apples covered in their syrup (add a little cream on the side to dress them up if you’d like) or on top of yogurt if I’m having them for breakfast.
More apple recipes:
Cinnamon Poached Apples
Apples are poached in a cinnamon spiced syrup infused with fresh cranberries in this easy but impressive dessert.
Ingredients
- 2 cups/480g filtered water
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- ½ vanilla bean, split and seeds scraped
- 3 whole star anise
- ¼ cup/60ml honey or maple syrup for a vegan version (NOTE: If you use maple syrup your apples will not be as brightly colored)
- 3oz/ 84g fresh cranberries, washed and sorted
- 8 to 10 (about ½ lb) small crimson gold apples, peeled, cored, and halved
- ¼ cup/28g dried unsweetened cherries
Instructions
- Bring water, cinnamon, vanilla bean and seeds, star anise, sweetener of choice and cranberries to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes (you want the cranberries to pop) while you prep the apples.
- Add apples, place a piece of parchment on top to submerge the apples; cover and simmer until just tender (about 5 minutes).
- Remove poached apples with a strainer and set aside.
- Bring the cranberry spice liquid back to a low boil and reduce in volume for about 5 minutes (the syrup will continue to thicken as it cools).
- Remove from heat and pour through a fine mesh strainer over the apples pressing on the solids to remove all the liquid. Discard the spices and cooked cranberries. Add the dried cherries to the cranberry, apple mixture and cool, cover and refrigerate overnight.
- To serve, spoon the apples and fruit into bowls and drizzle the syrup around them.
Notes
Gluten-Free, Grain-Free, Vegan, Paleo
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
-
Organic Dried Cherries, Dried Fruit Snacks – Soft & Juicy Pitted Tart Cherry – Organic Fruit Snacks, Natural Dried Fruit Pouches, Non-GMO, Gluten-Free, Vegan Snacks (3 Pack - 4 Oz) -
Spicely Organic Cinnamon True Sticks (Ceylon) 6 Count Jar Certified Gluten Free -
Spicely Organic Anise Star Whole 0.10 Ounce ecoBox Certified Gluten Free
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 160Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 19mgCarbohydrates: 42gFiber: 2gSugar: 33gProtein: 0g
Nutritional information for recipes contained on this website, such as calories, fat, carbs, etc. are only estimates and are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Sylvie Shirazi is the recipe developer and food photographer behind Gourmande in the Kitchen. For the last 10 years she's been making eating more healthfully easy and accessible with gluten-free, grain-free, paleo and vegan recipes that are free from processed ingredients.
Abby @ The Frosted Vegan says
Well these look too pretty to eat!! But I'll eat them anyway : )
Lynn @ Order in the Kitchen says
This looks so fancy! I love it! 🙂
Kate @KateMovingForward says
Wow this looks great! Dried cherries are so versatile this time of year!
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says
I wish the smell could come through my screen! These poached apples are beautiful! I LOVE that you used star anise! Pinned!
Jeanne Horak-Druiff says
Oh wow - look at the colour! What a fabulously simple seasonal dish - you can even convince yourself you are eating it for your health, towards your five-a-day ;o)
Jaren (Diary of a Recipe Collector) says
I bet that smelled divine while it cooked up!
Jennifer Farley says
Everything you make always looks so amazing!
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts says
So gorgeous!!! I love the color, and the flavor has to be amazing. Anything with cinnamon is always a hit in our family.
Diane {Created by Diane} says
These look so darn pretty and I bet they are delicious!
Adri says
Oh, how beautiful. This one will make an appearance on our holiday table for certain! Mille grazie!