How to stew apples
Learn how to make the best stewed apples with our simple recipe and top tips. Try this fruity favourite with your morning porridge or as part of a dessert.
Gently cooked apples make an easy comforting pudding simply served warm with a dollop of cream or ice cream, or as part of a wholesome breakfast served cold with yogurt and granola. To get a really soft texture use cooking apples such as Bramley while, for a chunkier result, it's better to use seasonal eating apples – or you could try a mixture of both.
Got a seasonal glut of apples? Discover more of our delicious apple recipes, and also read our guide on how to freeze apples. You can also find plenty more tips on how to store apples, at GardenersWorld.com.
What are the main ingredients?
- 500g apples, approx. 5 apples
- 50g caster sugar
- 1 tbsp of water
How do you cook apples?
- Peel and core the apples and roughly chop into chunks.
- Heat a pan over a medium heat and place the apple pieces into the pan with the sugar and 1 tbsp water. Give it a little stir before covering the pan with a lid and cook for 3-4 mins. Stir gently then cover again and continue to cook gently until the apples are really soft. Cooking apples will really fall apart whereas eating apples will retain their shape.
- Taste the mixture and add more sugar if the apples are too sharp, or a dash of lemon juice if they are too sweet. Serve warm or leave to cool and store, covered in the fridge, for up to 5 days.
Can I improve the flavour?
If you prefer the apples with less or no sugar, just up the amount of water to 100ml, adding more if the mixture dries out during cooking. Sweeten to taste with sugar, honey, maple syrup or agave once the apples are soft. Spice up the basic compote recipe with storecupboard ingredients; try adding a pinch of cinnamon, mixed spice or ground ginger to bring out the flavour and natural sweetness in the fruit.
Stewed apple recipe ideas
Stewed apples are, of course, a key component to many a sweet treat, but the caramel, slightly tart quality is also a great complement to pork dishes from a Sunday roast to sausage and mash.
Date & apple squares
Use your stewed apples to enhance the chewy texture and earthy, oaty sweetness of this traybake. It makes a great seasonal pick-me-up with your cup of tea for when the days get chillier.
Apple, pear & cherry compote
Mix cooked apples, pears, and sour cherries to make a super easy and satisfying pudding. Serve the compote with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream for a pleasing contrast to the warm fruit.
Sausages with apple mash
Leave the sugar out of our original recipe and fold the gently cooked apple through mashed potato. Fabulous served with gently spiced Cumberland sausages and a simple onion gravy. Comfort food doesn't get any better.
Creamy porridge with spiced apple & cranberry
Stewed apples heaped on top of warm, creamy porridge makes the ultimate breakfast for a bleak winter morning. Cranberries bring a festive twist with rich ruby colour to match the vibrant fruit flavours.
Get more recipe inspiration...
Our ultimate apple recipe collection
Our best ever apple cake recipes
The health benefits of apples
Do you know another way to enjoy stewed apples? Leave a comment below...
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