Old Fashioned Fried Apples in a Cast Iron Skillet

My mother’s baked apples were one of my favorite comfort foods. They were so good, but they took their sweet time. These old fashioned fried apples give you that same baked apple goodness in a few minutes, with just a handful of ingredients.

Ingredients

• 4 medium Granny Smith apples
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 stick butter
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

How to Make Fried Apples

• Peel the apples and slice them lengthwise, not too thin. You can leave the peel on, but we like them peeled.
• Add the apples and about 1 cup of water to a skillet. You just need enough water on the bottom to make steam, not enough to cover the apples.
• Cover and cook until the apples are just barely tender, about 5 to 8 minutes. Watch them closely.
• Drain the liquid and save it.
• Add the butter and brown sugar to the apples and stir gently. Sprinkle in the cinnamon.
• Stir the cornstarch into the reserved liquid and pour it back over the apples.
• Turn up the heat and cook a couple more minutes, just until the syrup is nice and thick.
• Take the skillet off the heat and stir in the vanilla. Serve warm.

Don’t Overcook the Apples

This is the one thing to watch. Cook them too long and you’ll have applesauce, which isn’t bad, but pretty apple slices are nicer. Everything else is forgiving, even the amount of water.

Serve Them Warm

A scoop of vanilla ice cream on top makes them feel special. This makes about four servings, and it’s the kind of simple comfort food that works for any meal and anyone at your table.

Looking for more? Check out my other favorite comfort foods.

Baked Mac & Cheese

Recipe for Country Potato Soup