Spiced Apple Rings Recipe

Old-fashioned spiced apple rings are full of sweet, cinnamon goodness and so easy to make. They're the perfect side dish for pork and turkey. Let them sit in the syrup at least overnight for the best flavor.

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American - Southern

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Chilling Time 8

Total Time 8 30

Servings servings

Calories 217kcal

Author Marye Audet-White

Ingredients

¼ cup lemon juice keeps apples from darkening
2 pounds apples MacIntosh - Granny Smith - Honey Crisp - any firm fleshed apple that holds its shape when cooked
3 cups water divided use -more if needed
2 cups cinnamon candy Red Hots or Cinnamon Imperials - any hard cinnamon candy
1 tablespoon whole cloves
2 cinnamon sticks
1 guijillo chile optional - adds a little heat

Instructions

Add the lemon juice to 2 cups of water.
Peel and core apples - slice into ½ inch thick rings.
Drop the apple rings in the lemon juice as you finish each one.
Heat ½ cup of the remaining water and the cinnamon candies in a saucepan.
Stir often until the candy is completely melted, adding water as needed to keep the syrup from getting thick.
Add the guijillo chile (optional), whole cloves, and cinnamon sticks.
Drain the apple rings and pat dry.
Gently stir the apple rings into the syrup.
Cover and simmer, occasionally stirring gently, for 15 minutes or until apples are tender.
Add the rings to a storage container and cover with the cooking syrup.
Cover tightly and refrigerate overnight, or about 8 hours. Remove the cloves and cinnamon sticks before using.
Store unused apple rings in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Notes

CAUTION: DO NOT can this particular recipe. There isn't enough acid to do it safely. Freeze for longer storage

If you use very tangy apples add ¼ cup of sugar to the water with the red hots.
Use firm-fleshed, tart apples like MacIntosh, Honey Crisp, or Granny Smith
Watch the candies carefully as you melt them down. You don't want them to stick and burn.
If you happen to overcook the fruit don't worry about it - process it in the food processor for apple (or pear) sauce.
Save the red cinnamon syrup in the refrigerator. You can reuse it to make more spiced apple rings.

Storage

Store in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can freeze them for up to 3 months but they do get a little mushy when thawed.

Nutrition