Cinnamon Apples
Cinnamon apples are soft, sweet and delicious. Make them on the stovetop or bake them in the oven. They are a lovely snack, topping or dessert. They are also perfect for baby-led weaning.
Why This Recipe Works
- Quick: 15 minutes to cook
- Versatile, use them as a snack, dessert, breakfast, topping or even as a finger food for babies.
- Delicious, enjoyed by both the young and old.
- Waste not want not: The perfect way to use up the not-so-perfect apples in your fridge or fruit bowl.
Ingredients you will need
- Apples
- Butter
- Vanilla extract
- Cinnamon
Ingredient Notes and Substitutes
- Apples: You can of course use any apples, bruises etc are fine. An apple with a firm texture is better if you are planning to use these as a finger food. I like to use: Sweet apples such as; Pink Ladies, Sweet Tango, Eve, Ambrosia, Honey Crisp and Royal Gala as these sorts of apples hold their shape. Cooking apples such as Granny Smith or Fuji dissolve into almost a puree when cooked. So they are not the best type of apple to use if you are going to serve them as a finger food.
- Butter: Coconut oil can be used as a dairy-free alternative. I, however, love the richness a little butter brings to these apples.
- Vanilla extract: The vanilla extract is not essential and can be left out, although I like the flavor it adds to the cinnamon apples.
- Cinnamon: Well they wouldn't be cinnamon apples if they were made without cinnamon!
How To Make This Recipe Suitable For Baby-Led-Weaning
- Bigger is Better: If you are making these apples as a baby finger food then stick to large pieces. I have cut the apples into wedges but you can actually bake apple halves.
- We love a big softie: Cook the apple until it is soft, ie the flesh needs to be finger squishable.
- To Peel or Not To Peel: It is generally ok to leave the peel on large pieces of cooked apples, the peel can help your baby grip the apple, and a baby will typically suck/gum the soft apple away from the peel. If you are at all worried you can peel the apples.
Step-by-step instructions
Below are illustrated step-by-step instructions to make my Cinnamon Apples recipe, if you prefer just the written instructions then head straight to the printable recipe card below.
PREP
Core the apples and cut them to your preferred shape.
- Cubed: Perfect for serving as a topping for yogurt, pancakes or oatmeal.
- Wedges: Perfect for serving as a snack that can be held by little ones.
- Halves: Great for serving as a dessert or for little ones to hold.
Stovetop Cinnamon Apples
Step one: Heat the butter in a skillet to medium/low heat.
Step two: Add the apples, and sautรฉ until they have softened.
Step three: Add the vanilla extract and sprinkle on the cinnamon. Cook for a few more minutes, stirring to ensure the apples are all spiced.
Oven Baked Cinnamon Apples
Step one: Preheat your oven to 180 degrees Celsius, or 360 F.
Step two Melt the butter.
Step three: In a bowl large enough to hold the apple pieces, stir the melted butter, vanilla extract and cinnamon to combine. I do this with a whisk.
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Step four: Add the apples to the cinnamon butter mixture, and toss until all the apples are spiced.
Step five: Spread the apple pieces out in a single layer on a lined baking sheet. Bake in your preheated oven for 15 minutes or until the apples are tender.
Enjoy!
Tips & FAQs
Here is how you can make these cinnamon apples perfectly every time!
- Allow your cooked apples to cool then enjoy them as a snack.
- Use warm cinnamon apples as a delicious topping for pancakes, waffles or oatmeal.
- Serve warm cinnamon apples with vanilla ice cream for a lovely dessert.
- Use cooled cinnamon apples as a yummy topping for yogurt, cereal, overnight oats or bircher muesli.
- To make your cinnamon apples even more decadent as a pancake topping, add a drizzle of maple syrup.
- Store leftover cinnamon apples in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days.
- Use them as the filling for the best apple crumble, apple crisp or apple pie.
Cinnamon Apples
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Ingredients
- 3 Apples Firm and Sweet
- 1 Tablespoon Butter
- ยฝ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ยฝ teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
Prep
- Core the apples and cut to your preferred shape.Cubed: Perfect for serving as a topping for yogurt, pancakes or oatmeal.Wedges: Perfect for serving as a snack that can be held by little ones.
Stove Top Method
- Heat the butter in a skillet to medium/low heat.
- Add the apples, and sautรฉ until they have softened.
- Add the vanilla extract and sprinkle on the cinnamon. Cook for a few more minutes, stirring to ensure the apples are all spiced.
Oven Baked Method
- Preheat your oven to 180 degrees Celsius, or 360 F.
- Melt the butter.
- In a bowl large enough to hold the apple pieces, combine the melted butter, vanilla extract and cinnamon. I do this with a whisk.
- Add the apples to the cinnamon butter mixture, and toss until all the apples are spiced.
- Spread the apple pieces out in a single layer on a lined baking sheet. Bake in your preheated oven for 15 minutes or until the apples have softened,
- Enjoy
Video
Notes
- Apples: You can of course use any apples, bruises etc are fine. An apple with a firm texture is better if you are planning to use these as a finger food. I like to use: Sweet apples such as; Pink Ladies, Sweet Tango, Eve, Ambrosia, Honey Crisp and Royal Gala as these sorts of apples hold their shape. Cooking apples such as Granny Smith or Fuji dissolve into almost a puree when cooked. So they are not the best type of apple to use if you are going to serve them as a finger food.
- Butter: Coconut oil can be used as a dairy-free alternative. I, however, love the richness a little butter brings to these apples.
- Vanilla extract: The vanilla extract is not essential and can be left out, although I like the flavor it adds to the cinnamon apples.
- Cinnamon: Well they wouldn't be cinnamon apples if they were made without cinnamon!
- Store leftover cinnamon apples in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days.
- Allow your cooked apples to cool then enjoy them as a snack.
- Use warm cinnamon apples as a delicious topping for pancakes, waffles or oatmeal.
- Serve warm cinnamon apples with vanilla ice cream for a lovely dessert.
- Use cooled cinnamon apples as a yummy topping for yogurt, cereal, overnight oats or bircher muesli.
- To make your cinnamon apples even more decadent as a pancake topping, add a drizzle of maple syrup.
- Use them as the filling for the best apple crumble, apple crisp or apple pie.
BLW Tips
- Bigger is Better: If you are making these apples as a baby finger food then stick to large pieces. I have cut the apples into wedges but you can actually bake apple halves.
- We love a big softie: Cook the apple until it is soft, ie the flesh needs to be finger squishable.
- To Peel or Not To Peel: It is generally ok to leave the peel on large pieces of cooked apples, the peel can help your baby grip the apple, and a baby will typically suck/gum the soft apple away from the peel. If you are at all worried you can peel the apples.
Quick Start Guide To BLW
Baby led weaning doesnโt need to be complicated, grab my quick start guide to begin your little ones food journey.