Slow Cooker Cracker Barrel Fried Apples (Print version)

Tender cinnamon-spiced apple wedges slow-cooked in a buttery brown sugar sauce, this Cracker Barrel copycat is six ingredients and almost zero effort.

# Ingredients:

For the apples

01 - 6 medium apples (about 3 lbs / 1.4 kg), preferably Granny Smith or Fuji

02 - 1/3 cup (70 g) packed light brown sugar

03 - 1 tablespoon cornstarch

04 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

05 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

06 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

To finish

07 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

08 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

# Instructions:

01 - Peel, core, and cut the apples into wedges about 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick. Keep them uniform in size so they cook evenly.

02 - In a small bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until fully combined.

03 - Add the apple wedges to the slow cooker insert. Sprinkle the sugar mixture over the top and toss to coat as evenly as possible. Scatter the butter pieces over the surface.

04 - Cover and cook on LOW for 3 to 4 hours, stirring once gently at the halfway point. The apples are done when fork-tender and the sauce is thick and glossy.

05 - Stir in the vanilla extract. Taste and adjust sweetness if needed. Serve warm straight from the slow cooker.

# Good to know:

01 - Best served warm. The sauce thickens as it cools and loosens again with a splash of water when reheated.

02 - For a thicker sauce, stir in a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon cold water) during the last 20 minutes of cooking.

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