Red Hot Cinnamon Apples – A Red Hot Apples Recipe
Red Hot Cinnamon Apples are a warm, spiced dessert featuring tender apples stewed in a sweet, fiery cinnamon syrup made with Red Hot candies. Perfect as a cozy treat or a festive holiday gift, this recipe delivers a vibrant red hue and bold cinnamon flavor that complements the natural sweetness of Jonathan apples.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Apples
- 3 pounds Jonathan apples (peeled and quartered)
Syrup
- 1 cup water
- 2 cups sugar
- 1/2 cup Red Hot candies (also known as Cinnamon Imperials)
- Red food coloring (optional, for a more vibrant red color)
Optional Toppings
- Chopped pecans
Instructions
- Prepare the cinnamon syrup: In a medium to large saucepan, combine the water, sugar, and Red Hot candies. Heat over medium heat until the mixture comes to a boil and the candies begin to melt, creating a spiced cinnamon syrup. Once boiling and the candies have melted, turn off the heat.
- Prepare the apples: While the syrup is heating, peel and quarter the Jonathan apples carefully to ensure even cooking and absorption of the cinnamon flavor.
- Cook the apples in the syrup: Add the peeled and quartered apples to the saucepan with the red cinnamon syrup. Turn the heat back to high and stir frequently. Bring the mixture to a full boil, being careful as it may almost boil over. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium to maintain a gentle boil.
- Stew until tender: Continue cooking the apples, stirring often, until they become tender and have absorbed the vibrant red color of the syrup. If using, add a few drops of red food coloring during this stage for a more vivid appearance, stirring well to mix evenly.
- Serve and garnish: Use a ladle to gently transfer the stewed apples into a serving dish. Allow them to cool slightly before serving. For added texture and flavor, sprinkle chopped pecans on top if desired.
Notes
- Red Hots are also called Cinnamon Imperials. If unavailable, look for similar cinnamon-flavored hard candies.
- Peeled apples yield a smoother texture, but you can leave the skins on if you prefer more fiber and texture.
- Adding red food coloring is optional and enhances the visual appeal of the apples.
- These cinnamon stewed apples make a wonderful homemade Christmas gift when placed in a mason jar and decorated with a red ribbon.
- For a crunchy contrast, try serving the apples topped with crushed pecans.
- Leftover Red Hot candies can be repurposed in recipes like Red Hot Fluff for added cinnamon flavor.
- Nutritional information is automatically calculated and may vary depending on ingredient brands and quantities used; it should not be relied upon for specific dietary requirements.
