Scalloped Apple Casserole!

 

If you like cooked apples, like my recipe for  Fried Apples  or  Miss Annabelle's Baked Apples, this "Scalloped Apple Casserole" is a must try!!!  It's a little different way to cook apples, but it's delicious!  My husband, who can be a picky eater, loved this casserole!  He definitely gave it two thumbs up! 

I cooked this for Thanksgiving and it was so good with our turkey and dressing.  It would be great with ham also! 

This can be prepped ahead of time also and then baked, which is always nice for the holidays. 

Here is what you will need:

7 -8 apples, cored, peeled and diced 

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 cup butter, divided

1/4 cup flour

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided

1 sleeve of Ritz crackers, crushed 

Preheat oven to 350.

Place the peeled, cored and diced apples in a 2 quart casserole that has been sprayed with nonstick spray.

Sprinkle with white sugar, brown sugar and 1 tsp. cinnamon.  Add 1 tsp vanilla.  Slice 1/2 of the butter in pats and place over the apples.  Sprinkle the flour over all.  Sprinkle with 1 cup of the cheese.  With a large spoon toss to mix all of the ingredients.  

Top with the other cup of shredded cheese!

Top the cheese evenly with the crushed Ritz crackers and slice the rest of the butter in thin pats and place on top. Place in a 350 degree oven and bake for 40 - 45 minutes!  

It should be slightly browned on top and hot and bubbly.  If it starts to get too brown on top, you can lay a piece of foil on top the casserole dish to keep it from getting too brown.  

This is one of our new favorites and it's a perfect holiday recipe, but we will enjoy it year round I am sure!!!   It's so yummy I made it twice in one week!!! 

Mama's Spiced Apples!

This recipe can be served as a light dessert or as a side to meat dishes.  They are really good with pork such as,  ham or pork loin.  Even though they look elegant, these apples are really easy to prepare.  Your guests will be wowed by the presentation!

 Here is what you need:

6 large, firm apples
2 cups water
2 cups sugar
6 thin lemon slices
1 Tbs. grated orange zest
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
3 whole cloves
2 tsp. cornstarch
1/4 cup cold water
red food coloring
12 maraschino cherries

Peel and halve apples.  Remove the stem ends.  Carefully remove the core using a melon ball scoop.  The halves need to be left intact in one piece. 

Combine sugar and water in  a large skillet.  Bring to a boil.  Add the lemon slices, cloves,  orange zest,  and cinnamon.  Add the apples.   Simmer over medium heat until the apples are tender but still firm, about 15 minutes.  Turn the apples over once during cooking.

Remove apples and lemon slices to a serving dish.

Bring the syrup in the skillet to a rolling boil.  Boil until it forms a thin syrup (4-5 minutes).  Stir the cornstarch into the 1/4 cup cold water.  Stir into the syrup mixture and cook for about 2-3  minutes or until thickened.   Add  a few drops of red food coloring.

 Allow to cool just slightly and pour over the apples.   Garnish each apple half with a maraschino cherry in the middle.

This is a perfect side dish with the Kentucky Bourbon Brown Sugar Ham or Bacon Wrapped Maple Glazed Pork Loin or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream as an elegant dessert!





Fried Apples...Cracker Barrel Style!

I have seen a lot of copycat recipes for the fried apples they have at Cracker Barrel, but my mother's recipe to me is the closest it comes to those apples.  I actually think hers are even better though.  They are also not hard to make at all. 

Wash about 6 or 7 apples that are good for cooking.  These are Gala's.  Don't peel them, just core and dice them in a fairly large dice.   Place a 1/2 stick of butter in a skillet that can be covered.  Put your heat on medium.  Place apples in the skillet and pour 1/2 cup sugar over all.  Cover with lid and cook just until the apples are soft.  Probably about 15 minutes.  Stir them around to mix the sugar and butter throughout.

Mix 1/2 cup apple juice with 1 tsp. of cornstarch. Add 1 tsp. cinnamon and 1 tsp. vanilla. Stir well together and pour over the apples to thicken. Don't cover after you add the thickener and let them just simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes just until they thicken. Don't over cook or cover or they will mush up and you will have applesauce.   That's all there is to it! 

Ingredients:

6 or 7 apples

1/2 stick butter

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup apple juice

1 tsp. corn starch

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. vanilla