Cinnamon Caramelized Apples Recipe (Stovetop)
- Culinary Collaborations
- Oct 27
- 4 min read
These cinnamon-spiced caramelized apples recipe comes together quickly on the stovetop and makes a warm, fragrant topping for pancakes, oatmeal, vegan ice cream, or toast. With just a handful of ingredients, you can transform fresh apples into a cozy, naturally sweet treat that’s perfect any time of year.
Cinnamon Caramelized Apples Recipe (Stovetop)
Servings: 4 | Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients
• 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced
• 1 tbsp. (15 ml.) coconut oil or vegan butter
• 2 tbsp. (30 ml.) maple syrup
• 1/2 tsp. (1 g.) ground cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp. (0.5 g.) ground nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp. (2.5 ml.) vanilla extract
• Pinch of sea salt
• 1 tsp. (5 ml.) lemon juice (optional, to brighten the flavor)
Directions
1. Heat the coconut oil in a medium skillet over medium heat.
2. Add the diced apples and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften.
3. Stir in the maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, and sea salt.
4. Continue cooking for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring often, until the apples are tender and the sauce is glossy and thickened.
5. Stir in the lemon juice, if using, and cook for 1 more minute.
6. Remove from heat and serve warm as a topping or side.
Make It Yours
• Use a mix of apple varieties for more depth of flavor.
• Add a splash of non-dairy milk or coconut cream for a saucier finish.
• Stir in chopped walnuts or pecans for texture.
Pairs Well With
• Vegan pancakes or waffles
• Steel-cut or rolled oats
• Toast with almond butter or coconut yogurt
Batch Prep for the Week
• Double or triple the recipe and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
• Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave with a splash of non-dairy milk or water to loosen.
• Great for quick weekday breakfasts or dessert toppings with minimal effort.
Use as a Filling
• Spoon the cooled apples into vegan hand pies, turnovers, or galettes using store-bought or homemade dough.
• Layer into mini dessert jars with granola and coconut yogurt for a no-bake crumble.
• Fold into muffin batter, bread pudding, or use as a middle layer in a spiced cake.
Hand Pie Dough (Vegan & Flaky)
This simple vegan pastry dough is easy to work with and makes about 6–8 hand pies.
Ingredients
• 1 1/2 cups (180 g.) all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp. (12 g.) coconut sugar
• 1/2 tsp. (3 g.) sea salt
• 1/2 cup (110 g.) cold vegan butter, cubed
• 3–5 tbsp. (45–75 ml.) ice water
Directions
1. In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, and salt.
2. Add cold vegan butter and cut it in using a pastry cutter or fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Add ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing just until the dough holds together when pressed.
4. Form into a disk, wrap in parchment, and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.
5. Roll out to about 1/8 inch (3 mm) thick and cut into circles or rectangles for hand pies.
6. Fill with a spoonful of caramelized apples, fold, crimp edges, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden.
Transform It into a Baked Crisp
This is a great way to repurpose leftover caramelized apples or create a crowd-pleasing dessert with minimal effort.
Crisp Topping
• 1/2 cup (45 g.) rolled oats
• 1/4 cup (30 g.) almond flour
• 2 tbsp. (25 g.) coconut sugar
• 1/4 tsp. (1 g.) cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp. (0.5 g.) sea salt
• 2 tbsp. (30 g.) vegan butter or coconut oil
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Spread 2 to 3 cups (350–525 g.) of caramelized apples into a greased baking dish.
3. In a small bowl, combine all topping ingredients and mix with a fork until crumbly.
4. Sprinkle the topping over the apples.
5. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top is golden and the filling is bubbly.
6. Cool slightly before serving. Excellent with vegan vanilla ice cream.
Note
🧈 Are there vegan butter sticks?
Yes—many brands offer stick-style vegan butters that behave similarly to dairy butter in pie crusts and laminated doughs. Popular options include:
• Miyoko’s European Style Cultured Vegan Butter – Available in sticks, firm texture, great for baking
• Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Sticks – Widely available, neutral flavor, also good for baking
• Country Crock Plant Butter (Sticks) – Another mainstream option found in many grocery chains
🥄 If sticks aren’t available…
If you only have tub-style vegan butter, here are a couple of workarounds:
Option 1: Melon Baller or Teaspoon Hack
• Use a small melon baller or rounded teaspoon to scoop small firm chunks
• Freeze for 5–10 minutes to firm up before cutting in
Option 2: Spoon and Chill
• Scoop tablespoon-sized mounds onto a plate
• Chill or freeze slightly, then slice or break into small pieces before adding to flour
🥥Coconut Oil Option (Butter-Free Crust)
Coconut oil works well in pie dough, but it behaves differently from vegan butter. Here’s how to substitute:
How to Use It
• Use solid (not melted) coconut oil
• Measure 1/2 cup (105 g.) solid coconut oil in place of 1/2 cup vegan butter
• Cut it into the flour just like you would butter—use a pastry cutter, fork, or fingertips
• Chill the dough well before rolling for best texture
What Changes
• Texture: The crust will be a bit more tender and slightly less flaky than with butter
• Flavor: Slight coconut aroma (mild), which complements apple or spiced fillings nicely
• Color: May brown a bit less in the oven, but will still crisp up
Tip for Hot Kitchens
• If your coconut oil softens too quickly, chill it in the fridge or freezer for 5–10 minutes before cutting in
• You can also cube it or scoop it into small pieces ahead of time and chill them separately
Chat Soon 🍴🌿
Kate
