I mentioned Tuesday that my neighbor had given me a ton of apples and they were on the verge of going bad so I wanted to make something that would use them all up so I didn’t miss out on the apple goodness. I just went to cracker barrel over the weekend and their apples are one of my favorite things, so I thought that would be the perfect way to use these up and make a version of them at home. I think I liked this at home version even better than cracker barrel’s version, if that’s possible! They were sweet but not overly so and had a great level of flavor. These would be great for dessert with ice cream or as a side dish with most any kind of chicken entree, bbq, or burgers.
Copycat Cracker Barrel Fried Apples
Source: slightly adapted from Food.com
Ingredients:
2 tbsp. unsalted butter
4 large apples, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch wedges
2 cups apple juice plus 1/2 cup, divided
1 tsp. apple pie spice
3 tbsp. cornstarch*
4 tbsp. sugar
small pinch salt
Directions:
In a large skillet, add the butter and melt over medium heat. Once melted, add the apples, 2 cups of apple juice and apple pie spice. Stir to combine and make sure apples are mostly covered with the liquid.
Bring apples to simmer and cook until they are fork tender, approximately 15 to 20 minutes.
Once apples are tender, remove from the skillet with a slotted spoon and place them in your serving dish, leaving the liquid mixture in the skillet.
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the remaining 1/2 cup apple juice, corn starch, sugar and pinch salt until combined.
Add this mixture to the warm juice mixture in the skillet. Stir to combine and place over medium heat . Heat until mixture is bubbly and has thickened.
Pour thickened mixture over top of the apples and gently stir to incorporate. Serve hot.
Notes:
*I realized in the middle of making these that I was out of cornstarch, so I googled a substitute and use double the amount (6 tbsp.) all purpose flour instead and it worked perfectly.
Welcome! I'm Stephanie, a thirty something girl loving life with my husband Adam and our two little miracles living in gorgeous Southeast Tennessee. I'm passionate about Jesus, traveling, sports (Go Titans!), and of course food! Read more about me 
love these apples from cracker barrel too. yum! love the remake.
aren’t they the best! Thanks Sarah!
Hi Stephanie! What a great way to use up apples! I remember going to cracker Barrel as a child…these apples would be a great way to evoke those times with my adopted grandmas. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks Monet! Hope you enjoy these and that they take you back to your childhood! 🙂
What the what?! We don’t have a cracker barrel around these parts (wahhh) but if it serves magical things like this, I MUST find one! Or just make these.. I’m pretty sure my life is now complete.
Yes you definitely need to find a cracker barrel! Good southern food and they have great breakfast too! Thanks!
What a great idea! These look delicious!
Thanks so much Lindsay!
So I’ve never been to a cracker barrel, but i’ve always been a little obsessed with them. i think it’s the name–crackers? and barrels? sounds like a magical and slightly confusing southern phenomenon. i am also a little obsessed and slightly confused about the apples–they’re not fried, right? or am i bad a reading comprehension? they sound delicious, though! Do you eat them plain or over ice cream or cake?
[sorry for all the dumb cracker barrel newbie questions]
It is a magical southern phenomenon! 😉 Their food is wonderful and they have a gift shop where you can find all sorts of crazy goodies. The apples are technically not fried, just pan “fried” in the butter I guess. Cracker Barrel calls them fried apples so I followed suit. 🙂 We ate them plain as a side dish but they would be equally as good over ice cream or cake!! 🙂
Hey, stephanie-
I loved the idea of using your fried apples in making some muffins. i am going to post the recipe on monday 10/7/13, and i am linking back to you. If you want to mention anything about it on your posts, that would be fine. thanks for posting a fabulous idea for me! Deb @ kneaded creations
What a fabulous idea!! They look delicious! Thanks so much Deb!!