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3 Comments What could be better than the smell of freshly baked apples combined with cinnamon, cardamom, and star anise? For me, it is the ultimate fall smell! Once apple season hits I do tend to overdo it when I see a lot of delicious apples at the market, so I have way too many. A great way to preserve fresh apples is to make it into a fruit compote. It’s delicious when served with sweet dishes like french toast but it also works really well with savory dishes. Apples and pork chops are just made for each other.
Easy apple compote
Making your own apple compote is one of the easiest things to do. I don’t enjoy the peeling as much, but that’s part of the job. To make this compote you will need about 6 apples, or a little over a kilo (2.2 pounds). That’s the weight without cleaning.
When I was a kid, we had an abundance of apples every fall. My dad worked at Philips and you could buy apples from the Philips apple orchards there every fall. Don’t ask me how it worked, because I never really wondered. Those apples were just there and they went into the barn, so we had apples all fall and winter. So apple sauce, apple compote, apple pie….it was on the table at home quite often! So this recipe is a bit nostalgic, as it brings back so much memories.
What do I need to make apple compote?
In addition to the apples, you will need a few spices to make this spicy apple compote. They are:
- Cinnamon – I use ground cinnamon here, but you can also use a cinnamon stick for a more subtle flavor.
- Cardamom – I use the seeds from the pods.
- Star Anise – Do not substitute ground anise!
- Light Brown Caster Sugar – You can use regular sugar or dark brown caster sugar. I like the light brown one here. Also gives extra flavor compared to granulated sugar.
- Orange Juice – This is optional, but adds a delicious flavor to your apple compote.
Apple compote can of course be eaten with a meal, but you can do so much more with it. You can use it as a base for baking. For example, add it to an apple cake, or use the compote to make air fryer apple turnovers, or make waffles and serve them with the apple compote.
To make the apple compote
Once you’ve gathered all the ingredients (and there aren’t that many), you’re ready to go. Use a fairly large pan because all the apples will eventually shrink, but they still need to go in first. Mix in the spices and stir in the sugar and orange juice.
Use a tea infuser
By the way, it is handy to put all your spices – in this case star anise – in a tea infuser in your apple compote. This will save you having to search for the brown bits later. If you use white sugar, the apple stays light, but if you use brown sugar like I did, it’s really hard to find!
How long should I cook my compote?
How long you need to cook the compote depends a bit on the apples you are using. My apples didn’t really fall apart, so after 45 minutes I just gently mashed them with the potato masher and that was it. They were soft enough though.
The liquid will also gradually reduce a bit, but it also thickens as it cools. If you cook it longer, the end result will also be browner. It also depends if you want apple chunks or if you want it rather smooth.
Tips for making a delicious apple compote recipe
If you do not put the apple compote in sterilized jars and seal them, you can keep apple compote in the refrigerator for two weeks. Use an airtight container if you do. It is better to put the hot compote in sterilized jars. This way you can keep it for up to three months.
Yes, you can freeze apple compote and use it for up to a year.
You can basically use a variety of apples to make compote. Or you can choose a mix of apples. Back in the day when I still lived at home you had to make apple compote and apple sauce with either granny smith apples or golden delicious apples. But with all the new varieties out there there is much more choice. I like using a mix of pink lady apples and fuji apples but the best apples are the ones you like best.
Use it with your yogurt for breakfast, spoon it over pancakes, ice cream, or homemade waffles. It is also delicious as a filling for apple turnovers or in baked goods. It’s really the perfect topping for a lot of delicious dishes.
Well, it has apples in it. That’s healthy. But it also has a lot of sugar in it, and that’s not healthy. You don’t usually use very large quantities of it at one time. So it’s okay!
Homemade apple compote recipe
Ingredients
- 1000 g apples
- 2 pieces star anise
- 2 cardamom pods seeds only
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 200 g light brown caster sugar
- 250 ml fresh orange juice
How to make the apple compote
- Peel all the apples, remove the cores and cut into pieces. Don't make the pieces too big, as it will just take longer to cook until tender.
- Place all the apple pieces in a large saucepan. Add a little water and orange juice, sugar, star anise, cinnamon and cardamom.
- When it comes to a boil, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 30-45 minutes. Check periodically to see if the apples are done. The longer you let it cook, the darker your apple compote will get.
Notes
- Storage:
- Refrigerator: Up to 2 weeks in an airtight container.
- Sterilized jars: Up to 3 months when sealed while hot.
- Freezing: Yes, keeps up to 1 year.
- Best Apples: Use a mix! Pink Lady & Fuji work well, but choose your favorites.
- Uses: Perfect with yogurt, pancakes, ice cream, waffles, apple turnovers, or baked goods.
- Is it healthy? Apples = healthy 🍏, sugar = not so much. Enjoy in moderation!
Nutrition Information per portion:
Disclaimer:
The nutritional values above are calculated per portion. The details are based on standard nutritional tables and do not constitute a professional nutritional advice.
I totally love apple compote and can’t get enough of it. I eat it straight from the jar, over my morning breakfast or as a side dish
Store bought applesauce just doesn’t hold a candle to homemade. I just love homemade applesauce and stewed apples.
It’s the smell of the perfect autumn for me!