Crock It! Cinnamon Apples and Pears

I bought a bunch of Granny Smith apples a few weeks ago, and I was disappointed. I suppose I really shouldn’t have been, it’s not apple season. However, this doesn’t mean that apples can’t be used for cooking; in fact this seemed like a good idea. So, as I continue on my quest for slow cooker desserts, I’ll add this recipe to my list of “things acceptable for guests.”

Cinnamon Apples and Pears

Ingredients:

• 3  cooking apples, cored and sliced (1 1/2 pounds)
• 3  ripe pears, cored and sliced (1 1/2 pounds)
• 1  tablespoon  lemon juice
• 1/4  cup  butter or margarine, melted
• 1/2  cup  firmly packed dark brown sugar
• 2  (3-inch) sticks cinnamon
• 1/4  cup  raisins
• 1/2  cup  chopped pecans
• 1/2  cup  maple syrup

What’s Next:

Core and slice apples and pears; place in a 5-quart slow cooker. Sprinkle with lemon juice, tossing to coat well.

Combine butter, maple syrup and brown sugar; spoon over fruit. Add cinnamon sticks, raisins, and pecans; stir gently.

Cook, covered, on LOW 3-4  hours.

Remove cinnamon sticks before serving.

Notes from my experience:

This was a very easy recipe and I bet that you could add peaches, but I’d do that only for the last hour of cooking.

I did not use the raisins or nuts: I don’t like nuts in my desserts.

I had it over vanilla ice cream–great for summer!

Want to know more about my Crock It! Series? You can read all about it here.