Delicious Braised Apples Recipe (with Baek Jong-won’s Tip!)
Delicious Braised Apples Recipe (with Baek Jong-won’s Tip!)
Easy Baek Jong-won Braised Apples and Apple Pie [+ Tip to Avoid Straining While Making Braised Apples!]
Apples are so delicious these days! My mom, who loves to buy in bulk, gave me half a box of apples. With so many apples on hand, I decided to make a dessert. So, I made the braised apples recommended by Baek Jong-won, and then used them to make apple pie with sandwich bread! I’ll also share a great tip on how to make braised apples without straining your arms.
For the Braised Apples- 1 apple (medium size)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (approx. 80g)
- 1/2 cup water (approx. 100ml)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 pinch of salt
For the Apple Pie- 4 slices of sandwich bread
- 4 tablespoons of prepared braised apples
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
- 4 slices of sandwich bread
- 4 tablespoons of prepared braised apples
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, peel one apple thoroughly. Then, finely dice the apple into small, uniform pieces. Dicing them small will make the braised apples softer and more delicious.
Step 2
Place the diced apple into a frying pan. Add 1/2 cup of granulated sugar and 1/2 cup of water. Stir everything together to combine evenly.
Step 3
Normally, when making braised apples, you’d simmer them over medium-low heat for 20-30 minutes, stirring constantly. But you don’t need to strain your arms! Here’s Baek Jong-won’s secret tip: I reduced the heat to low and covered the pan while it cooked. This saves you the effort of stirring and also reduces the cooking time. Cook for about 10 minutes with the lid on, then remove the lid to let it simmer further. Try this method to make it easily!
Step 4
Once the apples are somewhat cooked, add 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, and a pinch of salt. The cinnamon adds a wonderful aroma to the apples, and the lemon juice helps maintain their bright color and adds a refreshing tang.
Step 5
Now, turn the heat up to high. Stir quickly with a spatula to evaporate the moisture. The liquid will evaporate faster than you might expect, so it’s crucial to stir continuously and rapidly to prevent burning. Continue simmering until it reaches a thick consistency.
Step 6
Next, we’ll make the apple pie. Prepare 4 slices of sandwich bread and carefully trim off the crusts with a knife. Removing the crusts results in a softer texture.
Step 7
Use a rolling pin, a round bottle, or even a cup to flatten the bread slices. This will help create a nice shape when you fold them over the apple filling. On one half of the flattened bread, make diagonal slits with a knife, about halfway through. These slits will be used to decorate the pie later.
Step 8
Generously spoon the prepared braised apple filling onto the side of the bread without the slits. Then, brush the edges of the bread with egg wash. Brushing with egg wash helps the bread slices stick together and gives them a beautiful golden color when baked. Fold the slitted half of the bread over the filling to create the pie shape. Press down firmly with a spoon or the back of a fork to seal the edges and form the pie. Make sure to press firmly so the filling doesn’t leak out. Finally, brush the top of the pie with more egg wash.
Step 9
Place the assembled apple pies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 10 minutes, or until golden brown. If you don’t have an oven, an air fryer works well too. Oven and air fryer specifications can vary, so keep an eye on the pies and adjust the baking time as needed to achieve your desired level of doneness.
Step 10
Here we have the delicious braised apples made with seasonal fruit and the super easy apple pie made with plenty of it! Freshly baked apple pie is wonderfully crisp on the outside and filled with sweet, tender braised apples. Using homemade braised apples gives it a healthier and deeper flavor. To elevate the sweetness even further, try topping the warm apple pie with an extra spoonful of braised apples. Enjoy this delightful braised apple and apple pie made with delicious seasonal apples! You can easily create a cafe-worthy dessert right at home.
