Spiced Apple Rings
Spiced Apple Rings are a delightful homemade treat that captures the essence of fall with the warm flavors of apple pie spice, whole cloves, and a touch of vanilla extract. These sweet and spiced apple rings are not only delicious but also make for a beautiful addition to your pantry or a thoughtful homemade gift.
To ensure the apple rings maintain their vibrant color and texture, they are first blanched in the sugar syrup and then simmered until they reach the desired hue. The addition of red food coloring can be used to enhance their bright red appearance.
Enjoy Spiced Apple Rings as a sweet and spiced snack, a topping for desserts, or as a side to accompany a variety of dishes. Canning them allows you to preserve the flavors of autumn all year round.
Ingredients
- 3 pounds Bright Red Apples
- 4 cups Water
- 2 1/4 cups Sugar
- 1 tablespoon M-K Pure Vanilla Extract
- 2 teaspoons M-K Apple Pie Spice
- 1/2 teaspoon M-K Whole Cloves
- Red Food Coloring for desired color
Directions
- Start by washing the bright red apples in cold water. Core them and slice them into 1/4-inch rings.
- To prevent discoloration, you can drop the apple rings into salt-vinegar water or ascorbic acid water.
- In a large saucepan, combine the sugar and water. Bring this mixture to a boil and let it boil for 5 minutes.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and add the drained apple rings to the syrup. Allow them to stand in the syrup for 10 minutes; this will help firm up the apples.
- After the 10-minute rest, return the saucepan to the heat and bring it to a rolling boil. Then, reduce the heat to simmer and continue cooking for about 30 minutes or until the apples reach the desired color.
- Let the apple rings cool in the syrup.
- Pack the cooled apple rings loosely into hot canning jars, leaving about 1/2 inch of headspace at the top.
- Cover the apple rings with the boiling syrup, remove any air bubbles, and adjust the lids.
- This recipe typically yields about 5 half-pint jars of Spiced Apple Rings.
