If you are craving a truly delightful and cozy dessert, this Cinnamon Apple Crepes Recipe will absolutely steal your heart. Imagine thin, delicate crepes wrapped around warm, tender apples cooked in a luscious cinnamon-spiced syrup. Each bite offers a perfect balance of sweet and tart with a hint of spice that complements the soft crepes flawlessly. Whether for a special brunch or a comforting dinner finale, these crepes elevate simple ingredients into a show-stopping dish that’s as impressive as it is comforting.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this recipe plays a crucial role in creating the perfect Cinnamon Apple Crepes Recipe. From the light and airy crepes to the warmly spiced apple filling, each component brings a unique flavor or texture to the table that you don’t want to miss.
- Crepe batter: The foundation of this dish, providing a thin, tender shell for the warm apple filling.
- Granny Smith apples (2 pounds): Tart and firm, these apples hold their shape beautifully while cooking and balance sweetness wonderfully.
- Fresh lemon juice (2 teaspoons): Adds brightness and prevents the apples from browning too quickly.
- Unsalted butter (3 tablespoons): Creates that rich, caramelized base for cooking the apples.
- Light brown sugar (1/4 cup): Offers a deeper, molasses-like sweetness that enhances the caramelization process.
- Ground cinnamon (1 teaspoon): The star spice that pairs perfectly with apples and adds warmth.
- Fresh ground cinnamon (1/2 teaspoon): Intensifies the cinnamon flavor and aroma.
- Ground allspice (1/2 teaspoon): Adds a subtle complexity with hints of clove, nutmeg, and cinnamon.
- Kosher salt (1/4 teaspoon): Balances the sweetness and heightens all the flavors.
How to Make Cinnamon Apple Crepes Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Crepes
Begin with your go-to dessert crepe recipe for light, thin crepes. Cook them gently on a non-stick pan until just set and golden, then stack and either refrigerate or keep at room temperature while you prepare the filling.
Step 2: Mix Your Spices
In a small bowl, combine ground cinnamon, fresh-ground cinnamon, allspice, and kosher salt. This warm spice blend will elevate the apples into something truly special, infusing every bite with cozy notes.
Step 3: Prep the Apples
Peel and chop the apples into roughly 1-inch cubes for the ideal balance of tender and slightly firm. Toss them with fresh lemon juice to brighten up the flavor and keep the pieces looking fresh.
Step 4: Cook the Apples
Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Once bubbling, stir in the brown sugar until it dissolves into a syrupy mixture. Layer the apples evenly in the pan and raise the heat to medium-high. At first, the apples release liquid—don’t worry, this will cook down beautifully.
Step 5: Add Spices and Caramelize
Sprinkle your spice mixture over the apples and carefully stir to coat. Continue cooking undisturbed most of the time to let the apples caramelize and thicken into a rich syrup. The result is a luscious filling that’s perfectly soft with a slight bite.
Step 6: Remove and Save the Syrup
Once the syrup is thick and glossy, transfer the apples to a wide bowl and scrape any remaining caramelized bits from the pan. This syrup carries the essence of the dish’s sweet warmth and should not be wasted!
How to Serve Cinnamon Apple Crepes Recipe
Garnishes
Top your crepes with a dollop of sweetened whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a heavenly contrast of cool creaminess against the warm filling. A light dusting of powdered sugar adds a pretty, delicate touch that makes the dish feel extra festive.
Side Dishes
Serve alongside crisp bacon or sausage for a savory-sweet brunch treat. For a lighter option, pair with a fresh green salad dressed with a fruity vinaigrette to keep things balanced and refreshing.
Creative Ways to Present
Get playful! You can roll your crepes into cylinders filled with apple mixture, fold them in half like pockets, or fold into quarters and heap the filling on top. This recipe is wonderfully versatile and perfect for impressing guests or treating yourself.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover crepes should be stacked, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or placed in an airtight container, and stored in the fridge for up to 2 to 3 days. The apple filling keeps well in a separate container for up to one week, allowing you to enjoy this cinnamon-spiced goodness throughout the week.
Freezing
Both the crepes and apple filling freeze beautifully. Arrange crepes between sheets of parchment, seal tightly in freezer bags, and freeze for up to 1 month. Freeze the apple filling in a separate airtight container. When ready to eat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
Reheating
Reheat crepes gently in a warm skillet or microwave until just heated through so they don’t dry out. Warm the apple filling separately in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally, to bring back its luscious syrupy texture without scorching.
FAQs
Can I use other types of apples?
Definitely! Granny Smith apples are preferred for their tartness and firm texture, but you can also try Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Braeburn. Just make sure they’re firm enough to hold their shape during cooking.
Is it okay to make the crepes and apple filling ahead of time?
Yes! Both components can be prepared in advance. Store them separately in the refrigerator, and assemble right before serving for the freshest experience.
Can I make this recipe vegan?
Absolutely. Use a vegan crepe recipe and substitute butter with coconut oil or a vegan alternative. Brown sugar and spices are naturally vegan, so the apple filling will come together just as beautifully.
What’s the best way to reheat the crepes without drying them out?
Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat or wrap them in foil and warm in the oven. Microwaving quickly works too, but keep an eye on them to avoid drying out.
Can I add nuts or other toppings?
Of course! Toasted pecans or walnuts add gorgeous crunch and flavor. You can also drizzle caramel sauce or honey for an extra indulgent touch.
Final Thoughts
This Cinnamon Apple Crepes Recipe is a true crowd-pleaser that combines simple, wholesome ingredients into an irresistible treat. It’s perfect for cozy family breakfasts or impressive dessert moments. I’m so excited for you to try it and enjoy the comforting aroma of cinnamon, the sweetness of apples, and the delicate crepes all coming together on your plate. Once you do, it might just become your new favorite indulgence too!
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Cinnamon Apple Crepes Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Cinnamon Apple Crepes feature thin, tender crepes filled with a spiced, caramelized apple mixture. Using a combination of Granny Smith apples and warming spices like cinnamon and allspice, the apples are sautéed in butter and brown sugar to create a sweet, syrupy filling. The crepes can be rolled or folded with the apple filling and served with whipped cream or ice cream for a delicious, comforting dessert perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Crepes
- 1 batch Crepes Recipe (use your preferred Dessert Crepes recipe)
Apple Filling
- 2 pounds (908 grams) Granny Smith apples (or your favorite baking apple)
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons (42 grams) unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup (50 grams) light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Prepare the crepes: Make the crepe batter according to your preferred dessert crepes recipe and cook the crepes. If making ahead, stack and store them in a freezer bag in the refrigerator; otherwise, keep them stacked at room temperature until serving.
- Mix spices: In a small bowl, combine the ground cinnamon, freshly ground cinnamon, ground allspice, and kosher salt. Stir well to blend the spices evenly.
- Prepare the apples: Peel the apples and chop them into 1-inch cubes. Place the apples in a bowl and toss with the fresh lemon juice to prevent browning and add brightness.
- Cook the spiced apples: Melt the butter in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Once it begins to bubble, add the light brown sugar and stir until the mixture is well combined and just starts to bubble.
- Add apples and spices: Spread the apple cubes in a single layer in the skillet. Increase the heat to medium-high and cook until about half the liquid evaporates. Add the pre-mixed spices and stir to coat the apples.
- Caramelize the apples: Continue cooking the apples, occasionally stirring to prevent burning but mainly allowing the apples to caramelize undisturbed. Cook until most of the liquid evaporates and a thick syrup remains, while the apples remain slightly firm.
- Finish apple filling: Remove the skillet from heat. Spoon the apples and syrup into a wide bowl, scraping the pan to incorporate all the flavorful syrup.
- Assemble crepes: There are several assembly options: spoon apple filling on the lower half of a crepe and roll into a cylinder, topping with sweetened whipped cream; place the filling in the center and fold the crepe in half, topped with whipped cream or ice cream; or fold crepes into quarters, spoon apple filling on top, add whipped cream, and sprinkle with powdered sugar.
- Store leftovers: Keep leftover crepes refrigerated for 2 to 3 days and apple filling refrigerated for up to one week. Both can be frozen and thawed in the refrigerator before serving.
Notes
- Granny Smith apples are preferred for their tartness and firmness but you can use any baking apple.
- The spice blend can be adjusted to taste—add more cinnamon or allspice depending on preference.
- To keep crepes fresh when made in advance, stack and store in a freezer bag in the fridge to prevent drying out.
- Apple filling should be stirred occasionally during cooking to avoid burning and ensure even caramelization.
- Serve crepes warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for best flavor.