I'd say I'm more of a vegetable than fruit girl. And since I have to pretty much force myself to eat fruit, I often end up with a lot of distressed fruit in my house. Next to bananas (that is another story entirely), among the distressed are most commonly apples. Therefore, I'm always looking for yummy things to do with overripe apples. If you're the same, then this Apple Cinnamon Topping recipe is for you!
It is unbelievably delicious and I have made it Weight Watchers friendly and cut the points to 4 WW points on my plan. It makes a great apple dessert or topping for pancakes, waffles and much more. It's very popular during apple season, but great any time of the year!
Jump to:
There are some things you can only get in the States and IHOP food used to be one of them. We always used to hit an IHOP on our summer vacations and that's where I fell in love with this apple topping. Sadly, although we now have IHOP in Canada, the Canadian IHOP doesn't have any apple topping on their menu.
This recipe was inspired by the Cinnamon Apple Topping for Pancakes that I had at IHOP in the United States years ago. But I wanted to reduce the calorie count and make a Weight Watchers friendlier version. And this topping is amazing with my Weight Watchers friendly IHOP copycat Harvest Grain & Nut Pancakes! That's how I originally tried it and it's a match made in heaven.... So if you're looking for pancake toppings, and want to make boring old pancakes into apple cinnamon pancakes, you'll love this recipe!
This is also a great apple topping for:
- French toast
- waffles (shown below)
- cheesecake
- nice cream
- Greek yogurt
- oatmeal
- frozen yogurt (shown below)
- vanilla ice cream
🥘 Ingredients
But I need to be clear about something....this isn't some boring old apple compote, which is, in essence, just chunky apple sauce anyway. This apple cinnamon sauce has much more depth of flavor; it's rich and buttery with maple undertones. For this recipe you'll need:
- large apples (you can use Granny Smith apples or any type of apple!)
- unsweetened apple sauce
- light brown sugar
- maple syrup (low sugar)
- cinnamon
- butter extract
- maple extract
- unsalted butter
- lemon juice
🍎What to do with overripe apples
Apples don't seem to last very long and I'm always trying to find things to do with them (along my other distressed fruit) so that they don't go to waste. I love this recipe because it's healthy, quick and easy to make. It's a good thing that's the case because it only lasts about an hour in my house! Here are some other ways to used overripe apples:
- Sugar-free Pure Fruit Popsicles
- Healthy Apple Crisp in a Mug
- Weight Watchers Apple Crisp
- Apple Pie Cookies
- Caramel Apple Betty Dessert Shooters
🍽Equipment
You will need a small saucepan for this recipe, as well as a cutting board, a good slicing and paring knife. I would also highly recommend an apple corer and slicer (affiliate link).
👪 Serving Size
This easy recipe makes 9 servings. However, you can half, double or triple the recipe by clicking on the blue serving number and selecting the number of servings you'd like. The ingredient quantities will automatically adjust. You'll just need a larger saucepan if you double or triple the recipe.
💭 Storing
You can store this apple cinnamon topping in a airtight container for up to 3 days and it can be reheated just prior to serving (in microwave or saucepan on stovetop). It can also be frozen in a sealed container for up to 3 months.
I'm urging you, before it's too late, save your distressed apples and make this amazing Weight Watchers Apple Cinnamon Topping!
⭐ Reviews
Did you make this cinnamon apples recipe? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!
Please SUBSCRIBE (get my FREE E-cookbook) and be sure to FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST!
📋 Apple Cinnamon Topping Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 apples peeled, cored and diced
- 4 tablespoon unsweetened apple sauce
- 2 tablespoon brown sugar
- 5 tbsp sugar free or low sugar maple syrup * I use low sugar (E.D. Smith)
- 2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon butter extract
- ½ tsp maple extract
- 1 tsp lemon juice, from concentrate
- 2 teaspoon unsalted butter
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a medium saucepan.
- Stir over medium-high heat for about 10 minutes, then turn heat down to medium- low until apples are very tender.
- Serve apple topping over warm pancakes, waffles, yogurt, ice cream or frozen yogurt.
Jenn
Great idea for pancake topping! I like. Some syrup but it’s nice to have fine thing different!
Terri Gilson
Thanks, Jenn!
Jackie
Hi I want to can this recipe? Can I?
Jackie
Terri Gilson
I don't see why you couldn't. I have never done it, but when I research canning apple pie filling (this is just a lighter version of that) you are able to can apple pie filling, as long as you follow proper sterilization and techniques. Enjoy!
Terri
Jackie
Thank you!
Terri Gilson
No problem - enjoy! I'd love to know how it turned out - I'd like to try it myself eventually 🙂
Lin
The low sugar syrup has sucralose in it 🙁
Terri Gilson
Hi Lin,
There are some brands that use natural sweeteners like Xylitol - it is a natural sugar alcohol found in plants, including many fruits and vegetable. Nature's Hollow is one brand.
Loreto and Nicoletta Nardelli
Ah ah, I love the apple begging to be saved! This is a great recipe and one that we will surely find a good use for 🙂 . Loving the flavors, not boring at all!
Terri Gilson
Thanks Loreto!
diversivore
It's funny - I love fruits and vegetables, but I definitely prefer to transform most of them into something rather than eating them as-is, apples included. I kind of push myself to eat them on my own, but I just love to chow down on something that's been transformed into a recipe. Of course that means that I have a bad habit of letting things get a bit too old in the crisper too. I love the idea of this simple, versatile, easy to go to recipe. Also, I straight-up had no idea that there was low-sugar maple syrup. How about that. Cheers!
Terri Gilson
Thanks, Sean! Yes, my fave low sugar maple syrup is E.D. Smith!
Colleen
We love fresh apples at our house, so they don't ever get a chance to get old, but this delicious topping looks like a great reason to save some to make this recipe. The maple along with the cinnamon sounds so good, and I love that it's not too sugary.
Terri Gilson
I'm so impressed that you're that much of an apple eater, Colleen! I hope you do end up with some distressed ones, so you'll at least get a chance to try this! 🙂
Denise@urbnspice
We are apple crazy around our place (we are surrounded by farmer's markets and orchards), so apples do not get a chance to become distressed - my problem is we buy too many - I can't help myself! So, I have to create ways to use some of them. :). I love the idea of your Cinnamon Apple Topping - it looks so comforting and delicious, especially on those waffles! Thanks so much for coming up with a way to make the topping even more appealing with the WW friendly re-engineering Cheers!.
Terri Gilson
Now you don't have to feel guilty about buying too many, Denise!
Leanne | Crumb Top Baking
I want to make a batch of pancakes or waffles right now just so I can try this apple cinnamon topping! Love that it's on the healthier side, and who doesn't love apple cinnamon as a breakfast or dessert topping!?
Terri Gilson
Haha... thanks Leanne! I hope you enjoy it - it really is awesome on all those things, but especially Chapman's vanilla frozen yogurt!