Warm Cinnamon Apple Compote

Serves 4 · 12 min prep · 15 min cook

Ingredients

• 4 medium crisp apples
• 1 cup seedless red grapes
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1.5 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 2 tbsp water
• 1/8 tsp pinch of salt
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• as needed vanilla ice cream or pound cake for serving

Instructions

1. 1Core the apples and cut them into ½-inch chunks, leaving the skin on for color and texture.
2. 2Halve the grapes and set them aside.
3. 3Melt the butter in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat until it foams and smells nutty.
4. 4Add the apple chunks, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, lemon juice, water, and salt; stir to coat every piece.
5. 5Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low and cook uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples begin to soften but still hold their shape.
6. 6Stir in the halved grapes and continue cooking 4–5 minutes more until the grapes plump and the juices thicken into a glossy syrup.
7. 7Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the vanilla; taste and adjust cinnamon if desired.
8. 8Let the compote rest 2 minutes so the flavors settle and the sauce thickens slightly.
9. 9Spoon the warm compote into small bowls or over scoops of vanilla ice cream or thick slices of pound cake.
10. 10Serve immediately while still steaming so the contrast of warm fruit and cool ice cream shines for the table.