Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Start by peeling the apples. Discard the peels, but don’t worry if you want to keep them for future recipes! They can add flavor to stocks or compost.
- If you have a juicer, cut the apples into eighths, leaving crab apples whole, and run them through the juicer to extract about one cup of apple juice. Don’t worry if you don’t have a juicer; you can still achieve a flavorful syrup.
- For the stovetop method, take your peeled apples and place them in a medium saucepan with a cup of water. Heat this mixture over medium-high until the apples soften, which should take about ten to fifteen minutes.
- Once the apples are tender, remove the saucepan from the heat. Allow it to cool for a few minutes before straining through a cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer to separate the juice from the solids. You’ll want to reserve that delicious liquid!
- In a large saucepan, combine the reserved apple juice with one cup of brown sugar and mix until fully blended. This is where the magic happens!
- Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring regularly until the brown sugar dissolves completely. You’ll notice this beautiful syrup come together as it bubbles gently.
- For a smooth syrup, pour the mixture through a wire-mesh strainer to catch any smaller pieces of apple that may have slipped through. It’s essential for achieving that silky texture.
- Once strained, let the syrup cool a little. It will thicken as it cools down, so don’t worry if it seems runny right now.
- Transfer the cooled syrup into a clean jar or bottle. Seal tightly and store it in the refrigerator, where it can last for a few weeks.
Notes
Once you've made your delicious Crab Apple Brown Sugar Syrup, here are some helpful tips to enhance your experience:
- Storage: Store leftover syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three weeks. Make sure to keep it sealed to maintain freshness.
- Freezing: You can freeze the syrup in ice cube trays for easy portioning later. Just pop out a cube and let it thaw whenever you need a burst of flavor!
- Pairing: This syrup pairs perfectly with pancakes, waffles, or even drizzled over ice cream for a sweet treat.
- Variations: Consider adding spices like cinnamon or vanilla during cooking to create different flavor profiles.
- Gifting: This syrup makes a wonderful homemade gift. Just pour it into decorative jars and add a label!