Spiced Apple Syrup

There’s something about the flavor of baked apples that instantly feels like fall. I wanted to capture that cozy, apple-crisp flavor in a syrup you can stir into coffee, drizzle over pancakes, or mix into cocktails. The trick is starting with real apples and caramelizing them with brown sugar (and a little butter) before adding water and spices. It makes the syrup taste like apple pie filling, but smooth and pourable.

This recipe is a little thicker than a standard simple syrup, so it works beautifully as a sauce too if you add only 1/2 a cup of water!

Ingredients

• 2 medium apples (Honeycrisp or Fuji), diced

• 1 cup brown sugar (light or dark both work)

• 1 tbsp unsalted butter (optional, but adds richness)

• 1 cup water (add less to make a sauce)

• 2 tbsp maple syrup

• 2 cinnamon sticks

• ½ tsp ground cinnamon

• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg

• ¼ tsp allspice

• Pinch of salt

• 1 tsp vanilla extract (added off heat)

Instructions

1. Caramelize the apple

   • In a medium saucepan, combine the diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon sticks, and butter. Cook over medium heat for 5–7 minutes, stirring often, until the apples soften and the sugar melts and turns glossy and syrupy.

2. Build the syrup

   • Add the water and maple syrup, scraping the bottom of the pan to release any caramelized bits. Stir in the ground spices and salt.

3. Simmer

   • Lower the heat and let the mixture simmer gently for about 10 minutes, until the apples are tender and the liquid has thickened slightly.

4. Finish

   • Remove from heat, stir in the vanilla, and let steep for 5 minutes. Strain through a fine mesh sieve, pressing on the apples to extract as much flavor as possible.

5. Store

   • Pour into a jar and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks. Shake before using!

How I Use It

• Stir 1–2 tablespoons into a latte for a spiced apple latte.

• Shake it with espresso and ice for a fall-themed iced coffee.

• Drizzle over oatmeal, pancakes, or even vanilla ice cream.

Cheers :)
Noah