Name: skillet cinnamon apples with orange cream sauce (dairy free, whole30, paleo)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 1 can ( oz) full-fat coconut milk; 1 teaspoon orange zest; juice from 1 orange; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 6 apples, sliced thin (use whatever apples you prefer – I used Gala apples); 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, clarified butter or ghee (I used clarified); 1.5 teaspoons cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon ginger; 1/4 teaspoon sea salt; handful of toasted pecans (optional but so good!)

Description

Buttery, cinnamon apples, perfectly browned in a cast iron skillet topped with sweet, tangy, creamy orange sauce and toasted pecans – holy YUM! This dessert is ALL whole foods – NO extra sweeteners and totally decadent!

Scale

Ingredients

For orange cream sauce

1 can ( oz) full-fat coconut milk
1 teaspoon orange zest
juice from 1 orange
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For apples

6 apples, sliced thin (use whatever apples you prefer – I used Gala apples)
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, clarified butter or ghee (I used clarified)
1.5 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
handful of toasted pecans (optional but so good!)

Instructions

Pour coconut milk into a heavy bottom sauce pan. Add orange zest, juice and salt. Bring to a boil. Turn down and simmer for approx. 15 minutes to reduce sauce. Sauce should reduce down to approx. 1 cup of liquid and should be the consistency of caramel sauce. See notes if it seems like sauce separates.
Once sauce is reduced down, take off heat and add vanilla. Add more salt if necessary. Put aside.
While sauce is reducing, make the apples. Place butter (clarified or ghee) in a cast iron pan or skillet. Once the pan is warm, add the apples, cinnamon, ginger and salt. Mix occasionally. Depending on the size of your skillet, you may need to do this in 2 batches.
Once the apples are soft, take off the heat. Drizzle orange sauce over the apples. Add toasted pecans if you like. Enjoy!
Note: you will probably have extra cream sauce, store in the fridge in a glass jar or Tupperware for up to a month. See post with suggestions on how to use the extra orange sauce!

Notes

If it seems like your orange sauce has separated, don’t worry! Add about a tablespoon of hot or boiling water and stir. Sauce should re-combine and become smooth again.
To keep this paleo or whole30 compliant, use clarified butter or ghee.

Keywords: cinnamon apples, skillet cinnamon apples, stove top cinnamon apples, sauteed cinnamon apples