Red Hot Cinnamon Apples – A Red Hot Apples Recipe

Red Hot Candies are not just for eating. Instead, add them to an old fashioned classic stewed apples to create Red Hot Cinnamon Apples. Eat these as a snack or a dessert. Either way, kids love them!

Red Hot Cinnamon Apples Recipe

I love the spiced, cinnamon flavor of these old fashioned stewed apples, and so did my daughters since they begged for more and more and more. Using a cinnamon candy like Red Hots takes the guess-work out of the recipes. All you need is Cinnamon candies, sugar, water and apples.

This cinnamon stewed apple recipe was shared by our favorite farm stand, Harker Family Farms. You know that a recipe is going to be delicious when you get it from an apple orchard! The Harker Family is full of outstanding cooks, and over the years, they’ve shared several recipes with us including Peach Batter Cake and Skillet Mac and Cheese.  

Ingredients Needed For Cinnamon Candied Apples

With just five simple ingredients you can pull these stewed apples flavored with cinnamon candies together for a delicious treat. Actually, this recipe really only has 4 required ingredients with one optional ingredient.

• Apples
• Sugar
• Water
• Red Hots (also known as Cinnamon Imperials)
• Red Food Coloring (optional)

Kitchen Utensils Needed for Cinnamon Stewed Apples

No special equipment is needed to make these red hot cinnamon apples. We bet you have all the equipment you need already in your kitchen cabinets and drawers.

• Medium to Large Saucepan
• Vegetable Peeler
• Paring Knife
• Cutting Board
• Large Spoon (nylon, silicone or wooden)
• Ladle

Check out our Amazon Store for our favorite kitchen and pantry essentials!

How to Make Red Hot Cinnamon Apples

Step by Step Instructions

1. In a medium to large saucepan, heat water, sugar and Red Hot Candies until the mixture begins to boil and the candies begin melt; turn off heat.
2. Peel and quarter apples.
3. Add apples slices to the cinnamon mixture and turn heat to high, stirring often.
4. Bring to a rapid boil, reduce heat and continue to cook and stir until apples are tender and red in color.
5. Red food coloring can be added if a deeper red color is desired.
6. Let cool. If desired, top with chopped pecans. Or, serve hot with vanilla ice cream.

Storage Instructions

Let apples cool completely. Store in an airtight container or mason jar in the fridge.

For the full recipe and ingredient list for red hot stewed apples, scroll to the bottom of this post. 

Recipe FAQs

• Red Hots are also called Cinnamon Imperials. If you can’t find one, look for the other.
• Our recipe calls to peel the apples first, but you could omit this step and leave the skins on.
• If you want your cinnamon candied apples to have a vibrant red color, add red food coloring while they are stewing on the stove. This is completely optional.
• For a beautiful, homemade Christmas gift, put the cinnamon stewed apples in a mason jar and tie on a red bow or ribbon.
• Store your stewed cinnamon apples in the refrigerator.
• Try serving crushed pecans sprinkled over top!
• Have leftover Red Hots? Try Red Hot Fluff.

How do you quarter apples?

There’s two simple ways to do this.

• Option one: cut the apple in half, cutting through the core.  Then cut each half in half again.  Cut out the core individually of each quarter.
• Option two: Cut around the core of the apple in four separate pieces.  When you’re done, the core should be intact in one piece that can be tossed.

What’s the best type of apples to use for stewing?

Jonathon apples or Granny Smith apples work well since they hold their shape when cooking. If these apples aren’t available, it’s fine to use whatever type of apple you can find.

What can I substitute for Red Hots in a recipe?

If you can’t find Red Hot candies, look for Cinnamon Imperials instead. Cinnamon Imperials are another name for Red Hots.

Where can you buy Red Hots?

Check the candy section of any grocery store or Dollar store.  Another place that almost always carries Cinnamon Imperials is an old fashioned Amish or Bulk Grocery store.

Mason Jar Christmas Food Gift Ideas

The beautiful Christmas-red color of these hot stewed apples make it the perfect gift.  Pour the cooled apples into the mason jar, seal tightly, label, and add a bow or ribbon.

For some more Christmas gift ideas in mason jars, try our Homemade Hot Fudge Sauce, Friendship Tea, and Homemade Martini Olives – three of our most popular recipes at These Old Cook Books.

Old Fashioned Apple Recipes

Grandma’s Apple Crisp

Apple Nut Crunch

Caramel Apple Cake

Grandma’s Sour Cream Apple Squares

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