Someone recently asked “what’s your favorite dessert?” The answer was (inevitably) it depends. Are we talking blow the doors off occasion? Answer: Grand Marnier Soufflé. Are we talking for my birthday? Answer: this weird Cheeseburger Cake from our local grocery store that is the silliest cake for a day all about fun. Are we talking the dessert I want the most and find to be the most elegant way to end a meal shared with good company? Answer: poached apples, custard (or cream), and some sort of cookie.

This is that (styled for cookbook posterity) and will be in my upcoming cookbook Pulp: a practical guide to cooking with fruit

2 cups sweet apple cider

1/4 cup honey

1 cinnamon stick

2 whole star anise

6 black peppercorns

4 apples, peeled and cut into quarters with seeds removed

• In a medium sauce pan, combine the cider, honey, cinnamon, star anise, and peppercorns

• Bring to a simmer over medium heat

• Slip the apples into the poaching liquid and cook until tender, but not collapsing, about 8 minutes

• Remove from the heat and let the apples cool in the cooking liquid

• To serve divvy the apples between serving dishes and add 1/4 cup of the cooking liquid and pour the heavy cream over the top

• Serve with a sidecar of cookies of your choosing (I like something nutty or oaty)

  Thanks for reading Abra’s Newsletter! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

  Subscribe

  Share Abra’s Substack