I made this recipe as a guest post for my friend Ron who writes Lost in a Pot in Sweden. I think a few of you might have seen it, but a repost seems like a good idea.

It is a truly simple yet elegant dessert, I believe to be based on a recipe by Julia Child. It has become a favorite in our household, especially when half the household (of two) doesn’t really enjoy desserts. Wait, what?

Yes, there are people who don’t like desserts. Some find deserts too sweet. Others would rather have desert as a meal, not following a meal. Still others grew up with desserts as a rare treat for special occasions only. Me? I like a little sweet after dinner — after all, every meal needs closure.

I use a different spicing than Julia used, not because there was anything wrong with Julia’s version, I was making this to follow an Indian meal and I felt the spices worked better. You can play with the spices to adapt to the meal it will accompany, or simply to make your palate happy.

~ David

39 Comments

  1. Ronit Penso Tasty Eats

    May 14, 2022 at 7:20 am

    I remember this recipe vividly, as I’m very much into moderately sweet fruity desserts.
    I intended to make it soon after, but somehow it slipped away. Thanks for reposting. Hopefully I’ll remember it this time! 🙂

    Reply
  2. John / Kitchen Riffs

    May 14, 2022 at 7:51 am

    Reposts of dishes as excellent as this are always a good idea. I like this recipe, a lot. Basically gussied up baked apples, but what about them apples! Really, really nice. You’re one smart apple! 🙂

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      May 15, 2022 at 11:23 am

      Don’t know about being a smart apple, but I know a good dessert when I see one!

      Reply
  3. Colette

    May 14, 2022 at 9:27 am

    Good gods! This looks so decadent !

    D, you’ve done it again. Well, bye-bye, My Waist. Heeheehee xo

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      May 15, 2022 at 11:24 am

      Your waist is perfectly in tact with this recipe, Colette!

      Reply
  4. Jane

    May 14, 2022 at 9:39 am

    David,
    Not only does the dessert look absolutely wonderful, but the antique fruit silverware never looked better!!
    Jane

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      May 15, 2022 at 11:24 am

      I thought you might appreciate the fruit set in the photos!

      Reply
  5. Sherry

    May 14, 2022 at 12:01 pm

    This looks a beautiful dish David. I’m not usually a fan of cooked fruit 🍎 except in savoury dishes but this does sound delicious. Love those spices! Kevlar glove? How fascinating.

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      May 15, 2022 at 11:25 am

      The Kevlar glove has saved my fingers on many occasions!

      Reply
  6. Pauline

    May 14, 2022 at 4:41 pm

    I’m printing this recipe off this time to remind me to make it. It looks so elegant and delicious. I adore cooked fruit desserts.

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      May 15, 2022 at 11:26 am

      I know you will like it, Pauline! And thanks for following me on Pinterest – now that I am retired, maybe I can get back to posting there!

      Reply
  7. Eha

    May 14, 2022 at 4:54 pm

    You have photographed this absolutely beautifully . . Abd I very much do remember it from Ron’s pages . . . lovely to see you repost it during the week Ron himself was again able to say hello from Sweden ! I grew up and live in a totally savoury world but hope many of your readers will enjoy it ! Knowing how popular apples ate in the Ukraine and having just spent ungodly early morning hours watching one of the final humiliations Putin could possibly have received on Eurovision – perchance I should try to celebrate 🙂 !!!

    Reply
  8. Marcelle

    May 14, 2022 at 5:00 pm

    I love that you’ve used saffron in this, it’s a gorgeous apple dessert! I can see why this is a family favorite!! Beautiful pictures, as always, David!

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      May 15, 2022 at 11:27 am

      I am a huge fan of saffron, Marcelle! Such a unique flavor it adds!

      Reply
  9. Jill Becker

    May 14, 2022 at 10:15 pm

    Of course the apple looks delicious. I have the same flat wear for six and was told is was for fish. Hmmm

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      May 15, 2022 at 11:28 am

      The friend who gifted the silverware said it was a fruit set…

      Reply
  10. Gerlinde de Broekert

    May 16, 2022 at 7:09 am

    What a great idea to repost this great looking not so sweet dessert. I remember it from Ron’s post .

    Reply
    • David Scott Allen

      May 17, 2022 at 7:24 am

      I love this dessert and am, in fact, making it again today! Thanks, Gerlinde.

      Reply
  11. Ron

    May 17, 2022 at 6:55 am

    David, thanks so much for the shout-out!
    This is a wonderfully elegant and delicious dessert. Now I must admit that I didn’t make it, but I passed it on to the dessert maker in the family and she did it justice. We had it without the ice cream and loved it…

    Reply
    • David Scott Allen

      May 17, 2022 at 7:25 am

      Well, it is wonderful that you have a “dessert maker” in the house! So glad you liked the recipe, Ron!

      Reply
  12. Chef Mimi

    May 17, 2022 at 3:44 pm

    Love this! It’s nice to have Ron back. He brings so many new and unique experiences and foods to us!

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      May 19, 2022 at 10:02 am

      I am so glad to see Ron back, too. Until we “met,” I knew very little about Sweden or Swedish cuisine.

      Reply
  13. Ben | Havocinthekitchen

    May 17, 2022 at 4:33 pm

    I love baked apples, but I normally bake them simply whole, halved, or sliced. This approach is something new to me. And oh boy – it looks stunning, such a beautiful presentation (Worth of the time!) And as a huge cardamom fan, this also sounds delightful to me. Great job!

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      May 19, 2022 at 10:03 am

      It does take a bit of time, Ben, but the butter and spices between each layer makes for an exquisite dessert!

      Reply
  14. Raymund

    May 19, 2022 at 2:23 pm

    Cant agree more, such a simple and elegant recipe. Good way to end a perfect dinner

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      May 20, 2022 at 7:05 am

      Thanks, Raymund. I just made it again the other day and it still makes me so happy.

      Reply
  15. Fran @ G'day Souffle

    May 21, 2022 at 12:31 am

    This recipe looks like a spin-off on the French recipe ‘Pommes Anna’, where you layer thin slices of potatoes brushed with butter. In my belly now!

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      May 22, 2022 at 6:42 am

      Now I have to wonder if that’s where Julia got her inspiration!

      Reply
  16. Jeff the Chef

    May 21, 2022 at 5:20 am

    How lovely and elegant. It looks very much like a Julia Child sort of thing. Have you seen the new series about her on HBO?

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      May 22, 2022 at 6:43 am

      I haven’t seen the new series, but I did see the new documentary which was fantastic! For me, it’s hard to see someone else playing Julia Child other than Meryl Streep.

      Reply
  17. Valentina

    May 25, 2022 at 12:17 pm

    I remember seeing this on Ron’s site, and wanting to jump through the screen for it. Beautiful! I love warm apple desserts like this . 😊 ~Valentina

    Reply
  18. Christina

    June 2, 2022 at 3:42 pm

    For me, a sweet lover, I have to say that it depends on the dessert. I would LOVE this apple deliciousness, but hold the ice cream 😄 Cloyingly sweet desserts don’t do it for me either! Thanks for reposting!

    Reply
  19. Inger

    June 3, 2022 at 9:22 am

    I remember you mentioning this dessert year’s ago, but I never could identify it when I went looking. Love fruit dessert and fall will be here before we know it!

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      June 4, 2022 at 8:40 am

      I really do love this dessert… a bit time consuming but so lovely.

      Reply
  20. John

    July 3, 2022 at 3:11 am

    That dinnerware is the ideal backdrop for this stunning dessert. The colour of those apples! Heightened with the cardamom, I know this is a pleasure to eat.

    Reply

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