Bramley apple recipes ideas

Bramley apples are British classics, grown here and perfect for tangy recipes. We asked BritMums influencers to share their top dishes at our #BramleyApples Twitter chat. Below are their favourite recipes for tasty breakfasts, easy lunches, savoury dinners, and delectable desserts — with ideas for everything from kugel to pizza to stews, soups and tarts.

Bramley apples are ideal for cooking – they produce a melt-in-your-mouth texture and don’t lose their distinctive tangy flavour in cooking the way other apple varieties can. Phil Vickery calls Bramley the “the King of British apples” and Delia Smith calls herself “quite definitely a Bramley lover”. With 205 years of heritage, they are definitely the cook’s choice.

 

Bramley apple breakfast ideas

Easy homemade apple sauce – I love to cook #Bramleyapples down to a sauce, add a little sugar and a cinnamon stick, says @missielizzieb. To make the applesauce: Peel, slice and core 2-3 apples and put them in a pan over low heat with a knob of butter and 50g sugar. Cover and cook for about 15 minutes until you can stir the apples into a smooth sauce then serve. Keep a pot in the fridge and add it to your porridge, give children a small pot to eat with a spoon — you can even spread it on bread for a quick snack!

Apple kugel – Kugel is a traditional Jewish side dish but is a tasty breakfast alternative, says @Melaina25. Try her Grandmother’s noodle kugel recipe! or this spiced apple kugel that uses traditional matzo.  

An apple smoothie – Bramley apples are always good for smoothies. The tartness of Bramleys cuts the sweetness of other fruit. No need to measure. ‘Just chop them up and bang them in a blender with yogurt,’ suggest @Falkirkgirl. You can also add blueberries, banana, smooth peanut butter, a dash of cinnamon, a bit of honey…or other favourite ingredients. 

Fruity pancake fillings – Apples cooked with cranberries make a delicious pancake filling, suggests @suenatal. Try this version (also good for pies). We also love it with blueberries or just with cinnamon.

Grated onto muesli and granola – @JSO600 loves grated Bramleys in homemade muesli with oats, apple juice, yogurt, sultanas and flaked almonds. What could be easier than grabbing a tart apple to liven up your muesli or granola with fresh crisp flavour? 

Inventive Bramley apple lunch recipes with cheese

Ploughmans lunch cheese with #Bramleyapples – This keeps it simple and healthy, and is a favourite of @thelifeofwife1. 

Cheese and Bramley apple sandwiches – These two tastes complement each other and add texture to your regular fromage. 

Gorgonzola & Bramley apple pizza – There are many Bramley apple fans in Japan, @applekitaro tells us. http://t.co/63zkVQx8s6 Try this recipe, which also features pecans!

Spinach, stilton and apple tarts – ‘So summery!’ says @charlotte_jones. Here’s a great step-by-step recipe.

A Wensleydale and apple pie – Yum! says @MSEDollyp.

A savoury apple soup – My Grandma makes a sensational Bramley apple, parsnip and chestnut soup as a festive treat. @HollyLeFitz4 (Check out this version of the soup on The Daily Mail site.)

Bramley apple recipes with meat

Slow cooked Bramley apples and pork – A favourite of @ThreeBoysandCat. After a bit of prep, you can just set this to cook for a bit more than two hours and end up with a delicious family meal. Try the recipe.

Zhuzh up your regular meat dishes – ‘In autumn we add to stews and mash to serve with pork chops,’ says @goriami. Never had apple mashed potatoes? Try this method. 

Apple and bacon steamed suet pudding – @Keykno likes thinly sliced apples in bacon and onion steamed suet pudding. Add apples to this steamed suet pudding recipe (aka roly poly pudding) the traditional Victorian way!

Bramleys bacon and potatoes – It’s a classic British combination says @hill_wheeler

Bacon-and-apple wrapped steak – My dad used to wrap steak in apple slices and bacon to cook, says @GetCakedGlasgow. Yummy! This is also good with pork tenderloin. 

Bramley apple cake recipes

Swedish apple cake – It’s not just about pies! Our BritMums cofounder @jhowze loves this Swedish Apple cake from her mother-in-law’s cookbook. It’s easy too!

Toffee Apple Cake – You’ll never tire of eating this, says @Maris_world. ‘It’s a firm favourite in our family.’ 

Added to Christmas cake or fruit cake – My mum always used to put chopped apples in her fruit cakes @Keykno

Choc Apple Betty – @VicWelton shares her recipe.

Easy Bramley apple dessert recipes

Easy baked apples – @chickenpie75 reveals her method: Heat oven to 180, score the apples & stuff with mix of brown sugar, cinnamon & sultanas. Bake 40mins serve with cream. 

Bramley Apple and Blackberry Pie – So juicy! @BrassoLasso

Bramley Apple Fritters with Toffee Sauce – @LilMissmeatfree  (Editor: These ones look delicious!)

St Stephens pudding – ‘I recently found this apple steamed pudding. Delicious and easy!’ says @ali991.

Apple Meringue – It’s low in fat and high in taste and so quick and easy to make! says @FabFood4All.

Bramley apple snack recipes

Apple Crisps yummy with some added Cinnamon — crispy and healthier than usual supermarket ones @Falkirkgirl

A spiced loaf of bread with Bramley apples and walnuts @ThreeBoysandCat

Bramley apples are so incredibly versatile. They’re fab grated to make a buttermilk bread. Imagine that fresh hot with butter! @TweetieKaz

Bramley apple recipes for children

Apple and cinnamon flapjacks — Fun for kids to make, yummy for them to eat. @Jazz_Shoedance. We like this version from Charlotte’s Lively Kitchen. 

Apple Snow – Something different! ‘This is fun to make and my children love it,’ says @Sue72.

Classic apple crumble – Says @thesoupdragon44 my 8-year-old son makes the best version.

Easy apple traybake – @JanBagnall’s cheap and yummy traybake is a basic sponge mix on the bottom a layer of sliced apple, topped with more sponge! 

Stewed apples and custard – Both of @mumslittlepeeps’s boys love these. Here’s an easy guide to stewing apples. 

Bramley apple and caramel pancakes – @HollyLeFitz4 says, ‘They’re the perfect indulgent treat.’

Bramley apple jams, sauces and butters

Apple sauce is not just for breakfast — ‘Bramley apples naturally make the one for Sunday roast pork,’ says @JSO600. This 15-minute apple sauce recipe enlists balsamic (or cider) vinegar for a bit of lift.

Plum and Apple Jam – This is one of my favourites: light and refreshing. ‘I have it at breakfast!’ says @FabFood4All.

Spiced apple jelly – I love using Bramley apples to make this. Great to go with pork but my family also likes it on toast. @flossiecrossie. Try this Apple and Cranberry Jelly recipe, a spicy version with ginger, or this festive version with rosemary and chili flakes. 

Blackberry and Apple Jam – ‘Simply out of this world:-)’ says @FabFood4All.

Apple chutney – Try this classic apple chutney recipe that you can adapt with your favourite ingredients. 

Apple butter made with Bramley Apples @Vikkyhope

 

More delicious apple recipes!

• Baking Round-up: Celebrating the mighty apple
• Baking Round-up: Autumn
• 20 delicious seasonal apple bakes

Get more foodie recipes, inspiration and ideas in the Food area of our BritMums Magazine section.