The 4PM Ritual: French Apple Compote

Le rituel de 16h : la compote de pomme

Recette en français ici

In France, apple compote is a childhood classic that never really leaves us, even as adults.

As a kid, I remember going to school every day with my Pom’Pote—a little soft pouch filled with applesauce, so easy to carry around. Even today, the children of my dear friend Stéphanie head off to school each morning with a Pom’Pote in hand. Proof that it truly spans generations.

But in recent years, I’ve swapped my longtime companion, the pouch, for homemade compote. And, of course, the result is in a different league entirely.

Here, I’m sharing my recipe for apple compote with a soft, velvety texture. Lusciously smooth and almost fluffy, it needs neither too much sugar nor too much water.

Apple Compote

Compote de pomme

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Ingredients

For about 700 g of compote:

• 5 apples (my favorites: Canada Grise or Story)

• 1 packet of vanilla sugar (7,5 g)

• 50 ml of water

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Instructions

1. Peel your apples, cut them into quarters, and remove the core.

2. Toss them into a saucepan, sprinkle a packet of vanilla sugar on top, then add 50 ml of water.

3. Let everything cook for about 20 minutes over low heat.

4. When the apples are nice and soft, transfer them to a blender, but leave behind the water at the bottom of the pan. If you add that water, you’ll end up with a more liquid texture—and what we’re after here is creaminess.

5. Blend everything for about 2 minutes, then pour the compote into a glass jar. It can be enjoyed warm, at room temperature, or cold. Personally, I find it even better chilled, straight from the fridge.

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Kitchen Secrets

To switch things up, you can sprinkle a bit of cinnamon on top.

Dipping a cigarette russe or a langue de chat in it takes me right back to childhood—and it’s such a treat!

It keeps well in the fridge for over a week.

You can enjoy it as an afternoon snack, but also in the evening after dinner. It’s a light dessert that perfectly satisfies that sweet craving after a good meal.

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