
A historical dessert from The White House cook book; a comprehensive cyclopedia of information for the home .. (1913). The apples should be stewed quickly and only need a few minutes. The bread should be fried to a nice yellowish color and served hot.
Preserved exactly as written in the original source
0 notes
Sign in to share your thoughts and connect with the community
Sign In to CommentLoading notes...
Cut six apples into quarters, take the core out, peel and cut them in slices
Put in the saucepan an ounce of butter, then throw over the apples about two ounces of white powdered sugar and two tablespoonfuls of water
Put the saucepan on the fire, let it stew quickly, toss them up, or stir with a spoon; a few minutes will do them
When tender cut two or three slices of bread half an inch thick
Put in a frying pan two ounces of butter, put on the fire; when the butter is melted put in your bread, which fry of a nice yellowish colour
When nice and crisp take them out, place them on a dish, a little white sugar over, the apples about an inch thick
Serve hot
Modern guidance to help you succeed with this vintage recipe
Quick, high-heat cooking of the apples with sugar and minimal water creates a concentrated compote through rapid evaporation while preserving texture. The sugar draws out apple juices through osmosis, creating a syrup that caramelizes slightly for depth of flavor. Frying the bread in butter rather than toasting creates a waterproof barrier that prevents the bread from becoming soggy when topped with the warm fruit, while the Maillard reaction between milk solids in the butter and bread starches produces a golden, flavorful crust.
The apples can be prepared up to 2 hours ahead and kept at room temperature, covered loosely. Reheat gently in the saucepan over low heat, adding a teaspoon of water if needed. The bread must be fried just before serving to maintain crispness.
This dish is best served immediately and does not store well, as the fried bread will become soggy. Leftover apple compote can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days and used as a topping for oatmeal, yogurt, or ice cream.
AI-generated tips from Chef Cecil's culinary database
The apples can be prepared up to 2 hours ahead and kept at room temperature, covered loosely. Reheat gently in the saucepan over low heat, adding a teaspoon of water if needed. The bread must be fried just before serving to maintain crispness.
This dish is best served immediately and does not store well, as the fried bread will become soggy. Leftover apple compote can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days and used as a topping for oatmeal, yogurt, or ice cream.