German Apricot Compote (Aprikosenkompott)

By
Jennifer McGavin
Jennifer McGavin
Jennifer McGavin learned to cook German food while living in Germany for 11 years and has worked in the food industry for many years.
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Updated on 09/29/20
Apricot compote

Riou / Getty Images

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 10 mins
Total: 20 mins
Servings: 4 servings

When apricots are in season in Germany (usually the beginning of June to the beginning of August), you will find apricot compote (Aprikosenkompott) in almost every home on the weekend, ready for guests.

Traditional Germans often make compotes in the summer, to take advantage of a large amount of fresh fruit available. A compote is just another name for stewed fresh or dried fruit that has been slowly cooked, usually in a sugar syrup, which may or may not contain liquor, liqueur or wine, and spices, if desired. Compote is eaten for breakfast, dessert, snacks and as a side dish during dinner.

Make apricot compote throughout the summer, as you find ripe apricots in the stores, and serve it with yogurt for breakfast, as a quick dessert with whipped cream or over ice cream. Use it to make a sauce for venison or pork. You can sweeten it as much or as little as you want and flavor it with cinnamon and clove or a piece of vanilla bean for warm and sweet aromas.

Ingredients

  • 1 to 2 pounds apricots (fresh, washed, and halved, pits removed)
  • Optional: Sugar or sweetener to taste (sugar, apple juice, agave nectar, Stevia)
  • Optional: 1 stick of cinnamon
  • Optional: 4 to 5 whole cloves
  • Optional: 1/2 whole vanilla bean (don't scrape out the seeds)

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Place 1 to 2 pounds apricots in a medium saucepan, add 1/4 cup of water, and about 1/4 cup of sweetener to start and the spices of choice. Bring to a soft boil, reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for 5 to 10 minutes.

  3. Use hot or cold.

  4. Enjoy.

Recipe Variations

  • It is very popular in Germany over plain yogurt or quark for breakfast or with whipped cream for dessert.
  • Stir it into homemade vanilla ice cream or make a shake or smoothie with it.
  • Use some after you remove the meat from the pan to make a quick sauce. Add some compote to the pan, sprinkle a little dried thyme, salt, and pepper and stir. Reduce liquids, then pour in a capful of brandy to taste.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
109 Calories
2g Fat
26g Carbs
3g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 109
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 2g 2%
Saturated Fat 0g 2%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 24mg 1%
Total Carbohydrate 26g 9%
Dietary Fiber 7g 26%
Protein 3g
Calcium 93mg 7%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)