Posted by Paul Woolley on 9/15/2025 to Apple Varieties

Cameo Apple: The Sweet-Tart Beauty with Lasting Crunch

Meet the Cameo apple—beautifully striped, crisp, and sweet with a tangy snap. Whether you're slicing it fresh or baking it into a golden crisp, Cameo delivers flavor and crunch that lasts. And with Honeycrisp.com, you get farm-fresh Cameo apples delivered right to your door. It's orchard-fresh convenience—From the Farm to Your Door.

A Brief History

  • Discovered in 1987 by the Caudle family in Dryden, Washington as a chance seedling.
  • Likely a natural cross between Golden Delicious and Red Delicious.
  • Once marketed as “Carousel” before becoming known as Cameo.

Flavor and Texture

  • Flavor: Naturally sweet with just enough tartness for balance. Subtle hints of citrus, honey, and pear.
  • Texture: Extra firm and crisp. Great for snacking, slicing, and baking—holds up very well over time.
  • Appearance: Red-striped skin over creamy yellow flesh. Glossy and eye-catching.

How Cameo Compares

  • Vs. Honeycrisp Apples: Cameos are a bit sweeter and denser with a more subtle tartness. They store longer without losing crunch.
  • Vs. SnapDragon® Apples:  Cameos lack the spiced tang of SnapDragon, but offer a more classic apple flavor and texture.
  • Vs. Gala Apples: Cameo is crunchier and more complex in flavor—less mild, more memorable.

Recipe Spotlight: Cameo Apple Crisp

Cameo Apple Crisp

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 6–8 servings

Ingredients:

  • 6 Cameo apples, peeled and sliced
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp nutmeg
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp flour (for the apple mixture)

For the Topping:

  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ½ tsp cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 6 tbsp cold unsalted butter, diced

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Mix sliced apples with sugars, lemon juice, spices, and flour. Pour into a greased baking dish.
  3. In a separate bowl, combine oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Cut in cold butter until crumbly.
  4. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the apples.
  5. Bake 40-45 minutes until golden and bubbly. Let cool slightly before serving.

Tip: Serve warm with vanilla ice cream for a comforting dessert!

A Little Apple Humor

Why did the Cameo apple land the lead role in dessert?
Because it always nailed its crisp performance!

From the Farm To Your Door

At Honeycrisp.com, we specialize in shipping orchard-fresh apples—including Cameo Apples, Empire Apples, GoldRush Apples, and more—straight to your home. No matter where you live, your apples are always “near me” with our convenient online ordering and speedy shipping.

Share Your Crisp Creations

Made our Cameo Apple Crisp? Took a perfect apple slice selfie? We want to see! Send your photo to [email protected] and we’ll send you a special discount code for your next order.

Feel free to link to and share this blog post with fellow apple lovers who need a sweet, tart, and crispy treat in their life!