Introduction
Baked apples are a classic dessert that is easy to make and full of flavor. They are a great way to enjoy the natural sweetness of apples without added sugar. Baked apples are a healthy and delicious treat that can be enjoyed as a snack or dessert. They are also a great way to use up any extra apples you may have on hand. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a delicious and nutritious treat that is sure to please. Jessica Gavin shares her tips and tricks for making the perfect baked apples.
Baked Apples – Jessica Gavin
Baked apples are a classic fall dessert that are easy to make and full of flavor. Jessica Gavin’s recipe is a delicious way to enjoy this classic treat. The apples are filled with a mixture of brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter, then baked until tender and golden. Serve with a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a truly decadent dessert.
Ingredients
- 4 large apples, cored and cut into wedges
- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9-inch baking dish with butter.
- In a medium bowl, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter. Stir until combined.
- Place the apple wedges in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the brown sugar mixture over the apples and top with the walnuts, if using.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the apples are tender and golden brown.
- Serve warm with a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
This baked apple recipe is a stunning dessert loaded with fall flavors that everyone will love! Perfect for serving with ice cream and crunchy pecans.
Table of Contents
When autumn hits, it’s time to bake! My family enjoys it when I make a warm apple crisp or homemade apple pie from scratch. However, there’s an even faster and simpler way to enjoy this seasonal fruit. Fill it with a crunchy granola mixture, then bake until tender.
The process is straightforward! Remove the core and seeds, stuff them with a hearty oat mixture, then bake. In just an hour, you’ll have a warm apple dessert to enjoy. Serve à la mode with ice cream, drizzle on caramel sauce, and sprinkle on chopped pecans for a festive fall treat.
Make the filling
Make granola filling to create a hearty, sweet filling that gives a texture contrast to the soft apples. Similar to my apple crisp, I use rolled oats. They hold their flaky shape to give a nice chew. You could also use instant oats, but they will be softer in texture. Combine with softened butter and dark brown sugar for a caramel-like flavor.
You can switch the sweetener with honey, maple syrup, or coconut sugar. Almond and walnuts are delicious nutty substitutes. Swap cranberries for raisins, golden raisins, dried figs, dates, or cherries. It’s very customizable! The recipe makes about 1 cup, 1/4 cup of filling per apple.
Apple selection
The best baking apples are Honeycrisp or Fuji if you like a balanced sweetness and acidity. Use Granny Smith apples if you prefer a more tart flavor to complement the sweet filling. They hold their structure, but the flesh softens when cooked.
Other types of apples like Pink Lady, Gala, Braeburn, or Golden Delicious are other good options. Avoid red delicious apples because they become mealy when baked. Select large apples about 7 to 8 ounces in size, and about 3 to 3 3/4 inches wide from the top.
Prepare the apples
Remove the stem, core, and seeds to fill the apples’ center. A large melon baller works well to scoop out those parts. A small measuring spoon or paring knife could also hollow out the center. Make sure you don’t scoop through to the bottom of the apple blossom. I make a 1 1/2-inch hole on top of the apple and go down about 3/4 of the way so that 1/4 cup of filling can fit.
When baked, the apple skin can burst due to the steam building up in the flesh. To prevent this, peel off just the top 1/2-inch of skin around the edge of the opening to allow for steam to escape. To reduce apple browning of the exposed flesh, brush with water, apple juice, or lemon juice.
Prepare the baking dish
Place the apples in an 8-inch square baking dish. You could also use a pie dish or cast iron skillet. Fill it with apple juice, apple cider, or water at the bottom of the pan. The small amount of moisture prevents burning and keeps the skin dewy, so they don’t dry up and burst. If it concentrates enough, it makes a light syrup pour on top.
Bake the apples
Bake at 375ºF (191ºC) until tender enough when pierced with a paring knife. The baking time will depend on how large the apples are and how soft you like the texture. For about 7 1/2 ounce apples, after 40 minutes, they will soften on the edges and be slightly crisp but warm near the center.
The flesh registered to about 160 to 165ºF (74ºC). Around 183°F (84°C), the pectin in the cell walls of the apples begins to break down, creating a mushy apple. Stop baking before this point. I recommend stopping around 170ºF (77ºC) if you want the apple soft but still sliceable. Use a knife to test, and insert an instant-read thermometer to check the flesh. The surface of the granola filling should be dry and crisp.
Serve this with
FAQ
Apple crumble filling creates a crunchy pebble texture on top of the added flour. Add all nuts and not oats for a grain-free filling. Diced apples can be mixed into the filling for an apple pie taste.
For baked apples, peel a small area near the opening where you will add the filling to create a vent in the flesh for steam to escape and prevent bursting. You can peel the entire apple before filling and baking—brush water on the surface to reduce browning and bake a few minutes less.
The apples taste the best when they are served fresh from the oven. However, the filling can be made 2 days in advance and refrigerated. It’s best to core the apples the same day to prevent browning on the exposed flesh. Baked apples can be made 3 days in advance and reheated in the oven or microwave until warm.
Yes! You can cut the apples in half to create two equal pieces, then remove the core to make space for the filling. Add about 2 tablespoons to the center. Then bake until the apples are tender and the granola is crisp. Check after 20 minutes since the apple is in smaller pieces.
How to prevent apples from bursting
Apples are composed of over 86% moisture. During baking, the juices inside start to bubble and steam. If the apple becomes too soft and mushy, the cell walls won’t hold its structure and the juice will break through the flesh. Apples like Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Granny Smith hold their structure well. Plus, creating a vent on top by peeling away some of the skin also helps to prevent bursting.
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- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- ¼ cup dark brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt or sea salt
- 2 tablespoons chopped pecans, optional
- 2 tablespoon dried cranberries or raisins, chopped, optional
- 4 large apples, Honey crisp, Granny Smith, or Fuji, 7 to 8 ounces each
- ¾ cup apple juice, apple cider, or water
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Preheat the Oven – Set the oven rack to the middle position. Heat oven to 375ºF (191ºC).
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Make the Filling – In a medium bowl, combine softened butter, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, pecans, and cranberries.
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Core the Apples – Rinse and dry the apples. If the apples are not standing upright, thinly slice the bottom blossom end until it sits flat. Starting at the stem, use a large melon baller, a small measuring spoon, or a paring knife to remove the core and seeds to create a hollow center that fits 1/4 cup of filling. Do not cut through the bottom of the apple. Make the opening on the top about 1 to 1 ½-inch wide. Leave about a 1/2-inch perimeter on the top.
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Create a Vent – Use a paring knife or peeler to remove about 1/2-inch of the skin from the top of the apple around the edges of the opening to prevent bursting. Brush the top of the flesh with apple juice or water to reduce browning.
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Fill Each Apple – Add the filling mixture to each cored apple, about 3 to 4 tablespoons, lightly packing. It should fill to the top.
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Prepare Baking Dish – Add the filled apples to an 8-inch square or round baking dish, or cast iron skillet. Heat the apple juice in 10-second intervals in the microwave until warm, about 100ºF (38ºC). Pour the warm juice around the apples. If using a larger pan, add enough juice to cover 1/4-inch of the bottom.
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Bake the Apples – Bake until the apples pierce easily with a paring knife, about 40 to 50 minutes. The internal Itempearutre should reach between 165 to 170ºF (74 to 77ºC), for a soft and sliceable texture. If desired, baste the apples with the juice on the bottom of the pan.
- Filling Yield: About 1 cup, or a 1/4 cup per apple.
- If omitting the nuts or dried fruit, replace them with more oats.
- Apple Size: Large apples are about 3 to 3 3/4 inches and about 7 to 8 ounces in weight. Adjust baking time for small and medium apples.
- Storing: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Place one apple at a time on a microwave-safe dish. Reheat in 15-second intervals until warm. Alternatively, reheat in the oven at 350ºF (177ºC) until warm, about 10 to 15 minutes.
- Make it Gluten-Free: Make sure to purchase gluten-free rolled oats.
- Make it Vegan: Use coconut oil or margarine instead of butter.
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Nutrition Facts
Baked Apples
Amount Per Serving
Calories 345
Calories from Fat 144
% Daily Value*
Fat 16g25%
Saturated Fat 8g40%
Trans Fat 0.5g
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g
Monounsaturated Fat 5g
Cholesterol 30mg10%
Sodium 154mg6%
Potassium 280mg8%
Carbohydrates 53g18%
Fiber 7g28%
Sugar 38g42%
Protein 2g4%
Vitamin A 453IU9%
Vitamin C 8mg10%
Calcium 40mg4%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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