Description
Baked apples are a warm and comforting dessert made by stuffing firm apples with a sweet, spiced filling of brown sugar, nuts, and butter, then baking until tender. A simple and cozy treat that’s naturally gluten-free and easy to customize.
Ingredients
- 4 firm apples (such as Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Fuji)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)
- 2 tbsp raisins or dried cranberries (optional)
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, cut into 4 small pieces
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup water or apple cider
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Wash and core the apples, leaving the bottom intact to form a cavity.
- In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, chopped nuts, and dried fruit (if using).
- Stuff each apple with the prepared filling and top each with a small piece of butter.
- Place the apples upright in a baking dish. Pour water or apple cider into the bottom of the dish.
- Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for an additional 15–20 minutes, or until the apples are tender.
- Let the apples cool slightly before serving. Optionally top with ice cream, whipped cream, or caramel sauce.
Notes
Use firm apple varieties to prevent collapsing during baking.Add oats to the filling for a crumble-style texture.Use dairy-free butter or coconut oil for a vegan version.Add a splash of bourbon or rum to the filling for a spiked variation.Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat gently before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 baked apple
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 20mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
