Description
Baked Apples are a comforting fall dessert that brings out the natural sweetness of apples, enhanced with cinnamon, sugar, and butter. A simple yet delightful treat, perfect for cozy evenings and holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
- 4 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Gala work well)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
- 1/4 cup chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, or almonds, optional)
- 1/4 cup raisins or dried cranberries (optional)
Instructions
Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
- Core the apples: Core the apples, creating a well in the center, but be careful not to cut through the bottom of the apples.
- Make the filling: In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg (if using), and lemon juice.
- Stuff the apples: Stuff the cored apples with the sugar and spice mixture, making sure to pack the filling tightly inside. You can also add raisins or chopped nuts if desired.
- Prepare the baking dish: Place the apples in the prepared baking dish. Top each apple with a small piece of butter.
- Add water: Pour about 1/4 cup of water into the bottom of the baking dish to help the apples steam as they bake.
- Bake: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the apples are tender when pierced with a fork. Remove the foil during the last 10 minutes of baking to allow the apples to brown slightly.
- Cool: Once the apples are tender and caramelized, remove them from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- For a caramelized topping, drizzle with caramel sauce after baking.
- Try adding an oat topping made of oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter for extra texture.
- For a vegan version, substitute butter with dairy-free butter or coconut oil.
- You can use pears or peaches instead of apples for a different twist.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 baked apple
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 20mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
