Description
Delightfully warm and aromatic, these Baked Apples are a comforting dessert perfect for cooler days. Stuffed with a crunchy mixture of nuts, dried fruits, granola, and warming spices, these tender apples offer a satisfying blend of sweet and spicy flavors enhanced by a buttery finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Apples
- 4–6 large or medium apples
Stuffing
- 1/3 cup chopped nuts (pecans or almonds)
- 1/3 cup dried fruit (blueberries or cranberries)
- 1/3 cup granola
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp allspice
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
Additional
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter (melted, plus slices for topping)
- About 3/4 cup water (for baking dish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) and allow it to reach the temperature for consistent baking.
- Prepare Apples: Wash and dry each apple thoroughly, then core them carefully, ensuring you do not cut through the base to keep the filling contained.
- Make Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the chopped nuts, dried fruit, granola, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg. Mix until evenly blended to form your stuffing mixture.
- Stuff Apples: Generously fill each cored apple with the prepared mixture, packing it tightly but keeping it level with the apple’s opening.
- Arrange for Baking: Place the stuffed apples upright in a baking dish and pour about 3/4 cup of water into the dish to create steam, which helps keep the apples moist during baking.
- Add Butter Topping: Place a slice of unsalted butter on top of each filled apple for richness and flavor as it bakes.
- Bake: Bake the apples in the preheated oven for 45 to 60 minutes, until they are tender but still hold their shape without becoming mushy.
- Serve: Remove from oven and serve warm. Enjoy them as is or top with yogurt or your favorite sauce for an extra creamy finish.
Notes
- Choose firm apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji for the best baking results.
- Coring apples without piercing the bottom helps hold the filling inside during baking.
- Adjust nut and fruit types to your preference or dietary needs.
- For a vegan option, substitute butter with a plant-based alternative.
- Baking time may vary depending on apple size; test softness with a fork without making them too mushy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: baked apples, stuffed apples, autumn dessert, healthy dessert, fruit dessert, cinnamon apples
