Ingredients
For the Apples
- 6 medium baking apples (Honeycrisp, Gala, Fuji, or Granny Smith)
- ½ cup (100g) light brown sugar
- ½ cup (45g) old-fashioned rolled oats
- ⅓ cup (40g) chopped pecans or walnuts
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup (180ml) apple cider or water
Optional Toppings
- Vanilla ice cream
- Whipped cream
- Caramel sauce
- Chopped toasted pecans
- Extra cinnamon
Equipment
- Baking dish
- Apple corer or small knife
- Mixing bowl
- Spoon
- Aluminum foil (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Apples
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Wash the apples and carefully remove the cores, leaving the bottoms intact to create a cavity for the filling. If needed, trim a thin slice from the bottom of each apple so they stand upright.
Step 2: Make the Filling
In a medium bowl, combine the brown sugar, rolled oats, chopped pecans, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, salt, and vanilla extract. Mix until evenly combined.
Step 3: Fill the Apples
Place the apples upright in a baking dish.
Spoon the filling into each apple, packing it gently. Top each with a small piece of butter.
Pour the apple cider or water into the bottom of the baking dish.
Step 4: Bake
Cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
Remove the foil and continue baking for 10–20 minutes, or until the apples are tender when pierced with a knife but still hold their shape.
Baste the apples once or twice with the juices from the baking dish during the final baking time.
Step 5: Serve
Carefully transfer the warm baked apples to serving plates.
Spoon some of the pan juices over the top and garnish with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, caramel sauce, or toasted nuts if desired.
Tips for Success
- Choose firm apples that hold their shape during baking.
- Avoid overbaking to prevent the apples from collapsing.
- Add raisins or dried cranberries to the filling for extra sweetness.
- Use apple cider instead of water for a richer flavor.
- Toast the nuts before adding them to the filling for added crunch.
Serving Suggestions
Baked Apples are delicious served with:
- Vanilla ice cream
- Fresh whipped cream
- Salted caramel sauce
- Greek yogurt
- Hot coffee
- Chai tea
- Hot apple cider
Storage
Store leftover baked apples in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave for 1–2 minutes or warm in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10–15 minutes. They can also be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Nutrition (Per Serving, Approximate)
- Calories: 245
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Protein: 2g
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Fiber: 5g
- Sugar: 29g
- Sodium: 70mg
