Baked Apples Recipe
Baked Apples are infused with cinnamon and butter from the inside out, topped with whipped cream and drizzled with caramel sauce. You will love how amazing your house smells as baked apples sizzle in the oven.
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Have you tried baked apples? They taste like the filling for apple pie (you know; the part of the pie we all wish there was more of!). Wait until you see inside -YOU’LL JUST KNOW!!!
Baked Apple Recipe
Invite your friends for breakfast or brunch and serve these (totally easy by the way) baked apples. These stuffed baked apples are also a gluten free dessert. Feast your eyes on these roasted apples my friends…
The Best Apples for Baked Apples:
You will need 6 medium baking apples. The best apples for baking should be firm, crisp and tart. Great apple options for this recipe include: Rome Beauty, McIntosh, Jonagold (pictured above), Fuji, Granny Smith, Golden Delicious and even Braeburn works fine.
How to Serve Baked Apples:
We top these with unsweetened whipped cream or vanilla ice cream and drizzle generously with homemade Caramel Sauce (click for easy recipe).
How to Make Baked Apples:
The process for making roasted apples couldn’t be easier:
- Combine the filling
- Core and Stuff Apples with filling
- Place apples into a casserole dish, add water and bake
How to Core an Apple:
To core an apple, cut out the center using a melon baller or small paring knife, leaving the base intact to keep the filling in – don’t cut all the way through or the filling will leak out!
Place the apples into a casserole dish that is large enough to hold the apples without crowding them. We used this 9×12 Casserole.
How Long to Bake Apples in the Oven?
Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until apples are soft (but not mushy). Baking time can vary by the type and size of apples you are using. My Jonagold apples (pictured here) were perfect after 45 minutes but I’ve had larger Braeburn apples take 1 hour.
They are a treat served plain but are over the top delicious topped with unsweetened whipped cream, or vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce. I top with whipped cream while they are still just slightly warm and some of it melts onto the apples and WOWEE they are irresistibly delicious!!
More Apple Recipes:
- Apple Cake Sharlotka – a classic apple recipe!)
- Cinnamon Apple Pie (how many apples can you fit into 1 pie?)
- Broccoli and Apple Salad – perfectly crisp with creamy dressing
- Winter Fruit Salad – almost too pretty to eat!
Baked Apples Recipe
Ingredients
For the Baked Apples:
- 6 medium baking apples *
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp grated nutmeg
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries (craisins or raisins)
- 3 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup walnuts finely chopped, optional
- 1 cup hot water
To serve (Optional):
- Unsweetened whipped cream or vanilla ice cream
- Caramel Sauce
Instructions
How to Make Stuffed Baked Apples:
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Preheat oven to 375˚F. In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon and 1/8 tsp nutmeg and stir with a fork. Stir in 1/3 cup dried cranberries and set aside.
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Wash and core the apples using a melon baller, or small paring knife, leaving base intact to keep the filling in - don't cut all the way through! Place apples in casserole dish just big enough to hold apples without touching.
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Divide the filling evenly between apples. Top each stuffed apple with 1/2 Tbsp butter, top with walnuts if using and sprinkle with any remaining cinnamon mixture.
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Pour 1 cup hot water into the casserole dish and bake at 375˚F for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until apples are soft (but not mushy). Baking time can vary by the type and size of apples you are using. My Jonagold apples (pictured here) were perfect after 45 minutes but I've had larger Braeburn apples take 1 hour.
Recipe Notes
*Apples should be firm, crisp and tart. Great apple options for this recipe include: Rome Beauty, McIntosh, Jonagold, Fuji, Granny Smith, Golden Delicious or even Braeburn.
If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen
Leftover Stuffed Apples? No problem! They are just as good if not better the following day. If refrigerated, heat for 30-45 seconds in the microwave until warm and enjoy with breakfast in the morning. My baby girl and I enjoyed a sliced baked apple over oatmeal this morning – absolutely amazing!!
Natasha Kravchuk
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Hi! I'm Natasha Kravchuk. Here you'll find delicious, trusted recipes with easy step-by-step photos and videos. 
Thank you so much for this recipe! I think in order to make it less sugary, (LOVE that it’s gluten-free) I will use either maple syrup or dates to make it just as sweet. I will also experiment with different types of apples. Thank you so much for sharing your God-given talent with us!
You’re welcome! Thank you for that awesome and thoughtful review!
This baked apple recipe was great, but it was a bit too sweet for my tastes. Next time I will try it with half the amount of coconut sugar.
Hi Jessica, you can use less sugar but it also makes a big difference what type of apples you are using. I like using a crisp apple that is a little tart – they seem to taste best when they are baked.
They’re the best. Love them.❤🍎
I’m so happy you enjoyed that Rebecca!
Hi – this looks amazing! I was wondering if you have tried it in a slow cooker? I was thinking I would just line the apples tight in the bottom and make it 3-4 apples deep. You could have ice cream or whip cream to top it with? Any suggestions on how to make this work? Or do you think they would fall apart? It would be a great desert for large family gatherings.
Hi Jamie! I haven’t tried that and can’t really say without experimenting! They may get soggy if stacked since there will be a lot of moisture leaking down and between the apples. the may flatten under the weight over the apples above it as well. I would love to know how it turns out if you do experiment however!
Hi Natasha! I can’t find any other place to ask you a question so I will just ask you here (although this recipe looks absolutely scrumptious and I will be making this very soon) but off the subject I need a new set of knives and I was wondering if you had any recommendations. Thanks so much!
Hi Tammy! That is not a problem! You can follow this link HERE for some of our favorite kitchen items!
Natasha, you got me at this one!
Thank you!! They are so good!
Delicious! I added some walnuts to the filling and served with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. The perfect fall treat!
You’re welcome! I’m glad you love it!
HI Natasha. I was planning to make these apples tomorrow and have a question. If I don’t have a nutmeg, can I substitute it? And instead of whipping cream can I use vanilla ice cream on top?
Thank you for your wonderful work and beautiful pictures! Amazing recipes!
Hi Nata, you can omit the nutmeg and it would still turn out great and ice cream = YES! I think ice cream is just as good as whipped cream 🙂
Can almonds be substituted for the walnuts in the baked almonds? (Allergies to walnuts and pecans to be considered)
Hi, yes you can definitely sub with your favorite nuts. You can also leave the nuts out completely and it would still be tasty.
These apples were delicious! I want to add a warning to those who doesn’t know, like I didn’t. If you are baking in a glass baking pan, DO NOT add water after it has been baking for a bit. I made that mistake. There was only a little bit water left because it evaporated, so some of the apples by the corner of the pan were not sitting in water any more, and I thought I should add a bit more water. HUGE Mistake! My glass baking pan blew up in my oven in to little pieces making a pretty big mess! I thought it would be OK since there was already water in the pan, but I guess the water temperature difference was too high. Soooo, make sure you have enough water in the pan when you put it in the first time. Don’t say no one warned you! LOL.
Hi Larissa, Oh no!! My sister had a similar experience with a different recipe. Did you use a larger pan that you needed more water?
These baked apples are my husbands favorite! Thank you for the recipe!
You are very welcome 😁. They are a great addition to any dessert table.
How long could the apples stand prepared (i.e. cored and stuffed with filling sans butter) before baking? We’re headed up to a cabin with friends and our family is first in line to make dinner. I was hoping to be able to prep the apples as much as possible, but wonder if they could be stuffed around 4-5 hours before baking. Probably not?
Hi Marta, I always make and bake them right away because of the color change that can occur but if you cover and keep the apples chilled after assembling, I think it will work out ok. Sounds like a fun trip and what a cozy treat on a cabin trip!
Omg mmmmm wow Natasha these look really way good and yummmm love baked apples have not had 1 in ages this totally screams fall and winter job well done sweetheart
They really are a treat in Fall and Winter! Thanks Tzivia 🙂
Np my pleasure girl cannot wait and especially with butter mmmmm
Just made this and its soooo delicious!!!! Reminds me of fall and thanksgiving. Yum!
Yana, thank you for such a nice review, I’m glad you liked them 😁.
I made these last night and we devoured them! The recipe yielded a bunch of carmel so these apples were SMOTHERED in it!😋😍
I’m wondering how this would taste if I used this apple recipe and wrap it in a buttery crust…? 🤔
Thank you for yet another delicious and simple recipe.
I’m so happy you liked the recipe! 🙂 Your idea of wrapping the apples in crust sounds delicious. Let me know if you try it!! 🙂
I made this for my birthday which was on the 14th of october and i loved this! It really is delish.
That’s awesome and happy birthday!!!
Ah those apples are the perfect fall dessert!!! Love it! It just sounds like a comfort dessert in a chilly cozy night! I will have to make this one night next week! Thank you for another great dish, Natasha! 😉
Absolutely! Warm baked apples on chilly evening sounds completely perfect! 🙂
Made these baked apples today, and they were delicious! However, I thought they were just a little too sweet. My sister and I debated on adding some apple crisp type filling to the inside, and maybe a little less sugar… I don’t know, I’ll have to try it! But either way, they were a hit and everyone love them! Thanks for the recipe!
Hi Maria, you can use less sugar but it also makes a big difference what type of apples you are using. I like using a crisp apple that is a little tart – they seem to taste best when they are baked.
Natasha, as always simple and delish! Thank you for your ideas and recipes.
Thank you Delia for your sweet comment 🙂
Hubby LOVES apple pie but is gluten free; these were a great alternative! Why hadn’t I thought of this before?? I made them with some apples, I think honey crisps, that our siblings brought us from Idaho a couple weeks ago. They were DELISH! Need to grab some vanilla ice cream (@ sam’s ;D) on the way home to kick them up a notch. Thanks for the great recipe! Keep the GF recipes coming!
I’m so happy you discovered this gluten free treat and enjoyed it!! Yes do try it with vanilla ice cream or the whipped cream with caramel sauce. It really takes these over the top!! 🙂
Gorgeous photos! Can’t wait to try!
Thank you Sara! 🙂
These are so simple and look SO delicious! Baked apples just scream fall!
Thank you Karly, we devoured all of them in one evening 😋. I can’t wait to make them again.
These look incredible!! Apples, yes, but not health food (because I want DESSERT)
Oh goodness I feel like this one is the best of both worlds! You can totally satisfy the dessert craving by adding whipped cream and caramel sauce or serve them as is for a lighter treat. They are so good!!
hi natasha, what happened to the canning recipes you said you were going to post this year? i was so looking forward to those =).
Hi Lily, it didn’t work out. We canned the peaches too late (and although they turned out really good), we had to give them a chance to sit before opening them and by then it was just too late, so it’ll be next year. Also, we didn’t have a ton of cucumbers this year and I was hoping to get another pickle recipe in. It just didn’t work out… Oh well. 🙂
=( ohhh ok, i understand but the cucumber recipes i will be looking forward too so yeahh hopefully next year then =).
These look awesome and we cannot wait to use up our fall apples!! Thanks!
Thank you Katie! 🙂
I’m with that girl 👆🏻Snapchat made me come here too. But I will definitely be making these apples. I love baked apples. My mom made them for us all the time when I was younger.
Oh how awesome!!! Isn’t it great how food can bring back memories? I just love that!!
Guilty here too! Saw the snap and HAD to see what goodness you prepared! It sure looks scrumptious! Gotta have it… Now, to find someone to make this for me 🤔 Lol!
Ha ha!! Yes! Another one!!!! lol. I hope you find a willing cook quick! 😉
These look so delicious, my mom use to make stuffed Apples with farmers cheese, cinnamon and sugar, they were so yummy.. Gotta give these a try…
Oh wow I hadn’t considered adding farmers cheese! Sounds awesome!!
I will be making theses for sure they look Devine !!!
Thanks Laurie! 🙂 I hope you love them 🙂
Wow these apples look AMAZING!! I will give them a try this weekend! perfect for this weather 😉
We had our first frost of the season last night and although I’ve made this twice in the last week, I’m planning the next batch already. I agree, they are so perfect for the weather! 🙂
Oh my!!! The pictures are mouthwatering!! 😋😋😋 I was thinking of baking an apple pie but didn’t want to mess with the whole dough thing..will make these for brunch tomorrow!!
Oh girl and these are sooo much easier than baking a pie. They come together so quickly! 🙂 Thank you for that awesome compliment 🙂
Made these for brunch this morning. I can’t find words to describe how yummy they were. 😋😋 and they’re so easy to make. Thank you for your amazing recipes!
I’m so happy to hear that!!! Thank you Inna 🙂 🙂 🙂
I’m not a big fan of baked apples but THIS I want to try 😋😋
I hope you LOVE them!!! 🙂
Snapchat made me come here haha Not disappointed!
YAAAAASSSS!! lol. That just made my day 🙂 My ploy to lure you worked. ha ha!!
Nice Recipe
Thank you!