These easy Baked Apples are infused with cinnamon and brown sugar from the inside out and taste like the filling for apple pie. Enjoy them as-is for a cozy fall treat, or serve them topped with whipped cream, ice cream, or caramel sauce.
Prep: 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.
Wash and core the apples using a melon baller, or small paring knife, leaving the base intact to keep the filling in - don't cut all the way through! Place apples in a casserole dish just big enough to hold the apples without them touching.
Stuff Apples: 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. Set apples into a 9x13 or 9x12 casserole dish.
Bake: 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.
To Serve: Spoon the juices from the baking dish over the apples and serve each apple topped with whipped cream and caramel or a scoop of ice cream.
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.*You can substitute raisins with 1/4 cup old-fashioned rolled oats. Make-Ahead and Storage - I don't recommend making the apples ahead since they can discolor and soften, but you can pre-make the filling 2 days ahead. Leftrover apples also keep really well.
To Refrigerate: Bake the apples and cool to room temperature, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Freezing: I don't recommend freezing the baked apples since they will get mushy.
To Reheat Apples: microwave for 30-45 seconds, or until warmed through.
Nutrition Facts
Baked Apples Recipe
Amount per Serving
Calories
269
% Daily Value*
Fat
9
g
14
%
Saturated Fat
4
g
25
%
Cholesterol
15
mg
5
%
Sodium
10
mg
0
%
Potassium
240
mg
7
%
Carbohydrates
49
g
16
%
Fiber
5
g
21
%
Sugar
41
g
46
%
Protein
1
g
2
%
Vitamin A
275
IU
6
%
Vitamin C
8.3
mg
10
%
Calcium
37
mg
4
%
Iron
0.6
mg
3
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.