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    Home » Recipes » Desserts » Baked Apples

    Baked Apples

    Published: September 29, 2019 · Modified: Aug 6, 2020 by John Kanell

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

    These EASY baked apples filled with a sweet, richly-spiced mixture of brown sugar and pecans are a quick, healthy, and Delicious fall treat.

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    baked apples in a baking dish
    baked apple on a plate
    baked apple on a plate
    baked apple on a plate
    A baked apple on a porcelain plate.
    A baked apple with pecans on a porcelain plate.
    Four baked apples in a blue baking dish.
    A baked apple on a porcelain plate with a slice of apple on it.
    A baked apple with an extra slice showing the filling on a porcelain plate.
    Water pouring in a baking dish with apples.
    Four baked apples in a baking dish.
    Four baked apples on a porcelain plates.
    baked apple on a plate

    If cobbler is apple pie’s less fussy friend then baked apples are their freewheeling easy-going cousin. They’re ULTRA-easy to make with almost no cleanup after and they are DELICIOUS! 

    What You’ll Need For This Recipe

    Ingredients for making baked apples on a marble counter.

    Apples: Fuji, Gala, and Cortland apples all work really well for this recipe but you can use any eating apple you have on hand/enjoy.

    Brown Sugar: Light or dark brown sugar work well for this recipe.

    Butter: You can definitely use salted butter instead of unsalted if you like the contrast it adds.

    How to Make Baked Apples

    Apples getting cored and nut's chopped

    1. Heat oven to 350F and Scoop out the inside of your apples. You want a nice well that will hold the filling, so don’t go through to the bottom.

    2. Give your pecans a rough chop. You can use walnuts instead if you like them better.

    two photos showing nutmeg getting grater and pecans getting added to brown sugar in a bowl.

    3. Add the brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg to a medium bowl and then whisk them together.

    4. Add the chopped toasted pecans and mix in then set aside.

    Pats of butter getting placed on filled apples

    5. Fill the apples with the brown sugar mixture then drizzle vanilla over each. 

    6. Top the apples with a pat of butter. Pour water into the dish and bake until softened. Pouring water into the dish helps keep the apples from drying out. You can use apple juice or apple cider instead and then baste the baked apples with the juice or use it to make a quick sauce by cooking it down a bit in a pan with a bit of corn starch and sugar. Four baked apples in a blue and white baking dish.

    Pro Tips for this Recipe

    • Choose the right type of apple for this recipe. Mealy apples like red delicious will just fall apart, you want them to be spoon soft after baking. Scroll down for my apple recommendations!
    • Think of this recipe as a starting point. You can add raisins, currants, maple syrup, an oat-based crisp topping, or even some caramel to the mix!
    • Baked apples are a dish you can make in a snap but you can mix up the filling and keep it in a sealed container so you can make this easy treat even quicker.
    • Adding liquid to the baking dish is important for preventing the apples from burning and drying out.
    • This is not a dessert to dazzle the eyes, but it is delicious! Don’t worry if your apple looks a bit rough after scooping the inside out. you can always top with a scoop of ice cream or dollop of whipped cream to perk things up.

    A top down photo of a baked apple on a plate.

    FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

    Which apples are best for baking?

    Fuji, gala, and cortland apples all work well. You want a nice firm baking apple that will not fall apart or retain too much firmness.

    What can you serve with this recipe?

    Ice cream, whipped cream, or a dash of heavy cream will all be delicious with baked apples. Anything cool and creamy really compliments the warm spiced apple.

    Can you make baked apples in advance?

    These apples will keep for two days in the fridge but should definitely be served warm. If reheating then pop them into the oven at 350 for about 20 minutes Or microwave until warmed through. In either case I recommend adding some water or apple juice to the dish and covering so they don’t dry out. 

    What spices can I add to my filling?

    • Cardamom
    • Allspice
    • Nutmeg
    • Ginger
    • Cloves

    If you love this recipe try these out!

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      Apple Pie Recipe

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      Apple Spice Cake

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    • Apple pie cookies with a bite taken out of one.

      Apple Pie Cookies

    If you’ve tried this baked apple recipe then don’t forget to leave a rating and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you! 

    A baked apple on a porcelain plate.
    Print
    5 from 6 votes

    Baked Apples

    These baked apples filled with a sweet, richly-spiced mixture of brown sugar and pecans are a quick and delicious autumnal treat.
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American, British
    Prep Time 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 1 hour hour
    Total Time 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes
    Servings 4 Apples
    Calories 334kcal
    Author John Kanell

    Equipment

    • Square baking dish

    Ingredients

    • 4 apples large
    • 1/3 cup brown sugar
    • 1/3 cup pecans chopped and toasted
    • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
    • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
    • 4 tbsp butter divided
    • 1 tbsp vanilla extract 15mL
    • 1 cup water very hot

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350F. In a medium bowl mix together the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and pecans. Set aside.
    • Use a round teaspoon to scoop out the center of the apple leaving half an inch or more of the bottom. The well you create in each apple should be about an inch in diameter.
    • Fill each apple with the brown sugar mixture, drizzle an equal amount of vanilla in each, and top with a pat of butter.
    • Place the apples into a square baking dish and carefully pour the HOT water into the dish.
    • Bake apples at 350F for about 50 minutes. The apples should be softened and tender but not falling apart.

    Video

    Notes

    • Choose the right type of apple for this recipe. Mealy apples like red delicious will just fall apart, you want them to be spoon soft after baking. Scroll down for my Apple recommendations!
    • Think of this recipe as a starting point. You can add raisins, currants, maple syrup, an oat-based crisp topping, or even some caramel to the mix!
    • You can also add a bit of lemon zest for some zing, or a tablespoon of bourbon or brandy for added depth of flavor.
    • Baked apples are a dish you can make in a snap but you can mix up the filling and keep it in a sealed container so you can make this easy treat even quicker.
    • Adding liquid to the baking dish it important for preventing the apples from burning and drying out.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1apple | Calories: 334kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 112mg | Potassium: 253mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 37g | Vitamin A: 453IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 39mg | Iron: 1mg
    *Nutrition Disclaimer
    Have you Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @preppykitchen and tag #preppykitchen!
    « Caramel Apple Cupcakes
    Apple Roses Pie »

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    Welcome to Preppy Kitchen!

    Thanks for stopping by! I’m John Kanell, a husband, dad to twins Lachlan and George, Los Angeles native, and an avid baker and cooker of all things delicious thanks to a life long education from my mother. This blog is where I share all of my kitchen creations!

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