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
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
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.
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.
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. 
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.
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!
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!
Baked Apples
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.
