Baked Apples Recipe (Two Ways)
Make this baked apples recipe two ways: stuffed with a cinnamon-cardamom brown sugar filling, nuts, and dried fruit, or sliced and baked until tender. Both versions are vegan and gluten-free. Serve them warm with ice cream, Greek yogurt, or labneh.
Servings: 6 people
Ingredients
- 3 to 4 large baking apples, such as Honeycrisp, Jonagold, or Pink Lady
Cinnamon and Brown Sugar Mixture
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup lightly crushed nuts (I used 1/4 cup walnuts and 1/4 cup pistachios)
- 1/4 cup raisins, dried cranberries, or other chopped dried fruit of your choice
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1 to 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (use a mild and fruity olive oil such as Italian Nocellara EVOO)
Instructions
- Heat the oven. Arrange a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 375°F.
- Make the cinnamon and brown sugar mixture. In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, nuts, raisins or other dried fruit, cinnamon, and cardamom. Mix well.
Stuffed Baked Apples
- Core the apples. Use a sharp paring knife to cut around the stem and remove the core, creating an opening about 1 inch wide. Scoop out the seeds with a small spoon, taking care to leave the bottom 1/2-inch of each apple intact.
- Stuff the apples. Arrange the apples cavity-side up in a baking dish. Spoon the cinnamon and brown sugar mixture into the cavities, filling them to the top.
- Add the olive oil and water. Drizzle 1 to 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil over the apples. Pour 3/4 to 1 cup boiling water into the dish from the side.
- Bake. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until the apples are tender and cooked through but not mushy.
Sliced Baked Apples
- Prepare the apples. Core and peel the apples, then cut them into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Arrange the slices in a baking dish or pan.
- Season the apples. Sprinkle with the cinnamon and brown sugar mixture. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and 1/4 cup hot water or orange juice, then toss to combine.
- Bake. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring halfway through, until tender.
To Serve
- Baste and serve. Spoon the cinnamon and brown sugar sauce from the bottom of the baking dish over the warm apples. Serve as they are or add vanilla ice cream, Greek yogurt, whipped cream, or labneh.
Video
Notes
- Check for doneness: The apples are ready when they’re tender but still have a little bite. A fork should slide through easily.
- Avoid overbaking: If baked too long, the apples may become mushy.
- Serving size: This recipe serves up to six people, assuming one-half apple per serving with the cinnamon and brown sugar mixture.
- Storage: Cool leftovers, transfer them to an airtight container, and refrigerate for 3 to 4 days. Reheat gently until warmed through, or enjoy sliced apples cold.
- Shop this recipe: Visit our shop for fragrant ground cardamom and mild, buttery Italian Nocellara Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
Nutrition
Serving: 0.5 apple | Calories: 157.1kcal | Carbohydrates: 28.4g | Protein: 2.3g | Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 5.3mg | Potassium: 224.5mg | Fiber: 3.8g | Sugar: 18.7g | Vitamin A: 49.7IU | Vitamin C: 4.5mg | Calcium: 40.5mg | Iron: 0.7mg
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