Description
This Simple Baked Apples recipe offers a warm, comforting dessert featuring tender apples filled with a cinnamon-spiced brown sugar mixture and baked to perfection. Enhanced with nutmeg, lemon juice, and a touch of butter, this dish is easy to prepare and perfect for cozy evenings or festive occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Apples
- 4 medium Apples (Choose varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
Filling
- 1/4 cup Brown Sugar (Adds a rich, caramel-like sweetness)
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon (Infuses the apples with warm aroma)
- 1 pinch Ground Nutmeg (Adds depth to the flavor)
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice (Brightens the flavors and balances sweetness)
Additional Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons Unsalted Butter (Adds richness and depth)
- 3 tablespoons Water (Helps steam the apples while baking)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the apples.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Lightly grease your baking dish with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Wash Apples: Thoroughly wash the apples under running water and pat them dry with a towel.
- Core Apples: Using an apple corer or knife, carefully remove the core from each apple, keeping the bottom intact to hold the filling.
- Make Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and lemon juice. Stir the mixture until well blended.
- Fill Apples: Generously spoon the sugar and spice mixture into the cored centers of each apple.
- Arrange in Dish: Place the filled apples upright in the prepared baking dish.
- Add Butter: Cut the unsalted butter into small pieces and place them on top of the filled apples.
- Add Water: Pour the water into the bottom of the baking dish to help steam the apples as they bake.
- Cover Dish: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil to trap moisture and heat.
- Initial Bake: Bake the apples covered for 25 minutes in the preheated oven.
- Finish Baking: Remove the foil and bake the apples uncovered for an additional 15 to 20 minutes to allow them to brown and caramelize slightly.
- Test Doneness: Check the apples by inserting a fork into one; the flesh should be tender and soft.
- Cool Slightly: Remove the baking dish from the oven and let the apples cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Serve: Serve the baked apples warm, drizzled with the sauce collected at the bottom of the baking dish.
Notes
- Choose firm apples such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best texture after baking.
- The filling can be customized with chopped nuts or raisins for added texture and flavor.
- To make the dish vegan, substitute butter with a plant-based margarine.
- Serving with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce makes a perfect dessert.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator and reheat gently before serving.
