If you’re craving a cozy dessert that’s as simple as it is irresistible, you need to try this Easy Baked Apples Recipe. Each bite sings with sweet apple, warm cinnamon, and melty brown sugar, with a delightful crunch from nuts and a tangy pop from dried fruit. Whether you’re curling up with a book or gathering around the table with family, this recipe will fill your kitchen with the most inviting aroma and your heart with comfort. You won’t believe how easy it is to whip up, making it the perfect go-to treat for chilly nights or whenever you need a little apple magic.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe keeps things beautifully uncomplicated but delivers maximum flavor. Every ingredient has its own important role, from making the apples tender and aromatic to creating pools of syrupy sweetness. Here’s what you need for the best Easy Baked Apples Recipe:

Apples: Choose a firm variety like Honeycrisp or Fuji, so they hold their shape and give you that juicy, tender bite.
Brown sugar: Adds a lovely molasses depth and helps create a caramelized sauce as the apples bake.
Ground cinnamon: Brings that classic autumn warmth and infuses the apples with comforting spice.
Ground nutmeg: Just a touch enhances the cinnamon and adds a subtle, nutty complexity.
Chopped walnuts or pecans (optional): For a satisfying crunch and a slightly toasty flavor contrast (totally optional, but so good!).
Raisins or dried cranberries: These get plump and juicy in the oven, adding bright bursts of sweetness in every spoonful.
Unsalted butter: Melts into the filling for a luscious richness and helps everything meld together.
Apple juice or water: Keeps the apples moist and creates a lightly spiced syrup at the bottom of the dish.

How to Make Easy Baked Apples Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Apples

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F to get things nice and toasty. Then, using a paring knife or apple corer, carefully core each apple—you want to scoop out the seeds and a bit of flesh to create a well for the filling, but don’t go all the way through the bottom. This way, your delicious mixture stays tucked inside as the apples bake.

Step 2: Mix Up the Filling

Now the fun part! In a bowl, stir together brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, your nuts of choice, and the raisins or dried cranberries. Give it a good toss to combine, so every bite is packed with sweet-spiced goodness. If you like, add a splash of vanilla or a drizzle of maple syrup for a little extra flavor flair.

Step 3: Stuff and Arrange the Apples

Place your cored apples snugly in a small baking dish. Divide the filling among the apples, pressing it down gently so each one gets its fair share. Don’t be shy—pack it in! Once they’re filled, dot the tops with a few small pieces of unsalted butter to help everything bubble and melt together beautifully.

Step 4: Add Liquid and Bake

Pour apple juice or water into the bottom of the baking dish; this little bath ensures the apples stay juicy and the bottoms don’t burn. Cover the dish with foil and pop it into the oven. Bake for 20 minutes covered to let the apples steam, then remove the foil and bake for another 15 to 20 minutes. They’re done when they’re fork-tender but still holding their shape—no apple sauce here!

Step 5: Serve and Savor

Let the baked apples cool for a few minutes before serving—they’ll be piping hot from the oven. Spoon a little of the syrupy liquid over each apple and enjoy warm, either on their own or with your favorite toppings (hello, vanilla ice cream!). The Easy Baked Apples Recipe is truly one of life’s simple pleasures.

How to Serve Easy Baked Apples Recipe

Garnishes

A perfect finishing touch makes this dessert extra special. A scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream is classic, but you can also sprinkle a pinch of extra cinnamon, a dollop of whipped cream, or even a drizzle of caramel sauce. Each of these crowns your Easy Baked Apples Recipe with a layer of pure indulgence.

Side Dishes

If you’re serving these apples as the grand finale to dinner, they pair nicely with light sides like Greek yogurt or a crisp salad of winter greens. For a brunch treat, serve alongside pancakes or waffles—the apples and their syrupy sauce are fantastic poured right over the top!

Creative Ways to Present

For a charming twist, serve your Easy Baked Apples Recipe in individual ramekins or hollowed-out pumpkin halves for a festive feel. You can also slice the baked apples over warm oatmeal or layer them in a mason jar with granola and yogurt for a breakfast parfait that tastes like dessert.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you find yourself with leftover baked apples (lucky you!), let them cool completely before covering and refrigerating. They’ll keep well in an airtight container for up to 3 days, making it easy to sneak a sweet bite whenever the craving hits.

Freezing

This Easy Baked Apples Recipe actually freezes quite well. Place the cooled apples in a freezer-safe container, making sure they’re not crowded together. Freeze for up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy, simply thaw them overnight in the fridge.

Reheating

To recapture that fresh-from-the-oven magic, reheat the apples in a microwave-safe dish for about 1 to 2 minutes, or warm gently in a 325°F oven until heated through. Add a splash of apple juice or water if they seem a bit dry—they’ll be as delicious as day one!

FAQs

Can I use a different type Dessert

Absolutely! While Honeycrisp and Fuji are crowd-pleasers, other firm apples like Jonagold, Braeburn, or even Granny Smith work wonderfully and add their own flavor twist to the Easy Baked Apples Recipe.

Are the nuts and dried fruit necessary?

Not at all—feel free to skip the nuts or dried fruit if you have allergies or just prefer a simpler filling. The Easy Baked Apples Recipe is easy to customize to your taste, and you’ll still get fabulous results.

Can I prepare these ahead of time?

You sure can! You can core and stuff the apples a few hours before baking; just keep them covered in the fridge. Bake them just before serving for that irresistible, fresh-baked aroma and flavor.

What can I use instead of brown sugar?

If you’re out of brown sugar or looking for alternatives, coconut sugar or maple syrup are great swaps. They’ll give a slightly different flavor profile but will still make your Easy Baked Apples Recipe sing.

How do I make this recipe vegan?

It’s easy! Use a plant-based butter or coconut oil in place of the unsalted butter, and check that your sugar and other add-ins fit your dietary needs. The apples will still come out rich, flavorful, and perfectly tender.

Final Thoughts

I hope you’re as excited to try this Easy Baked Apples Recipe as I am to share it with you. It’s the kind of dessert that proves you don’t need anything fancy to make something truly memorable. Gather your apples and let your kitchen become the coziest spot in the house—enjoy every warm, cinnamon-spiced bite!

Easy Baked Apples Recipe

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4.8 from 13 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

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Description

Indulge in the warm, comforting flavors of fall with these easy baked apples. Filled with a sweet and nutty mixture, these tender apples are a simple and satisfying dessert that’s perfect for the season.

Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients:

4 medium apples (like Honeycrisp or Fuji)
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
1/4 cup raisins or dried cranberries
2 tablespoons unsalted butter (cut into small pieces)
1/2 cup apple juice or water

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Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F. Core the apples, leaving the bottoms intact to create a well for the filling. Place the apples in a small baking dish.
In a bowl, mix together the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, nuts (if using), and raisins or cranberries. Stuff each apple with the filling mixture, packing it in tightly.
Top each filled apple with a few small pieces of butter. Pour the apple juice or water into the bottom of the baking dish to help keep the apples moist during baking.
Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for another 15–20 minutes, or until the apples are tender but not mushy.
Serve warm on their own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Notes

For extra flavor, add a splash of vanilla extract or a drizzle of maple syrup to the filling mixture.
This recipe works well with a variety of firm apples like Jonagold, Braeburn, or Granny Smith for a tart twist.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American