This recipe for baked apples uses honeycrisp apples and is the most delicious recipe you’ll ever try!
Are you an expert or do you already know how to make baked apples? Even if you’ve made them many times, you may not have found a recipe for baked apples as tasty as this one! I’ve tried numerous recipes over the years and they all failed for one reason or another, but this one – this one is THE best baked apple recipe ever. Pinky promise. 🙂
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Besides pumpkins and beautiful fall foliage, raise your hand if you can tell me what is synonymous with fall. I’m talking apples, y’all. I love ’em and now’s the best time of year to enjoy them!
Here in North Carolina, we’ve entered apple harvest season, which runs from September through November. Farm-fresh apples can certainly be found at local farmer’s markets, but my favorite place to purchase apples is at a roadside stand along a winding road in the mountains. For me, buying apples is a great excuse for taking a road trip to enjoy some beautiful scenery and fall weather.
But, even though it isn’t officially fall quite yet, it soon will be! So to celebrate fall’s arrival and the start of apple season, I’m sharing the hands down best recipe for baked apples that I’ve ever eaten.
And on a side note, if you’ve never tried Honeycrisp apples, you are definitely missing out. They’re a bit more expensive that other apple varieties, but oh let me tell you – they are so, so worth it. They’re everything that their name implies – honey sweet and crisp!
WHAT YOU’LL FIND IN THIS POST
In addition to the recipe in this post, you’ll also find:
- tips for selecting the best fresh apples
- why baking times may vary
- how long you can store baked apples
- how to store the baked apples when you make them ahead
- how to reheat the entire dish or individual apples
- the best temperature for baking apples.
This recipe for baked apples is perfect for a snack, a side dish or including with any fall meal or even as a welcome addition to a Thanksgiving feast! I can just imagine these apples served as a welcome dessert after a savory meal of chili and my famous cornbread recipe. Yum!
I’ll let you in on a little secret – I am NOT an pie maker! When any of my meals call for pie for dessert, you’ll find me in the freezer section of my grocery store. 😀 I no longer purchase frozen apple pies though, because this recipe for baked apples is so much easier than making an actual pie!
The apples are delicious on their own, but why not make them even more scrumptious by topping them with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream or your favorite slice of cheese (I don’t understand putting cheese on apple pie, but I know many people love it!).
HOW TO SELECT THE BEST APPLES
No matter where you purchase your apples, here are some tips for how to select the best ones:
- Check the apple’s firmness. It should be firm to the touch. Avoid apples that are noticeably soft or indent easily when you press on them.
- Visually check the apple. Completely turn it in your hand to make sure there are no obvious bruises or holes in the skin.
- Take a sniff of the apple. A fresh, high-quality apple should have a pleasant aroma.
For years, I wondered how to make baked apples, but for some strange reason I always shied away from giving them a try. I can only guess that they sounded too complicated to mess with. Well, they aren’t – at least this recipe isn’t! I’m just sorry that I waited so long to give them a try. 🙁
HANDY PRODUCTS FOR MAKING BAKED APPLES
- A deep baking dish, large enough to hold at least 4 apples. Click HERE to see my favorite deep baking dish for both baking and serving.
- Good Grips apple corer. Click HERE for product info and purchasing.
- Click HERE for my favorite caramel sauce.
- Click HERE for the best dishwasher safe, no-thaw ice cream scoop.
- Small mixing bowls. Click HERE for my favorite set.
Baked Honeycrisp Apples {Best Ever!}
Ingredients
- 4 - Honeycrisp apples
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
- 4 tblsp butter
- creamy caramel sauce optional
- vanilla ice cream optional
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350° fahrenheit.
- Slice approximately 1/3 off of the top of the apples and scoop out the core, leaving a well in the center.
- In a bowl, mix brown sugar, cinnamon, cranberries and walnuts (using a spoon or fork) until blended.
- Stuff each apple with 1/4 of brown sugar mixture.
- Place apples in a deep baking dish, topping each apple with 1 tblsp butter and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Pour about 1/2" of water into the baking pan, around the apples, and bake for 50 - 60 minutes, until apples are tender.
- Serve warm, topped with caramel sauce drizzled on top of each apple, if desired.
- Also excellent served with vanilla or butter pecan ice cream.
Recipe Notes
Keep an eye on the water level when baking. Add more water, if needed, to prevent the apples from drying out.
ADDITIONAL TIPS
Here’s a few additional tips for you to use when making this best baked apple recipe:
- You can use an apple corer to remove the seeds or simply scoop out the middle with a spoon.
- Baking time will vary, depending upon size, ripeness and variety of apple. Use a fork, in the thickest part of the apple, to test for doneness.
- In general, baked apples can be prepared ahead. After baking, cover and refrigerate them for up to 4 days, then reheat to warm at 325° before serving.
- Individual apples may be reheated in a microwave at 50% power.
- Don’t be tempted to increase the baking temperature. The higher the temperature, the more likely the skin on apples will split or the apple will collapse.
Have I convinced you to give this recipe a try yet??? Oh my goodness, YUM!
