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!
Suzy says
Bless you, Marisa. I hope you do give them a try. Let me know how you like them. I gave up making submissions to Foodgawker – it was too frustrating for me!
Suzy says
Thank you, Ashley. You’re too sweet!
Suzy says
Hi Helen. That’s a good way for me to think about it – they look ooey-gooey! And you’re right, the skin does look like puff pastry. I’m convinced that the perfectly baked apples that you see pictures of are taken out of the oven before they’re completely done. I hated that mine lost their pretty red color once they were completely baked.
Cindy says
Suzy this looks like a cup of fall heaven. Yummy!!! Printing this out for sure. Thanks for sharing
Cindy
Donnamae says
Looks scrumptious! Perfect for Fall! 😉
Jane says
Honey crisp are my favorite as well. Thanks for this yummy Fall recipe.
Teresa says
Looks so yummy. Can’t wait to try bake some honey crisps.
jane collins says
Looks like fall. Sounds delicious and I have it in my list of things to bake this week.
Charlotte Burkholder says
This looks like fall and deliciousness! Thanks for sharing on Family Joy Blog Link-up. Please come back and join us again! Remember to leave your host a comment to increase the chance of being featured.
ARTantana says
This looks amazing! Greetings from Dubai and have a great day!
Shantana
Wendy says
OH my! It is almost 11 PM and reading this makes me want to run to the grocery store RIGHT NOW to get the ingredients! I am so making this — thank you for sharing! Pinning and sharing on fb. 🙂
Patty says
oh those apples look amazing, and then I saw the ice cream on top! Great idea for fall
Jan Carden says
Love these! Cant wait to try this recipe!!!!
sharon says
We look forward every year to the honeycrisp arrival. Can’t wait to try them this way. Thank you.
Beth says
Can’t wait to try the baked apples!
Debbie says
This looks wonderful. Fall is on it’s way. My favorite season. Thanks for sharing.
Amanda says
Oh my…this looks like the perfect treat for today’s weather. Thank you for linking up to the Creative K Kids’ Tasty Tuesday, don’t forget to party with us next week.
Tana Mason says
Oh my gosh i have never seen anything like this before. This recipe looks to die for!! Come over and party with us if you would like https://www.floydfamilyhomestead.com/2016/09/07/the-homesteader-hop19/
Liz Schweizer says
My husband celebrates honeycrisp season – he will LOVE these! Thank you for sharing; sounds fantastic.
Robin says
I love baked apples, they are my favorite fall treat. Thank you for sharing at the Creative Muster Party. PINNED!
Jen D. says
Those looks delicious – especially the one with the scoop of ice cream. This is a different recipe and sounds really yummy. I’m pinning it.
Theresa @DearCreatives says
Seriously looks amazing! Thanks for sharing at the #InspirationSpotlight party. See you again soon. Pinned & Shared.
Lori says
My parents always made baked apples in the fall – one of the many traditions I miss! I never thought to learn how to make them, but then again, I never thought I’d loose my parents as a young adult either… Thank you for sharing the baked apple recipe, you brought up a wonderful memory and motivation to bake some this fall!
Patricia says
That does look easy. Pinning that for cooler days ahead.
Sue says
This is one I’m going to bake, oh yum!
Lisa Malkus says
These look awesome and so easy!
cathy says
This is absolutely favorite site! You are awesome! Thanks for sharing your great decorating tips!
Cathy
Dianne says
Oh my gosh! I happen to have some Honeycrisp apples in the fridge and I will be having those baked apples tomorrow! There is NOTHING like that smell in your house in the Fall! Thanks so much….
Wendy Shipman says
We just picked honey crisp apples last week. I’ll have to try this recipe. Thanks for sharing
Linda Hickey says
Love your Honey Crisp Apple Recipe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Diannia says
Thank you for this wonderful recipe! I wonder if you could use the apple that you scooped out in the stuffing mixture?
Suzy says
I bet you could! That’s a great idea!
AAdkisson says
Using small pieces of chopped apple in the brown sugar mix is exactly what the picture looks like…unless those are light raisins? I don’t know…but the picture certainly shows something else besides what is called for in the recipe.
Brenda says
Definitely need to make these this fall!
Patricia says
I both pinned this and printed the recipe out. It looks adorable and hopefully will taste just as good. I’ll probably sub raisins for the cranberries (have raisins on hand). If this turns out as well as I hope, I’ve got a new dessert for company.
chris Julian says
I’m making these for breakfast. Yum
Janice Stewart says
Yum Can’t wait to bake these!
Kay Donley says
I am definitely going to try these. They look delicious.
Kim says
Oh my goodness, these look absolutely delicious! Can’t wait to try this recipe. Pinned it for this weekend!
Debbie S says
Oh these look wonderful! I am going apple picking with my aunt tomorrow and plan to make these when I come home. Thanks for the yummy recipe!
Rita Capps says
Got to try this recipe. Cooking apples make your home smell so delicious and cozy!! Yummy.
Nancy says
I’ll be right over….ice cream with mine please LOL
Denise Davis says
Suzy, I just discovered these amazing honeycrisp apples so this recepie will be put to use.
Nancy Freitag says
Theses look so yummy! I can’t wait to try them out on my family. Thank you
christina p says
I love honeycrisp apples.. I haven’t had a baked apple in a while. Must add this to my list!
Kathleen says
Oh, love baked apples, and HoneyCrisp even more! They are SO expensive here in Dallas right now, but I’ll have to splurge to try this recipe! I had thought about using the cut off top diced into the mix, OR a little snack for the baker, maybe?!
Thanks, Suzy ~ this looks so very yummy! And it would be a beautiful dessert for company, esp. with ice cream & a little drizzle of caramel!!!
Chris julian says
Hi Suzy,
I’m at a bit late at this recipe but I can’t wait to make them this week for my family. Definitely adding the ice cream! Chris
Rosie says
These do look so good, and baked apples are a nice dessert year round, with or without ice cream!
Lyndsey says
Oh goshhh! It looks so yummy. I’m a big fan of apple and I can’t wait to make this dish tomorrow. I bet it will be the best apple recipe I’ve ever made! Thanks for your recipe.
Suzy says
I hope you love them as much as we do!
Deirdre says
I did it successfully last dinner. However, the apples I chose are not very good, so I will try again later this week. My little daughter likes dried cranberries, so I’ll give more. Hope it will be delicious.
Suzy says
I think the secret (at least for me) is making sure to use Honeycrisp apples. I bet dried cranberries will be a delicious addition!