This easy baked apples recipe celebrates autumn flavors with simple ingredients. Honeycrisp apples are seasoned with cinnamon and nutmeg, filled with a brown sugar and butter mixture, and topped with chopped walnuts (or pecans) for a warm, comforting dessert.
You may also enjoy my apple cinnamon muffins and caramel apple cinnamon rolls.
Apple season brings cozy desserts, ciders, and gatherings — and these baked apples are an effortless way to enjoy the harvest. The recipe is straightforward and family-friendly, so kids can help with coring and stuffing the fruit (an apple corer makes it easiest).
How to make baked apples?
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a mixing bowl, combine softened unsalted butter, light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and chopped walnuts or pecans. Stir until the mixture forms a thick, spreadable filling.
Wash and core four large apples, being careful not to cut through the bottom. Leave a thin layer of flesh so the filling stays inside while baking.
Divide the brown sugar mixture into four portions and press it into the center of each apple. Pack it down firmly — the filling will melt as the apples bake, creating a delicious syrup inside the fruit.
Place the stuffed apples in a baking dish and pour about 1 cup of water into the dish to keep the apples moist while roasting. Bake for about 60 minutes, or until the apples are tender when pierced with a fork.
When the apples are soft, remove them from the oven and let them cool a few minutes before serving. They’re lovely on their own or topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra special treat.
Can you freeze baked apples?
Yes. You can freeze baked apples, but the texture will change once thawed since cooked fruit softens further when frozen and reheated. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating in the oven until warmed through.
What are the best apples for baked apples?
Choose an apple variety based on your taste. Honeycrisp offers sweetness and crispness, while a tart apple like Granny Smith holds up well and provides a nice contrast to the sweet filling. Use your favorite variety or a mix for balanced flavor and texture.
More Dessert Recipes:
- Easy Peach Cobbler
- Apple Crisp
- Easy Cinnamon Apples
- Apple Cinnamon Bread
- Caramel Bread Pudding
- Crock Pot Cinnamon Apples
Easy Baked Apples Recipe
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Ingredients
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ cup walnuts, or pecans, chopped
- 4 apples, We used Honeycrisp.
- 1 cup water, for baking dish
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 375°F.
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In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, and nuts if using. Set aside.
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Wash and core the apples, leaving enough of the core to hold the filling so it doesn’t run out the bottom.
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Divide the filling into four equal portions and press the filling into the center of the apples, packing it tightly so it melts into a syrup while baking.
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Place the apples into a 2-quart baking dish and pour the water around them.
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Bake for 1 hour or until the apples are soft and cooked through.
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Remove from the oven and serve warm with vanilla ice cream if desired.