Best Baked Apples

Does anyone else rationalize desserts that use fruit are “healthy”? I know they aren’t, but I feel a little better about myself than just downing a giant slice of cake. These Baked Apples have double fruit!

Fall’s favorite fruit is without a doubt, apples. We go apple picking every year and love to make apple pie, apple cider, apple juice, pretty much any apple desserts we can think of. And that’s where these delicious baked apples come into play.

The Best Baked Apples are simple and can be prepared all the way until baking ahead of time. They are perfectly paired with a crisp apple wine and a generous scoop of vanilla, butter or caramel ice cream.

So what makes these “The Best” and different from any other apple recipe? The secret is to soak your dried cranberries in Chambord, a raspberry flavored liqueur.

Don’t worry, the residual alcohol will bake off, but you will be left with plump and flavorful cranberries coated in a brown sugar sauce. The key to your baked apple not being too sweet is in choosing the correct apple.

Pick a tart variety, I prefer Granny Smith. The flavors will play off of each and not be overwhelming in either direction.

So the next time you have extra apples or you’re looking for a great addition to the dessert table, give this delicious dessert a try!

Baked Apples Ingredients

• Apples – The best apples to use are large, tart apples such as Granny Smith for this recipe. Other options could be gala apples, pink lady, honey crisp apples or any variety of apple that you prefer. The size of your apples does matter, so make sure they’re large.
• Dried cranberries – These are usually found near the raisins in the grocery store. Feel free to experiment with the flavors. I’ve seen them infused with pomegranate juice and even blueberry juice too.
• Chambord – Chambord is a raspberry liqueur that it used in many cocktails and martinis. We use it for this sweet treat as the perfect way to complement the sweet apple flavor.
• Walnuts – Chopped walnuts add a crunch to this stuffed apples recipe. Feel free to use pecans instead, or any other nut that you prefer.
• Light brown sugar – Brown sugar filling is what sends this perfect fall dessert over the top. It’s perfectly sweet and warm flavored, bring everything together perfectly.
• Salt – Just to balance out all the sweet flavors we have going on, we need a touch of salt added to the filling.
• Ice cream – I love serving my stuffed baked apple recipe with some caramel sauce and a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top of each apple. However, butter ice cream or caramel ice cream would also taste delicious.

How to Make Stuffed Baked Apples

1. Soak cranberries. Soak dried cranberries in Chambord liqueur. Allow them to get slightly plump. Drain and discard excess Chambord.
2. Prepare oven and baking sheet. Preheat oven and line the bottom of the baking dish with aluminum foil.
3. Prepare apples. Core apples and cut in half vertically. Scoop out the center of the apple to create a bowl. You can do this with an apple corer or melon baller. You can cut a small sliver the bottom so that it sits up properly and doesn’t wobble around.
4. Make filling. Mix filling ingredients (Chambord soaked dried cranberries, walnuts, brown sugar and salt) in small bowl and mix well. Spoon into apple halves and place apples in baking container.
5. Bake. Bake until brown sugar starts to caramelize and apples are soft, but not mushy. If you over cook the apple, it will not be taunt enough to hold the filling.
6. Serve. Remove and serve with a scoop of ice cream.

Variations

• Type of apple – I prefer and recommend using granny smith apples; however, any firm apple will do. Honeycrisp apples are another great large apple to use.
• Filling – If you’re not into the nuts and cranberries, try making an oatmeal filling. Use your favorite apples crisp filling and these baked apples turn into individual apple crisps.
• Cinnamon – Are you a big fan of cinnamon apples? Sprinkle a teaspoon cinnamon into the filling and onto the sides of the apple. It will really take that fall flavor up a notch.

Storage and Freezing

You can store these baked apples in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat, simply place in a preheated oven for about five minutes.

Cooked apples freeze very well. You can store these apples in the freezer for up to five months.

More Fruity Desserts

• Grilled Peaches
• Balsamic Strawberry Parfaits
• Blackberry Popovers

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The Best Baked Apples

4.94 from 16 votes

The Best Baked Apples are simple and can be prepared all the way until baking ahead of time. They are perfectly paired with a crisp apple wine and a generous scoop of vanilla, butter or caramel ice cream.

Prep Time: 45 mins

Cook Time: 20 mins

Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins

Servings: 4

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Ingredients

• 2 large tart apples such as Granny Smith
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup Chambord
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• Ice cream

Instructions

• Soak dried cranberries in Chambord for 30 minutes. Drain and discard excess Chambord.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a 9×13 baking dish with aluminum foil.
• Core apples and cut in half vertically. Scoop out the centers to create a bowl. You can cut a small sliver the bottom so that it sits up properly and doesn’t wobble around.
• Mix Chambord soaked dried cranberries, walnuts, brown sugar and salt in small bowl and mix well. Spoon into apple halves and place in baking container.
• Bake for 10-12 minutes or until brown sugar starts to caramelize and apples are soft, but not mushy. If you over cook the apple, it will not be taunt enough to hold the filling.
• Remove and serve with vanilla ice cream. Enjoy your Best Baked Apples!
• If you’ve tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was! 

Nutrition

Calories: 384 kcal, Carbohydrates: 63 g, Protein: 2 g, Fat: 9 g, Sodium: 84 mg, Potassium: 207 mg, Fiber: 4 g, Sugar: 55 g, Vitamin A: 50 IU, Vitamin C: 4.2 mg, Calcium: 43 mg, Iron: 0.8 mg

Author: Jessica Formicola

Calories: 384

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: baked apples