Best Baked Apples

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

Ingredients

These simple ingredients are all you need to make these baked apples. Don’t skip the Chambord — that’s what makes them the best!

• 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 apples 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. Dried cherries are also great, as are raisins.
• 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 warmly flavored, bringing 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.

Variations

These apples are perfect just the way they are! But you can make a few changes, too.

• 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 of cinnamon into the filling and onto the sides of the apple. It will really take that fall flavor up a notch.

How to Make Stuffed Baked Apples

Making stuffed apples is super easy and perfect as a side dish or dessert.

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 them 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 off 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 a small bowl and mix well. Spoon into apple halves and place apples in the baking container.
5. Bake. Bake until brown sugar starts to caramelize and the apples are tender, but not mushy. If you overcook the apple, it will not be taut enough to hold the filling.
6. Serve. Remove and serve with a scoop of ice cream.

Common Questions About Baked Apples

Storage

These easy apples store well in the fridge or freezer!

Refrigerator

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.

Freezer

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

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The Best Baked Apples

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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 minutes mins

Cook Time: 20 minutes mins

Total Time: 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Servings: 4

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Equipment

• 9×13 Baking Dish
• Apple Corer and Peeler

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 the dried cranberries in Chambord for 30 minutes. Drain and discard the excess Chambord.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9×13 baking dish with aluminum foil for easy clean up, this is optional.
• Core the 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 the drained cranberries, walnuts, brown sugar and salt in small bowl. Spoon the filling into the apple halves and place in baking container.
• Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the 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 from the oven and serve with vanilla ice cream.
• If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or star ratings.

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: Chef Jessica Formicola

Calories: 384

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: baked apples

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