Baked apples are a classic and easy comforting dessert that only requires a couple of minutes of prep time! They are packed with a combination of brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon for a truly delicious treat. Eat them by themselves or top them with a scoop of ice cream for some extra sweetness!
Classic Whole Baked Apples
Nothing smells better than baking apples in the oven! I love to make these simple baked apples as a tasty fall-time treat.
They are the perfect dessert for when you don't want to have to spend a lot of time or effort in the kitchen. Plus, the minimal ingredient list allows the natural flavors of the apple to shine!
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🥘 Baked Apples Ingredients
This simple recipe only uses 4 ingredients that you might already have! Mix in some raisins or pecans for some extra flavor and texture.
- Apples - 4 large apples. Try to use a variety that is great for baking, such as Honeycrisp (*see note)!
- Butter - 4 tablespoons, or half a stick, of softened butter.
- Brown Sugar - ½ cup of brown sugar.
- Cinnamon - ¾ teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
- Pecans (optional) - ¼ cup of chopped pecans or walnuts.
- Raisins (optional) - ¼ cup of raisins.
- Water - ¾ cup of water, or enough to cover the bottom of your baking dish.
*Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!*
🔪 How To Bake Apples
This classic recipe is so easy that even a beginner can make it! The only equipment you will need is a baking dish and a knife!
This recipe is for 4 baked apples, but you can always adjust it to make more!
- Preheat. To get started, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare the apples. Wash your 4 apples thoroughly and cut off the stem end of the apple. Then, cut or scoop out the core, making sure to leave the bottom ½-inch intact in order to contain the filling.
- Make the filling. In a small bowl, combine the 4 tablespoons of butter, ½ cup of brown sugar, ¾ teaspoon of cinnamon, and optional ¼ cup of pecans and raisins, if using. Stir to evenly distribute all of the ingredients.
- Fill the apples. Take a scoop of the mixture and press it into the cavity of the apples. Place the top of the apples back on top, over the filling.
- Add water. Pour your ¾ cup of water into a baking dish and then set the apples, upright, inside the dish.
- Bake. Bake the apples at 375°F (190°C) for 45 minutes - 1 hour, or until the apples are soft and the filling has browned.
- Remove. Once cooked, remove them from the oven and baste them with the juices from the baking dish. Enjoy while warm.
These delicious apples make the best treat! I like to top mine with a scoop of ice cream, nice cream, some homemade whipped cream, or a honey and mascarpone blend. Enjoy!
💭 Angela's Tips & Recipe Notes
- Make sure to choose an apple variety that is great for baking! This ensures that the apple will hold its shape and not fall apart in the oven. I like to use Honeycrisp, Rome Beauty, Granny Smith, Braeburn, Jonagold, or Winesap!
- If you are short on time, these tasty apples can be made in the microwave! Simply microwave them on high for 5-8 minutes.
- To store: Place your baked apples into an airtight container and place them in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
- To reheat: Microwave in short 30-second increments until heated thoroughly.
❓ FAQ
Yep! Even when baked, apples are a healthy nutritious treat! Of course, the added sugar filling isn't exactly the healthiest, but the apple itself still is!
Of course, you can use an apple corer to remove the core from your apple. However, if you don't have one, you can use a knife to carefully cut out the core of the apple.
For these baked apples, I like to simply chop off the entire top of the apple and then use a spoon (or a knife) to scoop out the core!
Nope! You can also chop the entire apple in half from top to bottom and cut out the core that way. It also gives you more surface area for the tasty filling!
If you are wanting to bake apple slices, check out my recipe for baked cinnamon apples!
🍎 Delicious Apple Recipes
- Granny Smith Apple Pie - Nothing is a more traditional dessert than an old-fashioned apple pie!
- Apple Pie French Toast Casserole - This incredibly addicting dish is the perfect combination between french toast and apple pie!
- Sugar Cookie Apple Cobbler - This sweet treat only uses 2 ingredients to make! Talk about simple!
- Puff Pastry Apple Turnovers - These sweet turnovers are perfect for enjoying your dessert on the go!
- Bisquick Apple Cobbler - For an easier alternative to traditional cobbler, check out this simple recipe!
- Apple Banana Muffins - These quick and easy muffins are a perfectly nutritious breakfast treat!
📋 Recipe
Baked Apples
Ingredients
- 4 large apples (*see note)
- 4 tablespoon butter (½ stick, softened)
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¾ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ cup chopped pecans (optional, or walnuts)
- ¼ cup raisins (optional)
- ¾ cup water (enough to cover the bottom of your baking dish)
Instructions
- To get started, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Wash your apples thoroughly and cut off the stem end of the apple. Then, cut or scoop out the core, making sure to leave the bottom ½-inch intact in order to contain the filling.4 large apples
- In a small bowl, combine the butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and optional pecans and raisins, if using. Stir to evenly distribute all of the ingredients.4 tablespoon butter, ½ cup brown sugar, ¾ teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ cup chopped pecans, ¼ cup raisins
- Take a scoop of the mixture and press it into the cavity of the apples. Place the top of the apples back on top, over the filling.
- Pour your water into a baking dish and then set the apples, upright, inside the dish.¾ cup water
- Bake the apples at 375°F (190°C) for 45 minutes - 1 hour, or until the apples are soft and the filling has browned.
- Once cooked, remove them from the oven and baste them with the juices from the baking dish. Enjoy while warm.
Equipment You May Need
Notes
- Make sure to choose an apple variety that is great for baking! This ensures that the apple will hold its shape and not fall apart in the oven. I like to use Honeycrisp, Rome Beauty, Granny Smith, Braeburn, Jonagold, or Winesap!
- If you are short on time, these tasty apples can be made in the microwave! Simply microwave them on high for 5-8 minutes.
- To store: Place your baked apples into an airtight container and place them in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
- To reheat: Microwave in short 30-second increments until heated thoroughly.
Nutrition
Angela is an at home chef that developed a passion for all things cooking and baking at a young age in her Grandma's kitchen. After many years in the food service industry, she now enjoys sharing all of her family favorite recipes and creating tasty dinner and amazing dessert recipes here at Bake It With Love!
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