• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Side Dishes
  • Dinners
  • Desserts
  • About
    • Contact Us
  • Subscribe

Bake It With Love

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Side Dishes
  • Dinners
  • Desserts
  • About
    • Contact Us
  • Subscribe
  • Join Us!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
      • Breakfast
      • Side Dishes
    • Dinners
    • Desserts
    • About
      • Contact Us
    • Subscribe
  • Join Us!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Tips Tricks and Information

    Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com · Leave a Comment

    Best Apples For Baking & Cooking

    Share This Recipe!

    • Share
    • Twitter
    • Yummly
    • Print
    • Email
    Jump to Recipe
    Pin image with text of an apple with other baking and cooking ingredients.

    The best apples for baking & cooking are ones that suit your dish and can handle the cooking method being used. This guide will walk you through the exact apple varieties that you need for any recipe! You'll even get some delicious recipes to go with it!

    The Overall Best Apples To Use In Recipes

    All apple varieties are different and have different uses. Some are great for snacking, some are wonderful for cooking, some are perfect in baked goods, and some work well in a variety of different recipes!

    This guide will walk you through all of the best apples for use in your recipes, whether it be cooking or baking. You'll even get some tips and tricks for how to best use them!

    Square image of an apple with other baking and cooking ingredients.
    Jump to:
    • The Overall Best Apples To Use In Recipes
    • Comparing Apple Varieties
    • Braeburn
    • Cortland
    • Empire
    • Fuji
    • Gala
    • Golden Delicious
    • Granny Smith
    • Gravenstein
    • Honeycrisp
    • Ida Red
    • Jonagold
    • Jonathan
    • Macoun
    • McIntosh
    • Mutsu (Crispin)
    • Northern Spy
    • Winesap
    • Apple Tips
    • 🍎 Apple Recipes
    • 📋 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Comparing Apple Varieties

    Apples vary in flavor, firmness, sweetness, color, and size. All of these different attributes contribute to which varieties are better in different situations. Take a look at all of these tasty kinds of apples that will work fantastically in cooking and/or baking!

    If you are looking to make some tasty treats, make sure to check out my guides on the best apple varieties for apple pie and apple crisps!

    Braeburn

    Braeburns are a fantastic all-purpose apple variety that features a sweet-yet-tart flavor. They have a great texture for being baked and work wonderfully in pies and tarts!

    Cortland

    Cortland apples have a slightly tart flavor yet are wonderfully juicy! These apples are great for baking and making tasty pies, tarts, crumbles, crisps, and cobblers! Not to mention, they work great in salads and paired with cheese!

    As an added bonus, Cortland apples don't brown as quickly as some of the other varieties.

    Empire

    Empire apples have a firm texture and a sweet-tart flavor. They make a great all-purpose apple, working well in applesauce, juice, pies, tarts, snacking, salads, and even drying!

    Fuji

    Fuji apples are incredibly popular and easy to find in any grocery store! They are great for snacking and eating fresh, as well as baking!

    Gala

    Gala apples are mildly sweet with a crisp texture. They are tasty when eaten fresh, made into applesauce, and used for apple cider!

    Golden Delicious

    Golden delicious apples are great all-purpose apples! They have a mellow flavor and are rich and sweet. Plus, they are firm enough to hold their shape when baked.

    Granny Smith

    Granny smith apples are incredibly popular and known for their tartness. They are an all-purpose apple and can easily be enjoyed fresh or baked. In fact, they make a great combination when paired with sweeter varieties!

    Gravenstein

    Gravenstein apples are sweet-yet-tart and relatively firm. They make a great multi-purpose apple and are perfect for baking, eating raw, making applesauce, and making cider!

    Honeycrisp

    Honeycrisp apples are not only tasty for a snack, but they are fantastic baking apples as well! They have a wonderfully sweet flavor so they don't need to be paired with other apple varieties, yet they are firm enough to easily hold their shape!

    Ida Red

    Ida Red apples have a tangy flavor and are a great option for making homemade applesauce! They also freeze well, hold up to baking, and are tasty raw!

    Jonagold

    Jonagold apples are a cross between golden delicious and Jonathan apples. They have a tangy and sweet flavor and are great for both baking and enjoying fresh.

    Jonathan

    Jonathan apples are exceptionally tart in flavor with a unique spicy apple taste. They can easily hold up to being baked in the oven as well as taste great in applesauce and on salads.

    Macoun

    Macoun apples have a sweet flavor and are a good choice for sauce, eating raw, and adding to salads.

    McIntosh

    McIntosh apples are crisp and juicy! They tend to break down when baked, so they work best in sauces or eaten raw as a snack!

    Mutsu (Crispin)

    Mutsu apples are incredibly crisp and juicy. Their flavor is refreshing yet sweet and they work great in baked goods, making sauce, freezing, and enjoying raw!

    Northern Spy

    Northern spy apples are juicy, crisp, and slightly sweet and tart. They work well when juiced and are also great for baking!

    Winesap

    Winesap apples have a very distinct flavor. They are sweet, spicy, and wonderfully aromatic. The firm texture makes them great baking apples.

    Apple Tips

    • Pair different apple varieties together when making baked goods for a special flavor combination!
    • Firm apples that hold their shape when baked are the best option for pies and crisps.
    • Make sure to take a look at my guide to storing apples.

    These apple varieties are all great for baking and cooking. Which one is your favorite to use? Leave a comment down below!

    Pin image with text of an apple with other baking and cooking ingredients.

    🍎 Apple Recipes

    • Granny Smith Apple Pie - A classic apple pie recipe, made with wonderfully tart granny smith apples!
    • Apple Crisp - This delicious apple crisp is topped with a delicious streusel topping!
    • Apple Curd - Apple curd is a great addition to so many different desserts and sweet treats!
    • Crockpot Applesauce - Make your own applesauce at home and you'll never buy it premade again!
    • Apple Blackberry Crumble - This delicious crumble combines both apples and blackberries!
    • Apple Oatmeal Muffins - These tasty muffins are perfect for breakfast or an on-the-go snack!

    Do you love a recipe you tried? Please leave a 5-star 🌟rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page.
    Stay in touch with me through social media @ Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter! Subscribe to the newsletter today (no spam, I promise)! Don't forget to tag me when you try one of my recipes!

    📋 Recipe

    Square image of an apple with other baking and cooking ingredients.
    Print Recipe Leave A Comment
    Love This Recipe?Click On A Star To Rate It!
    5 from 1 review

    Best Apples For Baking & Cooking: Baked Apples

    The best apples for baking & cooking are ones that suit your dish and can handle the cooking method being used. This guide will walk you through the exact apple varieties that you need for any recipe! You'll even get some delicious recipes to go with it!
    Author | Angela
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 374kcal
    Prep 5 minutes minutes
    Cooking 45 minutes minutes
    Total Time 50 minutes minutes
    Pin Recipe Share on Facebook

    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)
    Help Us Out!If you love a recipe, be sure to come back and share your ratings. This helps future users, and allows me to continue sharing free recipes! Angela

    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

    Chef's Knife
    Mixing Bowl
    baking dish

    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

    Calories: 374kcal (19%) | Carbohydrates: 60g (20%) | Protein: 1g (2%) | Fat: 17g (26%) | Saturated Fat: 8g (50%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 30mg (10%) | Sodium: 104mg (5%) | Potassium: 339mg (10%) | Fiber: 6g (25%) | Sugar: 46g (51%) | Vitamin A: 453IU (9%) | Vitamin C: 9mg (11%) | Calcium: 49mg (5%) | Iron: 1mg (6%)
    Did you try this recipe? Rate it below!I can’t wait to see your results! Mention @bake_it_with_love or tag #bake_it_with_love!
    apple, baked apples, best apples for baking, Best Apples For Baking & Cooking, best apples for cooking, overall best apples for any recipe, what apples to use in pies
    Course Dessert, Fruit Desserts
    Cuisine American
    author profile photo
    Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com

    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!

    bakeitwithlove.com/about/
    « Yams vs Sweet Potatoes
    How To Freeze Sugar Cookies »

    Share This Recipe!

    • Share
    • Twitter
    • Yummly
    • Print
    • Email

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    No Comments

    Thanks for coming! Let me know what you think: Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
    Author bio photo with cake.

    Hi there, I'm Angela! I'm an avid vintage cookbook collector, recipe creator, animal lover, and total foodie. I love sharing new, fun, and creative recipes as well as great classic recipes, just like my Grandma used to make! Every recipe on BIWL is tested to make sure that cooks of any experience level can be successful. Enjoy!

    More about me →

    Fall Favorites

    • Square image of sour cream blueberry pie.
      Sour Cream Blueberry Pie
    • Square image of ginger molasses cookies on a white plate.
      Ginger Molasses Cookies
    • Square slice of sweet potato coffee cake on a light background with several other squares nearby.
      Sweet Potato Coffee Cake
    • Square image of copycat creacker barrel fried apples.
      Cracker Barrel Fried Apples
    • Square image showing maple candied yams in a white baking dish.
      Maple Candied Yams
    • Square image of sweet potato pie.
      Sweet Potato Pie
    • Square image of butternut squash risotto.
      Butternut Squash Risotto
    • Square image of pumpkin fudge poke cake slice on a white plate.
      Pumpkin Fudge Poke Cake

    Halloween Treats

    • Square image of Halloween peanut butter spider cookies
      Halloween Peanut Butter Spider Cookies
    • Square image of Halloween brownies.
      Halloween Brownies
    • Square image of Reese's Pieces Halloween bars.
      Halloween Reese's Pieces Bars
    • Square image of Halloween puff pastry mummies.
      Halloween Baked Cheese Mummy
    • Square image of Halloween crescent roll witch hats.
      Halloween Crescent Roll Witches Hats
    • Square split image showing different Halloween cocktails.
      Halloween Cocktails
    • Square image of chocolate dirt cake cookies.
      Dirt Cake Cookies
    • Square image of Reese's pieces bar.
      Reese's Pieces Bars
    As Seen On block with logos from the companies Angela has worked with including Mashed, Vice Munchies, Lake Country Journal, Delish, Yummly, and more.

    DISCLAIMER: As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no added cost to you.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Angela
    • Privacy Policy
    • Work With Me
    • Contact
    • FAQ
    • Home
    • Accessibility Statement
    • Subscribe
    • Oven Conversions

    Recipes

    • Dinners
    • Desserts
    • Side Dishes
    • Breakfasts
    • Appetizers
    • Condiments
    • Air Fryer
    • Slow Cooker
    • Instant Pot

    Read

    • Collections
    • Baking Basics
    • Conversions
    • Food That Starts With
    • Substitutions
    • Freezing
    • Reheating
    • Food Info
    • Web Stories

    Copyright © 2023 Bake It With Love