Enjoy these baked apples for breakfast, brunch, or as a gluten-free dessert. Topped with whipped cream and caramel, they never fail to impress! Here’s why this recipe is a winner:
- Simple Ingredients – You only need 6 ingredients to create these delectable baked apples. All ingredients are gluten-free, with options for dairy-free and nut-free alternatives.
- Full of Fall Flavor – Our baked apples are infused with the rich flavors of brown sugar, cinnamon, and cranberries, capturing the essence of autumn in a simple homemade treat.
- Easy to Scale – This recipe is just as easy to adjust for an intimate meal as it is to make for a larger holiday gathering.
Ingredients
Here’s a breakdown of the ingredients you’ll need to make these baked apples. For specific quantities, please refer to the recipe card below:
- Apples – You’ll require 6 medium-sized baking apples, preferably crisp and firm varieties like Rome Beauty or Granny Smith.
- Brown Sugar – Brown sugar imparts a delightful caramelized flavor to the baked apples.
- Cinnamon and Nutmeg – The combination of these warm spices enhances the fall flavor and accentuates the apple’s natural taste.
- Dried Cranberries – Use craisins or raisins as desired.
- Butter – A spoonful of butter atop each apple before baking enhances the caramelization of the brown sugar filling, resulting in rich and flavorful baked apples.
- Walnuts – For an added crunch, finely chop walnuts or pecans can be included in the topping.
The Best Apples for Baked Apples
The best apples for baking are firm, crisp, and tart varieties such as Rome Beauty, Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Jonagold, Pink Lady, Golden Delicious, and Braeburn apples. Opt for larger, firm apples to ensure they stand upright and can hold more delicious filling.
Pro Tip: Choose round, firm, larger-sized apples. This way they’ll stand upright and you can stuff them with even more delicious filling.
