“Fall” in love with this autumn treat: Baked Apples.
When the autumn winds blow, leaves pile up, and an apple-cinnamon aroma comes from the oven in the kitchen, fall is officially here. What’s in the oven? The most apple-y fall treat: baked apples! Humans have been baking apples for centuries, whether over an open campfire, brick oven, potbelly stove, or modern oven.
If you enjoy apple crisp, you will love baked apples—baked apples contain all of the flavors of apple crisp, but the presentation is adorable! Each apple is like an individual serving, and the yummy oatmeal-brown sugar-cinnamon mixture is inside and atop each apple. The dried cranberries and nuts are optional, but they add even more flavor and texture to these beauties.
You will love making baked apples because your kitchen will smell amazing, it’s a sweet treat with natural, simple ingredients, and it can be a gluten-free one as well. Baked apples are a great way to make use of apples from your annual trip to the local orchard or farm stand. Additionally, you can use all of the same variety of apples or mix it up for fun color and taste variety.
Gluten-free check
Most people just assume that rolled oats are always gluten-free, since they are distinct from wheat. In general, they are. However, if you are being stringent about gluten-free eating, always double-check the packaging to make sure they are labeled as gluten-free and processed in a facility that is gluten-free. If not, there is a good chance that oats will be cross-contaminated by other grains processed in the same facility. It’s always worth double-checking the product packaging!
How do I store leftovers?
Let them cool and place them in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3 or 4 days. When ready to serve, you can reheat them in a 350°F oven or in the microwave until warm. Freezing is not recommended, as the apples will become mushy.
Serving suggestions
Serve baked apples while still slightly warm. Spoon a little of the collected juices from the bottom of the baking dish onto each apple when serving. A scoop of Vanilla Bean Ice Cream or Brown Sugar Ice Cream with your baked apple is simply magical. You can spoon warm Sea Salt And Vanilla Bean Caramel Sauce over top if you like as well!
Baked Apples
Ingredients
- 5 tablespoons brown sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 5 tablespoons old-fashioned rolled oats
- 3 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
- 2 tablespoons dried cranberries
- 2 tablespoons chopped nuts such as pecans, walnuts, or almonds (optional)
- 4 medium baking apples such as Honeycrisp or Granny Smith
- 2/3 cup warm water
- Caramel sauce for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and oats. Add the softened butter and mix until well combined. Fold in the dried cranberries and chopped nuts.
- Using a paring knife or an apple corer, remove the cores from the apples, being careful to leave the bottoms intact to hold the filling.
- Place the apples in a baking dish. Fill each apple with the sugar-oat mixture, pressing down slightly to pack it in. Pour the warm water into the bottom of the dish around the apples. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until the apples are tender.
- If using, drizzle caramel sauce over apples. Serve warm.
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