Simple Baked Cinnamon Apples

Simple baked apples are a classic American comfort dessert rooted in thrifty home cooking. Cored fruit is filled with cinnamon-spiced butter and brown sugar, then roasted until soft and caramelized.

Serves 4 · 10 min prep · 45 min cook

Estimate for one serving

• 215 cal
• 1g protein
• 38g carbs
• 9g fat
• 3g fiber

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Ingredients

• 4 large baking apples (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith)
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1/3 cup water
• 1 pinch of kosher salt
• 1/4 cup chopped toasted pecans (optional)

Instructions

1. 1Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease an 8-inch square baking dish. Rinse the apples, then core each one carefully, leaving the bottom intact so the cavity holds the filling.
2. 2In a small bowl, mash the softened butter with the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, lemon juice, and salt until a crumbly paste forms.
3. 3Spoon the spiced butter mixture evenly into the hollow centers of the apples, packing it gently so it stays put.
4. 4Stand the filled apples upright in the prepared dish and pour the water the base to create steam.
5. 5Cover the dish loosely with foil and bake for 25 minutes until the apples begin to soften and release juices.
6. 6Remove the foil, baste the apples with the pan juices, and continue baking uncovered for another 15 to 20 minutes until the flesh is tender when pierced with a knife and the tops look caramelized.
7. 7Let the apples rest in the dish for 5 minutes so the syrup thickens slightly.
8. 8Spoon extra pan juices over each apple, sprinkle with toasted pecans if using, and serve warm as a simple fruit dessert.