Name: Baked Apples Recipe: Warm, Spiced, Cozy Perfection
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 6 large baking apples; ½ cup rolled oats; ½ cup chopped nuts; ⅓ cup brown sugar; 1 tsp cinnamon; 4 tbsp butter (cubed); ¾ cup apple cider

Introduction

Table of Contents

Baked Apples are fall comfort at its simplest: whole apples stuffed with cinnamon-sugar oats and nuts, baked until tender and bubbly with caramelized juices. Zero fuss, one pan, and your kitchen smells like pure autumn magic. Presented in a white ceramic baking dish with a scoop of vanilla ice cream melting over the top, optionally garnished with extra nuts and a drizzle of caramel, these Baked Apples offer soft, spiced fruit and crunchy topping that make dessert (or breakfast) feel like a hug.

Ingredients

For the Baked Apples (serves 4–6): • 6 large baking apples (Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Jonagold)
• ½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
• ⅓ cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• ¼ tsp kosher salt
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter, cubed (cold)
• ¾ cup apple cider, juice, or water

For Serving: • Vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or caramel sauce

Step-by-Step Process

Preheat
Preheat oven to 375°F.
Core the apples
Wash apples. Use a melon baller or paring knife to core, leaving the bottom intact (create a 1½-inch wide cavity). Peel the top third of each apple (optional for a pretty look).
Make filling
Mix oats, nuts, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Add cubed butter and rub it in with your fingers until the mixture is crumbly.
Stuff apples
Pack filling tightly into each cavity, mounding on top.
Add liquid
Place apples in a baking dish. Pour cider/juice around (not over) apples.
Bake
Bake for 40–50 minutes, until the apples are tender but still hold their shape (baste them once halfway through). Larger apples take longer.
Serve
Spoon pan juices over apples. Serve warm with ice cream.

Tips for Perfect Baked Apples

• Choose firm baking apples—they hold shape
• Don’t overfill—filling expands
• Baste with pan juices—keeps moist and adds flavor
• Test doneness with skewer—should slide in easily
• Make ahead—reheat 15 minutes at 350°F
• Double filling if you love a crunchy topping

Variations and Customization

• Classic Raisin: add ½ cup raisins to filling
• Cranberry Orange: add dried cranberries + orange zest
• Boozy: splash bourbon or rum in the pan liquid
• Gluten-Free: use GF oats
• Vegan: use coconut oil + serve with coconut ice cream
• Streusel Deluxe: double butter + add flour for crumble

Storage and Serving Tips

• Keep 3–4 days in fridge—flavor improves
• Reheat 350°F 15 minutes or microwave 1–2 minutes
• Freeze baked apples up to 3 months (thaw overnight)
• Quick refresh: warm + fresh ice cream
• Serve for dessert, breakfast, or brunch
• Perfect with coffee or hot cider

Nutritional Information

Based on 6 servings:
• Calories: 340 kcal
• Total Fat: 16g (Saturated 6g)
• Carbohydrates: 52g (Fiber 6g, Sugars 38g)

FAQ

1. What are the best apples for baking?
Honeycrisp (sweet), Granny Smith (tart), Jonagold (balanced).

2. My apples collapsed—what happened?
Overbaked or too soft variety. Check earlier next time.

3. Can I make ahead?
Yes—bake day before, reheat gently.

4. No oats—what can I use?
Crushed graham crackers or more nuts.

5. Vegan version?
Use coconut oil + vegan butter substitute.

Conclusion

These Baked Apples are pure autumn simplicity—warm, spiced, and so comforting you’ll want to make them weekly from September to January. One dish in the oven and suddenly the house feels cozier, dessert feels special, and everyone lingers at the table spooning up the last caramelized juices. Keep good apples on the counter and oats in the pantry, and you’re always 45 minutes away from the easiest, most soul-warming dessert that makes ordinary nights feel like holidays.