The ultimate fall dessert, baked apples are stuffed with walnuts and spices then baked in apple cider until soft and sweet. Serve with vanilla ice cream to make a la mode!
Can you tell I’m ready for fall? What can I say, fall in Michigan is pretty perfect. The leaves change colors, the temps are cool enough to wear a sweater but warm enough not to need a winter coat, and it’s the kickoff of apple season!
Every year we go apple picking at one of the countless orchards within just 10-30 miles of our house.
As a result I’m always coming up with new apple recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert. Fortunately, I’m not a huge fan of fruit pies so it is easy for me to find healthier apple desserts like this baked apple recipe that won’t go right to the waistline.
Of course, I wish I could say I served this dish to my mom without her asking “Where is the crust?” but a few scoops of ice cream kept her quiet.
My favorite part of this dish is the sauce that forms at the bottom of the pan while baking. The velvety spiced cider sauce becomes creamy and thick when the butter melts and the apples bake.
No, it’s not a buttery pie crust but you get to eat a warm and cozy Fall dessert in the middle of the week and I promise your skinny jeans will fit come Friday.
Looking for other apple inspired recipes, check out my 50+ Healthy Apple Recipes For Any Occasion post!
What apples are perfect for baking?
- Any apple types except for grannysmith apples. Personally Gala are my favorite
Your spoon is waiting.
Cinnamon Baked Apples with Walnuts and Spices
Ingredients
- 4 large apples (cored – any type except Grannysmith which do not bake well)
- 4 teaspoons unsalted butter (cut in tiny cubes)
- ¼ cup walnuts (chopped)
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- brown sugar to taste
- ½ cup apple cider
- vanilla ice cream (optional, to serve)
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
- Core apples with small knife or apple corer and place in large glass baking dish.
- In a small bowl, combine butter, walnuts, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and sweetener of choice. (Stevia is my calorie free favorite but feel free to use brown sugar if you wish.)
- Stuff apples with equal parts of the butter and walnut mixture.
- Pour apple cider in the bottom of the pan to prevent burning and place in oven.
- Bake for 45-60 minutes or until apples are tender, basting with pan liquid every 15 minutes.
- Serve with apple cider cooking liquid drizzled on top. Tastes even better a la mode.
Nutrition
Want more delicious dessert recipes? Check out my Pinterest board!