Baked Apples

Classic baked apples are an easy, comforting dessert.

By
Elise Bauer
Elise Bauer
Elise Bauer
Elise founded Simply Recipes in 2003 and led the site until 2019. She has an MA in Food Research from Stanford University.
Learn about Simply Recipes' Editorial Process
Updated August 29, 2023
Elise Bauer
Two baked apples with their tops cut off and stuffed

Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer

I was in New England a few weeks ago, at the height of apple picking season. I'm guessing they're all down now, but our apples here in Northern California are at their peak. There are so many great varieties in the market to choose from!

Our Favorite Baked Apples Recipe

We first posted this recipe in 2006, during another trip east to visit my goddaughter and her family. A gang of us went apple picking and came home with so many we spent a week cooking them into pies, crisps, and these fabulous baked apples.

A large bowl full of Rome Beauty Apples

Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer

The Best Apples for Baked Apples

The girls and I used Rome Beauties, a variety of apple that is particularly well suited for baking this way. We based our recipe on one from the Joy of Cooking, with butter and brown sugar, and we fancied it up a bit with chopped pecans and raisins.

Growing up we always had baked apples served with a generous portion of vanilla ice cream, a combination I highly recommend.

Best Apples for Baking

For more information on which apple varieties are best for baking, check out our Guide to Apples.

A baking dish containing four baked apples

Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer

The Best Apple Varieties for Baking

  • Granny Smith (green and tart)
  • Rome Beauty (red, mildly sweet and tart)
  • Honeycrisp
  • Braeburn (firm and spicy sweet)
  • Jonagold and Jonathans
  • Pink Lady
  • Melrose (cross between a Jonathan and a Red Delicious)
  • Winesap (spicy tart and thick skinned)
  • Golden Delicious (yellow, sweet, soft, and thin skinned)
  • Corland (related to the McIntosh, crisp and slightly tart)
  • Gala (mellow and sweet, use less sugar with these)

Variations on Baked Apples

  • Use dairy-free butter to make them vegan.
  • Vary the spices, like using pumpkin pie spice instead.
  • Try nutmeg, clove, or a sprinkle of cayenne for a little heat.
  • Add dried cherries or cranberries in place of the raisins.
  • Use other nuts, like walnuts or hazelnuts.

How to Make Baked Apples in the Microwave

If you're short on time, you can "bake" your apples in the microwave. Prep the apples as the recipe instructs. Put them in a deep, microwave-safe casserole with a cover. Microwave for 4 minutes and check on the apples. When they are ready, they'll be tender and a little slouchy, but not mushy. You may need to microwave them for a total of 10 minutes, depending on the size and variety of apples, as well as the wattage of your microwave.

More Easy Apple Dessert Recipes

From the Editors Of Simply Recipes

Baked Apples

Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 35 mins
Total Time 50 mins
Servings 4 servings

"Rome Beauty" is the variety of apple that is best suited to baking, and is worth seeking out if you are making baked apples.

Ingredients

  • 4 large good baking apples, such as Rome Beauty, Golden Delicious, or Jonagold

  • 1/4 cup brown sugar

  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon

  • 1/4 cup chopped pecans, optional

  • 1/4 cup currants or chopped raisins

  • 1 tablespoon butter

  • 3/4 cup boiling water

Method

  1. Preheat your oven:

    Set your oven to 375°F (190°C).

  2. Cut out holes in apples for stuffing:

    Rinse and dry the apples. Using a sharp paring knife or an apple corer, cut out the cores, leaving the bottom 1/2 inch of the apples intact.

    Holes being cut out of the top of apples for stuffing

    Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer
    Apple insides being scooped out with a spoon to make room for stuffing

    Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer

    If using a paring knife, first cut out the stem area and then use a small metal spoon to scoop out the seeds. Cut the holes so that they are an inch or so wide.

  3. Stuff apples, then, dot with butter:

    Place the brown sugar, cinnamon, currants or chopped raisins, and chopped pecans (if using) in a small bowl and stir to combine.

    Put the apples in a baking dish and stuff each apple with the sugar stuffing mixture. Place a dot of butter (a quarter of the tablespoon called for in the ingredient list) on top of the sugar.

    Looking into a hollowed out apple ready to be stuffed

    Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer
    Four hollowed out apple stuffed with a sugar stuffing mixture and topped with a cut of butter, resting in a baking dish

    Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer
  4. Bake until tender:

    Pour the boiling water into the bottom of the baking dish. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 30 to 45 minutes, until the apples are cooked through and tender, but not overcooked and mushy.

    When done, remove the apples from the oven and baste them with the juices from the pan.

    Terrific with a side of vanilla ice cream.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
191 Calories
3g Fat
44g Carbs
1g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 191
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 3g 4%
Saturated Fat 2g 9%
Cholesterol 8mg 3%
Sodium 30mg 1%
Total Carbohydrate 44g 16%
Dietary Fiber 5g 19%
Total Sugars 36g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 9mg 44%
Calcium 37mg 3%
Iron 1mg 4%
Potassium 294mg 6%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.