Baked Cinnamon Apples
There’s nothing better than the smell of baked cinnamon apples filling your home! This dessert is like a warm hug on a chilly day. I make these super simple baked cinnamon apples all the time because they’re so easy and taste incredible.
We’re talking tender, juicy apples swimming in a buttery, brown sugar-cinnamon sauce. They are the perfect treat for a cozy evening or holiday gathering…..And everyone always asks for the recipe. You can enjoy them plain or with some ice cream. YUM!
Why You’ll Love Baked Cinnamon Apples
You are going to fall in love with this recipe because it’s so simple, cozy, and delicious.
- A Lighter Sweet Treat: It feels indulgent but is a wonderfully light and fruity dessert.
- Only 5 Ingredients: You probably have everything you need in your kitchen right now!
- Smells Like Fall: Your whole house will smell warm, spicy, and absolutely amazing.
- Super Quick: You can have this yummy dessert ready to go in just over 30 minutes.
- Versatile Serving Options: Great on its own, with ice cream, or even spooned over your morning oatmeal.
If you’re craving even more apple goodness, you have to try my Apple Blueberry Crumble or these amazing Cinnamon Apple Cookies. They’re both crowd-pleasers!
Ingredients You’ll Need
You just need a few simple things for this recipe. You can find the exact amounts on the recipe card at the bottom!
- Apples: Grab some apples and peel, core, and slice them up. I think tart apples work best for that perfect sweet-tart taste.
- Brown Sugar: This gives the sauce that rich, caramel-like sweetness that we all love.
- Ground Cinnamon: You can’t have baked apples without this warm and cozy spice. It’s the star of the show!
- Lemon Juice: A little squeeze of lemon juice keeps the apples from turning brown and adds a nice, bright flavor.
- Salted Butter: I use salted butter because it adds a wonderful richness and depth to the flavor.
How to Make Baked Cinnamon Apples?
Okay, let’s get baking! I promise this is so easy, and you’re just a few steps away from a delicious treat.
Step 1: Get Your Oven Ready
First things first, get your oven heating up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Give your 2-quart baking dish or 9×9-inch baking pan a quick spray with non-stick spray and set it aside.
Step 2: Mix Everything
In a large bowl, toss your 6 cups of peeled and cored apple slices with ⅓ cup of packed brown sugar, 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon, and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice.
Step 3: Coat Those Apples
Gently mix everything together with your hands or a spatula. You want to make sure every single apple slice is coated in that sugary goodness.
Step 4: Time to Bake!
Pour the coated apples into your baking dish. Cut ¼ cup of salted butter into small cubes and dot them over the top. Bake for 20-25 minutes, giving them a quick stir about halfway through.
Tips for the Best Baked Cinnamon Apples
Want to make the absolute best baked apples? Here are a few little secrets to help you get them perfect every time.
- Pick Good Apples: Go for firm apples that won’t turn to mush, like Granny Smith, Braeburn, or Honeycrisp.
- Slice Them Evenly: Try to cut your apple slices about the same thickness so they all cook at the same time.
- Don’t forget to stir: Giving them a quick stir halfway through baking helps them cook evenly and get extra saucy.
- Serve Them Warm: These apples are truly at their best when they are warm and gooey right out of the oven.
- Add a Topping: A big scoop of vanilla ice cream or some whipped cream makes this dessert next-level delicious.
Variations and Substitutions
Ready to play with your food? Here are some fun ways to mix things up and make this recipe your own.
- Add More Spices: Throw in a little nutmeg or a pinch of allspice to make it even cozier.
- Try Other Sweeteners: You can swap the brown sugar for maple syrup or honey for a different kind of sweetness.
- Toss in Some Nuts: For a nice crunch, add a handful of chopped pecans or walnuts before you bake.
- Mix in Dried Fruit: A few raisins or dried cranberries add a great chewy texture and extra sweetness.
- A Splash of Vanilla: A little bit of vanilla extract mixed in with the apples adds a lovely, warm flavor.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
You can totally make these ahead of time! Just bake them as directed and store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. You can also get the apple mixture ready the night before and just pop it in the oven when you’re ready.
Leftovers will keep in the fridge for up to five days. When you want to eat them, just warm them up in the oven at 350°F for about 15 minutes or zap them in the microwave.
Recipe FAQs
What are the best apples for baking?
I love using firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp because they don’t get mushy.
Can I make this recipe on the stovetop?
You bet! For a quicker version, sauté the apples in a pan with butter over medium heat.
Can I prepare baked apples in a slow cooker?
For sure! Just toss everything in and cook on low for about 2 hours until the apples are tender.
How do I prevent the apples from getting mushy?
The trick is to use firm apples and not to overbake them. Stirring them halfway through helps too!
Can I use less sugar?
Of course! If you like things a little less sweet, you can cut the brown sugar down to ¼ cup.
Can this recipe be frozen?
Yes, you can freeze the baked apples for up to a month. The texture might change a little, though.
How do I store leftovers?
Just pop any leftovers into an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to five days.
Can I add nuts to this recipe?
Yes! Chopped pecans or walnuts add a great crunch. Just toss them in before baking.
What can I serve with baked apples?
They are amazing with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, yogurt, or even spooned over hot oatmeal.
Can I use other spices?
Go for it! A little nutmeg, some cloves, or a dash of allspice would all taste wonderful.
Baked Cinnamon Apples
Ingredients
- 6 cups peeled and cored apple slices
- ⅓ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ¼ cup cubed salted butter
Instructions
- Get Ready: First, turn your oven on to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, give your 2-quart baking dish or 9×9-inch baking pan a quick spray with non-stick spray so nothing sticks.
- Combine Ingredients: In a big bowl, toss your 6 cups of apple slices with the ⅓ cup of brown sugar, 1 tablespoon of cinnamon, and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice until all the slices are coated.
- Time to Bake: Pour the yummy apple mixture into your pan or bakin dish, dot the top with the ¼ cup of cubed salted butter, and bake for 20-25 minutes. Don't forget to give them a stir halfway through!…..ENJOY!
Notes
- Tart apples like Granny Smith really make this dish pop with flavor.
- Try to slice your apples the same thickness so they all cook evenly.
- A little splash of vanilla extract will make these apples even more delicious.
- You can easily make these a day or two ahead and just reheat them.
- Serve these warm with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream for the perfect treat.
