Cinnamon Maple Baked Apples
Cinnamon Maple Baked Apples are the perfect cozy fall dessert! Warm, tender apples are filled with cinnamon, nutmeg, and rich maple syrup, then baked until soft and caramelized. The best part? They’re naturally sweetened and incredibly easy to make! Serve with vanilla ice cream, yogurt, or a sprinkle of granola for a comforting treat.
Calories: 210kcal
Ingredients
- For the Baked Apples:
- 4 large apples Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Granny Smith
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg optional
- ¼ cup chopped pecans or walnuts optional
- ¼ cup raisins or dried cranberries optional
- For Serving Optional:
- Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream
- Extra maple syrup for drizzling
- Granola for crunch
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a baking dish.
- Prepare the apples: Using an apple corer or paring knife, remove the core from each apple, leaving about ½ inch of the bottom intact to hold the filling.
- Make the filling: In a small bowl, mix together maple syrup, melted butter, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and nutmeg (if using). Stir in nuts or dried fruit if desired.
- Fill the apples: Place apples in the baking dish and spoon the cinnamon maple mixture evenly into the hollowed centers.
- Add moisture: Pour ½ cup of water into the bottom of the baking dish to create steam and keep the apples tender. Cover loosely with foil.
- Bake: Bake for 30 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes, until the apples are soft and caramelized.
- Serve warm: Drizzle with extra maple syrup and serve with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or granola for added texture.
Notes
- Use firm apples like Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Granny Smith to prevent them from becoming mushy.
- For extra flavor, sprinkle a pinch of ground cloves or allspice into the filling.
- If you don’t have maple syrup, honey makes a great substitute.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days and reheat before serving.
- Try this recipe with pears for a fun variation!