Baked Molasses Caramelized Apple (Printable Version)

Tender baked apples caramelized with molasses, spices, and a creamy tahini drizzle.

# Ingredient List:

→ Apples

01 - 4 medium apples (Honeycrisp or Gala), cored and halved

→ Caramelization

02 - 3 tbsp unsulphured molasses
03 - 2 tbsp coconut sugar (or brown sugar)
04 - 2 tbsp coconut oil, melted (or vegan butter)
05 - 1 tsp ground cinnamon
06 - 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
07 - Pinch of sea salt

→ Tahini Drizzle

08 - 3 tbsp tahini (well-stirred)
09 - 1 tbsp maple syrup
10 - 1-2 tbsp warm water (to thin as needed)
11 - 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a baking dish with parchment paper or lightly grease it with coconut oil.
02 - Place the apple halves cut side up in the prepared baking dish, spacing them evenly for consistent cooking.
03 - Whisk together molasses, coconut sugar, melted coconut oil, cinnamon, nutmeg, and sea salt in a small bowl until fully combined.
04 - Spoon the molasses mixture evenly over each apple half, ensuring complete coverage for proper caramelization.
05 - Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 25 minutes to begin softening the apples.
06 - Remove the foil and continue baking for 10 minutes until apples are tender and edges are caramelized and golden brown.
07 - While apples finish baking, whisk tahini, maple syrup, vanilla, and warm water until smooth and pourable.
08 - Transfer baked apples to serving plates and drizzle generously with tahini sauce. Serve immediately while warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The molasses creates these incredible caramelized edges that taste like they took hours to achieve
  • Tahini adds this sophisticated savory note that keeps it from being cloyingly sweet
  • Its one of those desserts that feels fancy but comes together in about ten minutes of active work
02 -
  • The tahini sauce might look curdled at first but keep whisking and it will emulsify into silky perfection
  • Check your apples after the foil is removed because molasses goes from perfect to burned quickly
03 -
  • Room temperature apples bake more evenly than cold ones straight from the fridge
  • Line your baking dish even if it seems nonstick because molasses sticks to everything

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