Vanilla Almond Baked Apples (Printable Version)
Soft baked apples filled with vanilla almond blend and warm spices
# Ingredient List:
→ Apples
01 - 4 large baking apples (such as Honeycrisp or Granny Smith), cored
→ Filling
02 - 1/4 cup sliced almonds
03 - 2 tablespoons brown sugar
04 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
05 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
06 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
07 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
08 - Pinch of salt
→ For Baking
09 - 1/2 cup apple juice or water
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F.
02 - Wash and core the apples, leaving the bottoms intact to hold the filling. Place them upright in a small baking dish.
03 - In a mixing bowl, combine sliced almonds, brown sugar, softened butter, cinnamon, honey (or maple syrup), vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Mix until well blended.
04 - Spoon the almond-vanilla filling evenly into the hollowed centers of each apple, pressing down gently.
05 - Pour apple juice or water into the bottom of the baking dish to prevent sticking and add moisture.
06 - Bake for 30 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the filling is golden and bubbling.
07 - Let cool slightly before serving. Serve warm, optionally topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or Greek yogurt.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- These baked apples taste like grandmother's kitchen meets a French patisserie, but they come together in minutes
- The tender, fragrant fruit makes you feel like you've made something special without any real effort
02 -
- Leaving the apple bottoms intact is crucial, otherwise your precious filling will melt right out onto the baking dish
- Check your apples after 25 minutes since some ovens run hot and you want them tender, not mushy
03 -
- If your apples are wobbling in the dish, slice a tiny bit off the bottom to create a flat base
- The liquid left in the baking pan makes the most incredible syrup, do not throw it away