Baked Apples with Nuts, Dried Fruit, and Spices Recipe
Delight in these warm, comforting baked apples stuffed with a sweet and crunchy mixture of nuts, dried fruit, granola, and aromatic spices. Easy to prepare and perfect as a cozy dessert or a wholesome snack, they bring together natural sweetness and a satisfying texture with minimal effort.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-60 minutes
- Total Time: 60-75 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Apples
- 4–6 large or medium apples
Filling
- 1/3 cup chopped nuts (e.g., pecans, almonds)
- 1/3 cup dried fruit (e.g., blueberries, cranberries)
- 1/3 cup granola
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp allspice
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
Topping
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter (melted or sliced for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the apples evenly.
- Prepare Apples: Wash and dry each apple thoroughly. Carefully core the apples, making sure not to puncture the base so the filling stays inside during baking.
- Mix Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the chopped nuts, dried fruit, granola, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg. Stir until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Stuff Apples: Generously fill each cored apple with the prepared mixture, packing it lightly to create a flavorful center.
- Arrange and Add Water: Place the apples upright in a baking dish. Pour about 3/4 cup of water into the dish to generate steam during baking, which will keep the apples moist.
- Add Butter: Top each filled apple with a slice of unsalted butter to enhance flavor and aid caramelization as it melts.
- Bake: Bake the apples in the preheated oven for 45–60 minutes. Bake until the apples are tender to the touch but still hold their shape and are not mushy.
- Serve: Serve the baked apples warm. They can be enjoyed as they are or paired with yogurt or a sauce of your choice for extra richness.
Notes
- Choose firm apples such as Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Granny Smith for best baking results.
- The baking water prevents the apples from drying out and helps cook them evenly.
- You can substitute the nuts and dried fruits with your preferred varieties for more personalized flavors.
- Adding a dollop of vanilla yogurt or a drizzle of caramel sauce enhances the dessert experience.
- Store leftover baked apples in the fridge and reheat gently before serving.
Keywords: baked apples, stuffed apples, healthy dessert, fall dessert, apple recipe, cinnamon apples, cozy dessert, nutty apples
