Soft, warm baked apples filled with cinnamon, pecans, and raisins.
This easy baked apples recipe is cozy, comforting, and perfect with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
There’s something incredibly comforting about a pan of warm baked apples coming out of the oven. The apples soften until they’re tender and juicy, while the filling turns buttery, nutty, and fragrant with cinnamon.
This baked apples recipe is simple but incredibly satisfying. Each apple is filled with a mixture of brown sugar, pecans, raisins, cinnamon, and citrus zest, then baked in a light citrusy sauce that keeps everything moist and flavorful.
I used Granny Smith apples because their slight tartness balances the sweetness beautifully, but you can use any apples you like. The result is a dessert that feels both fresh and cozy at the same time. Warm, soft apples with a rich cinnamon filling and a spoonful of syrupy sauce from the pan are hard to resist.
Serve these baked apples warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a little extra citrus zest on top.
Why You’ll Love This Baked Apples Recipe
- Naturally cozy and comforting
Soft baked apples with cinnamon, butter, and brown sugar are the definition of a warm dessert. - Simple ingredients
This baked apples recipe uses everyday ingredients like apples, nuts, raisins, and spices. - Perfect balance of sweet and fresh
The tartness of the apples and citrus keeps the dessert from feeling heavy. - Easy baked apples anyone can make
Once the apples are filled, the oven does all the work. - Great for fall and winter desserts
Baked apples with cinnamon are classic comfort food that never goes out of style.
YouTube Video
Watch how to make these baked apples step-by-step in the video below.Don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel, and follow on Instagram so you don’t miss anything!
Ingredients for Baked Apples
6 apples (Granny Smith work especially well)
¼ cup brown sugar (50 g)
½ cup roughly chopped pecans (60 g)
⅓ cup raisins (50 g)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
pinch of salt
60 g butter
zest of 1 tangerine or orange
½ cup tangerine juice
1 cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla paste
Flavor Variations
- This baked apples recipe is very flexible.
- You can replace the raisins with dates, dried cherries, or chopped apricots.
- The nuts can be walnuts, almonds, cashews, or a mixture.
- Instead of cinnamon, you can use pumpkin spice, nutmeg, or cardamom.
- For the citrus flavor, you can use orange, tangerine, or lemon zest.
- The sauce can also be apple juice instead of citrus juice if you want a more classic baked apple flavor.
How to Make Baked Apples
Time needed: 1 hour
- Prepare the apples
Using an apple corer or a melon baller, carefully remove the core of each apple without cutting all the way through the bottom. You want to create a cavity for the filling while keeping the base intact.
- Make the filling
In a bowl, mix the brown sugar, chopped pecans, raisins, cinnamon, salt, citrus zest, and vanilla.
- Fill the apples
Place the apples in a baking dish and fill each one with the prepared mixture, packing it gently so it reaches the top.
- Add the butter
Place a small chunk of butter (about 10 g) on top of each apple.
- Prepare the sauce
Pour the water and tangerine juice into the bottom of the baking dish. You can also spoon a little of the liquid into each apple. The liquid helps create steam while baking and forms a light sauce.
- Bake
Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 35–45 minutes, or until the apples are soft when pierced with a skewer.
Depending on the size and variety of apples, baking can take 10–15 minutes longer or more.
If the filling begins to brown too quickly, loosely cover the dish with parchment paper and continue baking. - Serve
Serve warm with some of the syrupy sauce from the pan and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Tips for the Best Baked Apples
- Choose apples that hold their shape
Granny Smith apples are great for baked apples because they stay intact while becoming tender. - Don’t core the apples all the way through
Keeping the base intact prevents the filling and juices from leaking out. - Use the sauce from the pan
The mixture of citrus juice, butter, and apple juices creates a delicious syrup. - Cover loosely if the filling browns too fast
A sheet of parchment placed loosely on top prevents the nuts and raisins from burning.
Storage and Reheating
Store leftover baked apples in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat, place the apples in a small baking dish and warm them in a 160°C oven for about 10–15 minutes, or microwave them gently until heated through.
Spoon some of the sauce from the pan over the apples before serving to keep them moist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Granny Smith apples are excellent for baked apples because they hold their shape and their tart flavor balances the sweetness of the filling.
Yes. You can replace the raisins with chopped dates, dried cherries, dried apricots, or simply leave them out.
The apples are ready when a skewer or knife slides easily into the flesh but the apple still holds its shape.
Yes. Baked apples reheat very well and can be warmed in the oven before serving.
They can be frozen, but the texture becomes softer after thawing. They are best enjoyed fresh or refrigerated.
More Sweet Breakfast Ideas
If you enjoyed these baked apples, here are a few more sweet breakfast recipes that are simple, cozy, and perfect for slow mornings:
• Try these soft and naturally sweet banana oat pancakes for an easy, wholesome breakfast.
• A warm bowl of oatmeal recipe is another comforting option that pairs beautifully with fruit like baked apples.
• These golden cheese fritters are lightly sweet, soft inside, and perfect with jam or fresh fruit.
• If you love cozy baked desserts, you might also enjoy this blueberry bread pudding.
• Or make a batch of crunchy simple granola recipe to sprinkle over yogurt or fruit.
Baked Apples
Ingredients
- 6 apples (Granny Smith or any apples you like)
- ¼ cup brown sugar (50 g)
- ½ cup roughly chopped pecans (60 g)
- ⅓ cup raisins (50 g)
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- pinch of salt
- Zest of 1 tangerine or orange
- 1 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla paste
- 60 g butter
- ½ cup tangerine juice
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Using an apple corer or melon baller, carefully remove the core of each apple without cutting all the way through the bottom so the filling stays inside.
- In a bowl, mix the brown sugar, chopped pecans, raisins, cinnamon, salt, citrus zest, and vanilla.
- Place the apples in a baking dish and fill each apple with the mixture, packing it gently to the top.
- Place a small chunk of butter (about 10 g) on top of each apple.
- Pour 1 cup water and 1/2 cup tangerine juice into the bottom of the baking dish. You can also spoon a little liquid inside each apple.
- Bake for 35–45 minutes, or until the apples are soft when pierced with a wooden skewer (can take longer depending on apple type and size).If the filling begins to brown too quickly, loosely cover the dish with parchment paper and continue baking.
- Serve warm with the sauce from the pan, vanilla ice cream, and extra citrus zest if you like.
Notes
