Baked Apples with Walnuts and Honey
A comforting and naturally sweet dessert, these baked apples are cored and filled with a mixture of crunchy walnuts, warm cinnamon, and sweet honey. Baked until tender, they offer a delightful balance of textures and flavors, perfect for a cozy evening.
🧂 Ingredients
- 4 medium Baking apples(such as Honeycrisp or Gala)
- 2 tbsp Butter(unsalted, softened)
- 2 tbsp Brown sugar
- 0.5 tsp Cinnamon(ground)
- 0.5 tsp Apple pie spice
- 0.5 cup Walnuts(chopped, plus extra for topping)
- 0.25 cup Raisins(or dried cranberries)
- 2 tbsp Honey(for drizzling)
- 0.5 cup Water or apple cider(for baking dish)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Butter a baking dish.
- 2
Core the apples about 3/4ths of the way through, without cutting all the way through the bottom. If apples aren't level, shave a bit off the bottom to make them stand straight.
- 3
In a bowl, combine softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, apple pie spice, chopped walnuts, and raisins. Mix until smooth.
- 4
Stuff the cored apples with the walnut mixture.
- 5
Place the stuffed apples in the prepared baking dish. Drizzle generously with honey.
- 6
Pour water or apple cider into the bottom of the baking dish. Cover tightly with foil.
- 7
Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until apples are tender when pierced with a fork. Baste occasionally with pan juices.
- 8
Remove foil for the last 10-15 minutes of baking if you desire a slightly caramelized top. Serve warm, with extra chopped walnuts and a drizzle of honey if desired.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Choose firm apples that hold their shape when baked, such as Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji.
- ✓If you don't have apple pie spice, you can combine cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
- ✓For a richer flavor, add a tablespoon of maple syrup to the filling.
- ✓Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently in the oven.
🔄 Variations
- Add a tablespoon of dried cranberries or chopped dates to the filling.
- For an adult version, add a splash of rum or brandy to the filling mixture.
- Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.