Easy Baked Apples Recipe in Oven for The Perfect Dessert

These easy baked apples filled with a sweet, richly-spiced mixture of brown sugar and pecans are a quick and delicious treat.

ULTRA-easy to make with almost no cleanup after and they are DELICIOUS!

Ingredients:

• 4 medium apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
• 1/3 cup pecans (or walnuts/macadamia nuts, optional)
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/3 cup more nuts (optional, depending on apple size)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp butter (optional)
• 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cups water (or apple juice/apple cider for more flavor)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Apples:
   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
   • Core the apples by using a melon baller or a teaspoon to carefully hollow out the center, leaving about 1/2 inch of apple flesh at the bottom to hold the filling. Be sure to remove the seeds and most of the core.
2. Make the Filling:
   • Roughly chop the pecans (or any other nuts you prefer).
   • In a bowl, combine the chopped nuts, brown sugar, freshly grated nutmeg, and cinnamon. Mix well.
3. Stuff the Apples:
   • Stuff each hollowed apple with the nut and sugar mixture. Press it down to ensure it’s packed in tightly.
   • If you have extra nuts, feel free to add them to the top or around the filling.
4. Add Butter & Vanilla:
   • Place a small pat of butter on top of each filled apple (optional).
   • Drizzle a splash of vanilla extract over the apples.
5. Create a Steamy Bake:
   • Place the filled apples in a baking dish. Add 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cups of water (or apple juice/cider) to the bottom of the dish to create a steamy environment while baking. This will help keep the apples moist and juicy.
6. Bake:
   • Cover the dish loosely with foil and bake the apples at 350°F for 50 minutes, or until the apples are tender but not falling apart. You can check halfway through and baste the apples with the juices in the pan for extra moisture.
7. Serve:
   • Once done, remove the apples from the oven and let them cool slightly.
   • Serve the baked apples with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream for a delicious dessert!

Enjoy these warm, spiced, and nutty baked apples that make the perfect cozy treat!