Baked apples

I have made stuffed apples many times, especially in autumn or winter, when I find large and fragrant apples. I usually start in the evening when I crave something sweet but not too complicated. What I like is that you don't need special techniques or sophisticated utensils, just some time for them to bake. In the kitchen, the whole job is to carefully peel the apples, fill them, and put them in the oven.

Quick Info

Total time: about 1 hour and 10 minutes
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Baking time: 1 hour
Servings: 8 (one stuffed apple per person, plus extra apple pieces)
Difficulty: easy
Homemade dessert recipe, suitable for snacks or family meals

Ingredients

9 large apples
8 tablespoons sugar
2 packets vanilla sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3 tablespoons coconut
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
8 small slices of butter (one slice for each stuffed apple)
2-3 teaspoons honey
100 ml water

Preparation Method

1. Wash the 9 apples and dry them well. Carefully remove the core from 8 of them, without piercing the bottom of the apples, so that the filling doesn't leak out while baking.

2. In a small bowl, mix the sugar, vanilla sugar, cinnamon, and coconut. Fill each apple with this mixture, pressing gently to fill it to the top.

3. Place the stuffed apples in a heat-resistant dish, as close to each other as possible. Put a thin slice of butter on top of each apple. Drizzle a little honey over them (about half a teaspoon on each apple).

4. If you have leftover filling, scatter it between the apples in the dish. It will help form the sauce while baking.

5. Take the ninth apple, wash it, cut it into pieces (with the skin on), and place them in the empty spaces in the dish, next to the stuffed apples.

6. Pour the 100 ml of water into the bottom of the dish. Place the dish in the preheated oven (medium temperature, about 180°C), for about an hour. Occasionally check to ensure the liquid doesn't completely evaporate.

7. Towards the end of the baking time, when a thicker sauce starts to form in the dish, sprinkle the sesame seeds over the apples and in the sauce.

8. Remove the dish from the oven after an hour or when the apples are well baked. Let them cool for a few minutes before serving.

Why I make this recipe often

It's a quick recipe with simple ingredients that I usually have at home. It doesn't require any special effort and is easy to adapt to what I have in the pantry. The stuffed apples keep well at room temperature for a few hours, so they can be made shortly before the meal.

Tips and Variations

Tips

When removing the core, keep the bottom of the apple intact, otherwise the filling and sauce will leak out.
Choose large, firm apples that won't break apart easily while baking.
If the sauce in the dish reduces too much, you can add a little hot water during baking.

Substitutions

You can use coconut flakes or skip the coconut if you don't like it, but the texture and flavor will change.
Honey can be omitted or replaced with maple syrup, but in a small amount, so it doesn't become too sweet.
You can use another type of sugar (brown, for example) for a more intense flavor.

Variations

Add chopped nuts to the filling mixture for a crunchier texture.
You can add raisins or dried cranberries to the mixture.
Swap the cinnamon for a little cardamom or ground cloves if you want a different flavor.

Serving Ideas

The apples can be eaten warm or cold.
They pair well with simple whipped cream or lightly whipped sour cream.
For a more 'wintery' dessert, you can serve them with a spoonful of cold Greek yogurt or even a small scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What do I do if the apples burst while baking?
It's not a major problem; they just become softer and lose some filling. Next time, try not to remove the core all the way down.

2. Can I use green or tart apples?
Yes, they turn out very well with Granny Smith or another tart variety, especially if you don't want a very sweet dessert.

3. Can they be prepared a day in advance?
Yes, but they are best fresh or on the same day. In the fridge, they can soften a bit, but the taste remains good.

4. How do I know when the apples are done?
The apples should be soft to the fork but not completely falling apart. The sauce in the dish should be slightly thickened.

5. Can I make the recipe without sesame?
Yes, you can skip the sesame if you don't have it or don't like it.

Nutritional Values

Approximately, one stuffed apple (out of 8 servings) has about 180-210 kcal, depending on the size of the apple and how much sugar you use. In total, approximately: 45 g carbohydrates, 2 g protein, 4 g fat per serving. Values vary if you add whipped cream or other toppings. Sugar and butter contribute the most to calories.

Storage and Reheating

Stuffed apples can be stored in the fridge in a covered container for up to 2 days. The taste is good the next day, although the texture softens. They can be reheated in the oven or microwave for a few seconds. If you want them cold, let them sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving. After two days, they are not as good, especially if left uncovered.

 Ingredients: 9 large apples, 8 tablespoons of sugar, 2 packets of vanilla sugar, 2 teaspoons of cinnamon, 3 tablespoons of coconut, 2 tablespoons of sesame, a slice of butter for each apple, honey (2-3 teaspoons), 100 ml of water.

 Tags:  stuffed apples baked apples