Baked Apples with Cinnamon, Oats, and Brown Sugar Recipe
This classic baked apples recipe offers a warm, comforting dessert featuring tender apples filled with a delicious mixture of butter, brown sugar, spices, oats, and optional dried fruits or nuts. Perfectly baked to soft perfection and served with your favorite toppings, it’s an easy and wholesome treat for any season.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- 3 Tablespoons (43g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1/4 cup (50g) packed light or dark brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 cup (21g) old-fashioned whole rolled oats
- Optional: 2 Tablespoons raisins, dried cranberries, or chopped nuts
Apples and Liquid
- 4 large apples, rinsed and patted dry
- 3/4 cup (180ml) warm water
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (191°C) to ensure it’s ready to bake the apples evenly.
- Prepare Filling: Using a mixer or utensil, blend the softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well combined and smooth. Stir in the rolled oats and any optional dried fruits or nuts, mixing thoroughly to distribute the ingredients.
- Core the Apples: With a sharp paring knife, cut around the apple core about halfway or three-quarters down, then use a spoon to carefully hollow out the core and seeds without breaking the apple. This step requires patience and gentle arm strength. An apple corer can be used if preferred.
- Fill the Apples: Place the cored apples upright in an 8-inch or 9-inch baking dish. Spoon the oat and spice filling into each apple cavity, packing the filling to the top for maximum flavor.
- Add Water and Bake: Pour warm water into the baking dish around the apples. This moisture prevents the apples from drying out during baking. Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the apples are tender to your liking. For softer, more mushy apples, bake a bit longer based on apple firmness and preference.
- Baste (Optional): Once baked, carefully remove the apples from the oven. You may baste the apple skins with the pan juices to add extra moisture and glaze, though this is optional.
- Serve: Serve the baked apples warm, complemented by salted caramel, whipped cream, or ice cream for an indulgent finish. Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Notes
- Use firm apples such as Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Granny Smith for best results—they hold shape well during baking.
- If you prefer a crunchier texture, reduce the baking time slightly.
- Optional mix-ins like nuts and dried fruits add texture and flavor but can be omitted for a simpler version.
- Cover the baking dish loosely with foil if you want softer apples while baking.
- Allow baked apples to cool slightly before serving to avoid burns from hot filling.
Keywords: baked apples, apple dessert, healthy dessert, fall dessert, cinnamon apples, oat filling
