BAKED APPLES WITH CINNAMON
Baked Apples with Cinnamon is a delicious and healthy dessert that combines the natural sweetness of apples with the warmth of cinnamon and honey. This dish is perfect for satisfying a sweet tooth without spoiling excessively. The raisins and chopped walnuts add a lovely texture contrast, making it a delightful and nutritious treat. This simple dessert can be ideal for autumn and winter as a healthy snack or light dessert after a meal. This recipe is quick and easy to prepare with just a few ingredients, but it feels spoilt with its warm, aromatic flavours.
RECIPE CATEGORY
Dessert, Snack
SERVING SIZE
1 serving
CUISINE
American, Mediterranean
PREPARATION/TECHNIQUES
Bake, Quick & Easy, Simple Prep
OCCASION/HOLIDAY
Fall, Thanksgiving, Winter, Christmas, Potluck, Family Gathering, Halloween, Anniversaries, Birthdays
SPECIAL CONSIDERATION/DIETARY CONCERNS
Vegetarian, Healthy, High Fibre, Kid-Friendly, Low Fat, Gluten-Free, Quick & Easy
DISH TYPE
Dessert, Snack, Light Dessert, Appetiser
INGREDIENTS
There are the following ingredients of baked apples with cinnamon;
- 1 small apple, cored
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp honey
- ½ tbsp raisins
- 1 tbsp chopped walnuts
FULL NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Protein: 2g
- Fat: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Fibre: 3g
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 2mg
PREPARATION
- Preheat The Oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) during preparation. This ensures the apple bakes evenly and develops a soft, tender texture.
- Core The Apple: Carefully core the apple, leaving the bottom intact to hold the filling. This allows even cooking and creates space for the raisins and walnuts to fill them.
- Prepare The Filling: In a small bowl, mix the cinnamon, raisins, and chopped walnuts. The cinnamon adds warmth and flavour, the raisins bring sweetness, and the walnuts provide crunch.
- Filling The Apple: Fill the peeled apple with the cinnamon-raisin-walnut mixture. Make sure to pack the filling tightly into the cavity to ensure an even distribution of flavours.
- Drizzle With Honey: Drizzle the honey over the top of the apple and into the filling. The honey will caramelise during baking, adding a rich sweetness that complements the tartness of the apple.
- Bake The Apple: Place the filled apple in a small oven-safe dish and bake for 25-30 minutes until the apple is tender and the filling is golden brown. The apple should be soft but still retain its shape.
- Serve Warm: After baking, remove the apple from the oven and let it cool slightly. Serve warm for the best flavour and texture, garnished with extra cinnamon or a dollop of Greek yoghurt if desired.
PREP TIME
5 minutes
COOKING TIME
25-30 minutes
TIPS
These tips should be followed for a better taste of Baked Apples with Cinnamon:
- Choose The Right Apple: Firm apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp or Pink Lady work best for baking, as they hold their shape and provide a good balance of tartness and sweetness.
- Add A Touch Of Spice: For an extra kick, add a pinch of nutmeg or ginger to the cinnamon mixture. These spices pair well with the sweetness of the apple.
- Experiment With Toppings: Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a spoonful of Greek yoghurt for added creaminess and balance to the warmth of the baked apple.
- Prevent Burning: If the apple turns brown too quickly from the outside before it becomes tender on the inside, cover it loosely with aluminium foil during baking.
VARIATIONS
- Nut-Free Option: Substitute the walnuts with sunflower seeds or leave the nuts for a nut-free version.
- Vegan Variation: Swap honey for maple syrup or agave nectar to make the dish vegan-friendly without sacrificing sweetness.
- Add Dried Fruits: Add dried fruits like cranberries or chopped apricots into the filling for more flavour and texture variety.
- Use Different Nuts: Try pecans or almonds instead of walnuts for a different crunch and flavour profile.
- Boost The Spice: For a spicier version, add ground cloves or cardamom to the cinnamon mixture for a more aromatic touch.
PREPPING AND STORAGE
- Refrigeration: If you have leftovers, store the baked apple in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.
- Freezing: Although it is not ideal to freeze baked apples due to texture changes, you can freeze the unbaked stuffed apples. When ready to serve, thaw and bake as directed.
- Preparation of meal: Prepare the apples by coring and stuffing them, then store them in the fridge until you’re ready to bake. This saves time and allows you to have a healthy dessert on hand.