It’s apple harvest time, and our county has some of the best in the world! We enjoy apples fresh from the tree, applesauce, apple muffins, apple cakes and bread. Baked apples are a special treat, and in our home they hold lots of memories of making them together.
Of course, there are so many ways to make baked apples, lots of different fillings and sweeteners. Use whatever nut you like, or omit them. No cranberries? Use raisins, or dried cherries.
The great apple baking test
The kids and I recently baked up a big batch of a dozen different types of apples to see which ones we liked the best, and good old standbys of Fortune, Empire, and Jonathan won hands down. These apples absorbed the flavor of everything else, and yet kept their pronounced apple flavor and shape, both important.
We used just a touch of spice in these; we wanted to keep the apple flavor front and foremost!
Use a firm apple
This is not the recipe for a really soft, sweet apple such as McIntosh and Gala or you will get a pile of applesauce in the oven. You also don’t want yellow or green apples because they become an off color in the baking process, and we need to feast first with our eyes!
A little of this and that, and lots of apple
The cranberries add some tart, the rum and brown sugar a touch of the exotic, and the butter a little mellow. While these are baking your house will smell a little like cinnamon, a little like rum, and a whole lot like pure apple!
If you are not a fan of rum, you can substitute Calvados or another apple brandy, or just use cider.
Cranberry Butter Rum Apples Baked in Cider
- 4 large Fortune, Empire, or Jonathan apples
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped, optional
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup old fashioned oatmeal
- Scant 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
- Few grates fresh nutmeg
- 6 tsp. dark rum
- 4 tsp. butter or vegan butter
- 2/3 cup apple cider
Preheat oven to 375 F.
Wash, and core the apples two-thirds of the way through, leaving the bottom firm. I’ve found the old-fashioned corers with sharp tip and serrated sides work best; I found mine at a flea market for a dollar and have used it for years. I peel the very top of the apple as well so that the skin does not split open when the apple is ready. Place the cored apples in a small baking dish.
Mix together the brown sugar, walnuts, cranberries, oatmeal, cinnamon, nutmeg, and rum.
Divide and stuff into the cavities of the four apples, pressing it down, and mounding on the top if necessary. Since I omit the nuts because of an allergy, and since my apples were really large, mine won’t look as full as yours might.
Dot the tops with butter, and pour the cider into the bottom of the pan.
Cover loosely with foil and bake for about 45 minutes, remove from the oven, remove the foil, and baste them. Give them a look. Are they nearly done? Still quite firm? If they still have a ways to go, put back in the oven, covered, rotating the pan, and check again in 10 minutes. Once you are close to done, a sharp knife inserted has just a little give, put back in the oven uncovered. When ready, the flesh will be softened but still firm, and the skin just wrinkling with a few tiny cracks.
Remove apples gently to their dishes. Pour syrup from the pan over them, and garnish with whipped cream or ice cream if desired.
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This is a fantastic recipe, Dorothy.
that looks delicious!
Thank you so much! A perfect dish for a crisp but beautifully sunny day!
Nothing like celebrating Fall with a delicious baked apple! Sounds so good!
Thank you, they were really tasty!
I can smell the wonderful aroma even from the photos! 🙂
It’s apples all the way!
Your baked apples look and sound delicious! Perfect time of year too!
Thank you! They were pretty tasty!
this sounds so amazing……..and the smell must be wonderful!
The wonderful aromas of an autum household!
Reblogged this on The Purple Almond Wellness Kitchen and commented:
Yum! I’m giving this one a try! 😍
I just smell it Dorothy. Looks so good.
Baked Apples.. Something my mother used to make… I miss the English apples.. Apples here are not quite the same you can’t beat a lovely Bramley 🍏…. Lovely recipe Dorothy
Ah, Bradley, Pippin, Fortune, Empire, the old varieties that have been moved aside!
I know Dorothy but I do believe they are still available in the UK…unfortunately, not here…Thais don’t cook with apples like we do they just like sweet apples for eating and some don’t bake well…
We can still get them here but they are definite being overshadowed by the newer varieties.
Do you find newer varieties just as good for cooking and baking?
I think more of the newer varieties are for eating rather than cooking or baking. There are a few places around here specializing in heirloom varieties, and there are so many!
Perfect fall treat. Thanks for the yummy post!
You’re welcome! Baked apples and cider both say Autumn!
I can’t decide whether to scoop out the filling first or just dig in! 😍🍃🍎
I know, it’s the baked apple dilemma. I usually try to include a little of the filling in every bite, try being the operative word here…
Maybe on my second helping. 🤣
😀🍎
A delicious recipe for fall apples.
Thanks Jovina! We love them!
I love baked apples! Your pictures are beautiful!
Why thank you so much! Apples are a great subject!
This recipe sounds divine, and my daughter just went apple picking yesterday and left me lots of apples. Yay!
God Bless
Sounds like your house will have the wonderful aroma of apples!
What a delicious version of baked apples–love these fall flavors!
Thank you so much for stopping by! The flavors really do say fall!
My heart melted right at the picture of apples hanging on the tree. Wow!! And what a beautiful recipe 😋😋 yummy
Thank you so much! There’s something about seeing those beautiful apples on the tree just waiting for us!
Omg yes! I agree 💯
Oh my goodness these look good. For breakfast, for dessert… either one! I like the way you prepared the apples by first taking off the tops.
Thanks Mimi! I will confess that we had baked apples for breakfast the next day…
Love the beauty of apples hanging on the tree and the delicious recipe !! 🍎
Thank you so much. It is a wonderful time of year!
These look delicious! I’ve never made or even had baked apples before, but it sounds like the most delicious thing ever!
They are really special! So pretty to look at too!