How to Make a Baked Apple

Co-authored by Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA

Last Updated: May 6, 2021 Tested

Baked apples are a tasty treat you can make in an oven or microwave. Most recipes for baked apples recommend making 4 at a time, but you can make just 1 to satisfy your sweet tooth. First, you’ll need to cut out the apple core and stuff it with butter and spices. Then, bake the apple(s) in either the oven or the microwave.

Ingredients

1 to 4 large baking apples (Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Jonagold)
2 to 8 tbsp (28 to 112 g) Butter
1 to 4 tbsp (14 to 56 g) Brown sugar
.5 tsp (1.5 g) Cinnamon
1/4 c (21 g) Pecans (optional)
1/4 c (21 g) Raisins (optional)
1/4 c (21 g) Oatmeal (optional)
.25 tsp (1 g) Nutmeg (optional)
Pinch of cloves (optional)
Peach bits for topping (optional)

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Preparing the Apples

1
Preheat your oven to 375 °F (191 °C). Start the oven before you prep the apples so it will be at the right temperature when your apples are ready for baking.
- Move your oven rack to the lower-middle level. Your apples will bake best in this spot.
- If you only want to make 1 apple, you may want to microwave it instead.
2
Remove the core from your baking apples. Leave about .5 in (1.3 cm) of the bottom of the apple so the toppings won’t fall out. It’s easiest to use an apple corer or melon baller to remove the core. If you don’t have one, you can use a paring knife to cut around the circumference of the core, then use a spoon to scoop it out.^{[1]
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- The best apples for baking include Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp, Fuji, and Jonagold.
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3
Stuff each core with 1 tbsp (14 g ) of butter and 2 tbsp (28 g) of brown sugar. You can mix them together before you add them or stuff them in separately. They will melt together in the oven.^{[2]
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- Add pecans and cinnamon to your core for added flavor and crunch.
- As an alternative, you can mix 1/4 cup (55 g) brown sugar, 1/4 cup (21 g) rolled oats, .5 tsp (1.5 g) cinnamon, .25 tsp (1 g) nutmeg, and a pinch of ground cloves in a bowl. Then, distribute the mixture evenly into the 4 apples. Top each apple with a pat of butter.^{[3]
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- You can also mix other toppings, such as raisins, fresh peaches, or pecans into your apple cores. Choose toppings that you find tasty!
4
Put the apples in your baking dish and add 1 cup (240 mL) of hot water. It's best to space the apples about .5 inches (1.3 cm) apart. The water should cover the bottom of the dish. This will keep your apples moist as they bake.
- If you’re making just 1 apple, you can microwave it in a microwave-safe dish. Add about .25 cups (59 mL) of water if you’re microwaving a single apple.
- As an alternative to water, you can use apple juice for more flavor.
5
Sprinkle a layer of cinnamon over your apples, if you like. You can also add a sprinkle of brown sugar for added sweetness. Chopped nuts and fresh fruit also make yummy toppings.^{[4]
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- You don’t have to add toppings to your apples. The stuffing inside the core will also provide flavor and sweetness.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Baking the Apples

1
Bake them for 30-45 minutes, until they’re browned. You’ll know your apples are ready when you can easily pierce them with a fork. The skin should also be wrinkled.^{[5]
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- Check them after 15 minutes to make sure they don’t overcook. If you’re cooking fewer or smaller apples, they may be ready after 15 minutes.^{[6]
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- You can cover the apples with foil to make them cook faster. However, you can only do this if you’re using an oven, as foil will spark in the microwave.^{[7]
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2
Microwave them for 4 minutes on high heat for a quick alternative. The apples' skin should be wrinkly. Check that the apples are tender by piercing them with a fork. If the fork goes through cleanly, the your apples are ready.^{[8]
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- If your apples are not tender, you can microwave them for longer in 30 second intervals.
3
Remove your apples from the oven or microwave. Use a towel or oven mitt to protect your skin from burns. Place the dish on a towel, cooling rack, or the stove top to allow it to cool.^{[9]
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- Be very careful when handling the hot dish.
4
Let your apples cool for a few minutes. The apples will be very hot when you first take them out of the oven. Don’t taste or touch the apples until they’ve cooled.^{[10]
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5
Slice the apples to make them easier to serve. Turn a cooled apple onto its side, then use a sharp knife to cut the apple into several slices. Each slice should have stuffing in its core.
- You don’t have to slice the apples, but it’s easier to eat them sliced. As an alternative, you can chop up the apples or use a spoon to scoop out bites.
- You can top your apples with a scoop of ice cream or whipped cream for a yummy treat!^{[11]
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Community Q&A

Question

Why do my apples burst?

Qamar

Top Answerer

Ensure you remove the piece of skin around the top next to the core, as this can cause bursting.
Question

If I don't have raisins and cinnamon, what else can I use?

Qamar

Top Answerer

You can sprinkle extra sugar and/or add other dried fruits. Cinnamon and raisins only add flavor, so you can omit it as well for less flavorful baked apples.
Question

Can I use cooking apples?

Pat Southwood-Theron

Community Answer

Yes, the more sour and firm apples are, the better for baking.

Warnings

Wait until after you bake the apples to cut them into slices. If you slice them before you bake them, they’ll be very mushy.

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Be careful when you’re taking the apples out of the oven or handling them right after you remove them. They will be very hot and may burn you.

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