This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Albertsons. All opinions are 100% mine.
Baked apples aren’t typically a “wow” of the dessert world. But I’d like to help you change your opinion on that with some baked Honeycrisp apples. These baked apples are perfectly cooked (not mushy!) still retain a slight al dente feel to them, but have all the taste and goodness of hot apple pie. And they’re super easy to make! Not a lot of prep, no crust to toil over and roll out — what’s not to like?
Now, don’t get me wrong. I love pie. Like LOVE. And I love making a traditional pie with a homemade crust. But sometimes you just want something quick, easy, satisfying and ultra cozy. (And maybe slightly healthier. 😇) That’s where baked apples come in.
I honestly don’t usually think of Honeycrisp apples as a variety you’d want to bake. But, I think for this recipe, you’ll find that they’re the perfect apple — they’re sweet, they don’t fall apart when baking, and they’re pretty easy to find.
Speaking of which, I shopped at Albertsons in my local area to pick up these apples, but you can also look for similar products at any of the Albertsons Companies family of stores, including ACME Markets, Jewel-Osco, Randalls, Shaw’s Supermarket, Safeway, Star Market, Tom Thumb and Vons.
The virus is still running rampant in Missoula, so I opted to stay out of the store and use Albertsons DriveUp & Go™ for a convenient way to shop, which I really appreciate. (Also, the folks who bring out my groceries are always so nice! And yep, masks are always in place — both on them and on me.)
After picking up my apples and ingredients for this recipe, it was a pretty quick make!
Just wash your apples (always wash your produce!), cut off the tops, and remove the core (plus just a little extra) from the inside of each apple. (Those little extra bits are tasty!) I found it easiest to do this with a melon baller tool, but you could also use an apple corer or a paring knife. Just make that that you don’t pierce through the bottom of the apple. Retaining that base will help the apple keep its shape and prevent it from becoming waterlogged.
After you’ve got your apples ready, mix the apple “stuffing,” and pack it in to each apple when it’s all set to go.
At this point you’re almost done!
The last step is to top each apple with a pat of butter and a sprinkle of the sugar mixture, admire your handiwork and then pop those beauties into the oven for about a hour.
Truly — this is an easy and delicious recipe. Side bonus: your house will smell soooo good.
Once the apples are tender, remove them from the oven and serve warm in a small dish (you’ll want to be able to scoop up the caramelized goodness). You may even want to throw some ice cream into the mix. And enjoy!
- 4 Honeycrisp apples, washed
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- Dash of salt
- 4 Tablespoons butter
- Preheat oven to 350° F.
- Slice the top portion off the apples and scoop out the core with an apple-corer or melon-baller tool, leaving a well in the center. Be sure not to cut through the bottom of the apples.
- In a medium bowl, mix the brown sugar, cinnamon, cranberries, walnuts (or pecans), and salt until blended.
- Reserve about a teaspoon and half of the brown sugar mixture, and stuff each apple with ¼ of the remaining mixture. It's ok to pack it in if you need to and mound the top a little.
- Place the apples in a deep baking dish (an 8"x8" baking dish works well). Top each apple with 1 Tablespoon of butter and a sprinkle of the reserved brown sugar mixture.
- Pour about ½" to 1" of water into the baking pan around the apples, and bake for 50 to 60 minutes, until apples are tender.
- Serve the apples warm. If you'd like, top them with whipped cream, a caramel sauce, or serve with a scoop of ice cream.
You can also reheat Individual apples at 50% power in a microwave.
