5-Ingredient Baked Whole Apples
This cozy, oven-baked apple dessert is perfect when you want something warm and homemade without a lot of cleanup.
Whole apples bake into a soft, caramel-like treat with a rich, spiced syrup—simple, comforting, and full of flavor.
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 4 medium whole apples (Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji)
- 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter (or neutral oil)
- 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/3 cup water (or apple juice/cider)
Directions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Wash and dry the apples. Leave them whole and unpeeled.
- Place apples upright in a glass baking dish.
- In a bowl, mix butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and water until combined.
- Pour the syrup over the apples, coating the tops.
- Cover tightly with foil and bake for 25–30 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake another 10–15 minutes until tender.
- Let cool for 5–10 minutes before serving.
- Slice and spoon syrup over apples. Serve warm.
Serving Suggestions
Serve warm with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or yogurt.
Leftovers are great over oatmeal or wrapped in a tortilla for a quick dessert.
Variations & Tips
- Use maple syrup or honey instead of some sugar for deeper flavor.
- Add vanilla extract or spices like nutmeg or cloves.
- Stir in cream after baking for a richer sauce.
- Add chopped nuts for crunch.
- Reduce sugar or swap butter for oil for a lighter version.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3–4 days.