Stuffed Baked Apples

These Stuffed Baked Apples offer a comforting, old-fashioned dessert experience that is both elegant and easy to prepare. The firm baking apples soften in the oven, absorbing the sweet, spiced flavors of the filling while maintaining their structure. Inside, a hearty mixture of rolled oats, plump raisins, and crunchy pecans provides a delightful textural contrast. The addition of fresh orange zest and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg elevates the natural sweetness of the fruit. Basted frequently with a simple apple juice and butter sauce, the apples develop a glossy, caramelized exterior. This dish is perfect for cozy autumn evenings, holiday gatherings, or any time you crave a wholesome, fruit-forward dessert. Serve warm, perhaps with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream, for a truly satisfying treat.

Cooking Method: Baking

Cuisine: American

Courses: Desserts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Servings: 4

Calories: 885.5

Dietary: Vegetarian

Description

These Stuffed Baked Apples offer a comforting, old-fashioned dessert experience that is both elegant and easy to prepare. The firm baking apples soften in the oven, absorbing the sweet, spiced flavors of the filling while maintaining their structure. Inside, a hearty mixture of rolled oats, plump raisins, and crunchy pecans provides a delightful textural contrast. The addition of fresh orange zest and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg elevates the natural sweetness of the fruit. Basted frequently with a simple apple juice and butter sauce, the apples develop a glossy, caramelized exterior. This dish is perfect for cozy autumn evenings, holiday gatherings, or any time you crave a wholesome, fruit-forward dessert. Serve warm, perhaps with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream, for a truly satisfying treat.

Ingredients

4 lg Baking apples; about 2 lbs
3 tablespoon Rolled oats
3 tablespoon Brown sugar; packed
2 tablespoon Raisins
2 tablespoon Pecans; chopped
2 tablespoon All-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon Orange zest; grated
1/4 teaspoon Ground nutmeg
4 teaspoon Butter or margarine; divided
3/4 cup Apple juice

Directions

1
Preheat the oven to 350F (175C).
2
Wash the apples and core them by cutting a circular hole from the top down to the center, being careful not to cut all the way through the bottom.
3
Optionally, remove the peel from the top third of each apple using a vegetable peeler for a softer texture near the filling.
4
Place the cored apples upright in a 9-inch square baking dish.
5
In a medium bowl, combine the rolled oats, brown sugar, raisins, chopped pecans, all-purpose flour, cinnamon, orange zest, and nutmeg. Mix until evenly distributed.
6
Spoon the oat mixture evenly into the hollowed centers of the apples, packing it down gently to fill the space.
7
Top each stuffed apple with 1 teaspoon of butter or margarine.
8
In a small saucepan, melt the remaining 1 teaspoon of butter over medium-high heat. Add the apple juice and bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve any sugar if present.
9
Pour half of the hot apple juice mixture over the apples in the baking dish.
10
Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, then baste the apples with the remaining juice mixture.
11
Continue baking, basting every 20 minutes with the pan juices, for a total of 1 hour or until the apples are tender when pierced with a knife.
12
Remove from the oven and let stand for 5 minutes before serving warm with the remaining pan juices.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 4

Amount Per Serving
Calories 885.5kcal

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 75.7g117%
Saturated Fat 22.9g115%
Cholesterol 0.0mg0%
Sodium 1035.4mg44%
Total Carbohydrate 51.7g18%
Dietary Fiber 5.3g22%
Sugars 31.4g
Protein 4.4g9%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

Choose firm baking apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Jonagold that hold their shape well during baking.

For a vegan version, ensure you use vegan butter or margarine.

If you prefer a softer skin, you can peel the apples entirely before stuffing.

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven before serving.

Feel free to substitute pecans with walnuts or almonds, and raisins with dried cranberries or cherries for a different flavor profile.

Keywords: baked apples, stuffed apples, apple dessert, oat filling, pecan dessert, cinnamon, nutmeg, orange zest, healthy dessert, autumn recipe, fruit bake, vegan option

Read it online: https://www.chefs-mate.com/recipe/stuffed-baked-apples/