Simple baked cinnamon apples made with only 4 ingredients! Baked Granny Smith apples with cinnamon, sugar & butter. Try these simple, whole baked cinnamon apples!
Simple baked cinnamon apples are the perfect fancy-looking dessert that's secretly one of the easiest things you can make. It goes great with this Classic Vanilla Sauce Recipe, and you’ll impress all your friends and family. It makes a wonderful dessert during the fall and winter seasons and is perfect for serving during Christmas! These whole baked apples only require four ingredients and both the apples and vanilla sauce can be made ahead of time. Just reheat the apples in your oven or microwave right before serving and warm the vanilla sauce on the stove top.
I picked up little baby granny smith apples sold in a bag at Trader Joe’s the other day because I thought they were the cutest little things ever. I knew I had to make whole baked cinnamon apples with them. Since they’re small, they also bake for a shorter amount of time which means they’ll be ready to eat sooner.
I chose to make whole baked cinnamon apples because they make for better presentation and I love the look of an entire baked apple sitting on the plate. They're soft enough where you can easily slice through the apple and cut away the core with a knife.
If you prefer, you can use sliced apples with this recipe. It tastes just as good but you'll need to reduce the baking time since the apple pieces are smaller.
Pairs perfectly with this Classic Vanilla Sauce Recipe!
Simple Baked Cinnamon Apples Tips:
While you're peeling the apples, place the already peeled ones in a bowl full of water. Lemon is optional and helps keep them from oxidizing but just plain water is fine too.
What are the best apples for baked cinnamon apples?
- Granny Smith
- Pink Lady
- Braeburn
- Honey Crisp
For baked apples, you want to choose an apple that has a firm texture that is more tart than sweet. The reason why is because it will hold up well during baking and the tartness complements any sweetness added to your dessert.
You can use softer, sweeter apples such as Gala and Red Delicious but you may want to reduce the sugar a bit and add an extra squeeze of lemon juice to add more tartness.
I find Granny Smith apples are perfect for making whole baked cinnamon apples and chose this variety because of the following reasons:
- Firm texture - they won't break down much during baking and they'll hold their shape.
- Less juicy than other apples - won't get mushy
- Tart flavor - pairs well with the cinnamon sugar, doesn't end up too sweet, and you'll keep that delicious apple flavor after baking
After covering them with melted butter, give them a generous dusting of cinnamon sugar. Make it rain baby! Don't worry about coating them completely with cinnamon sugar as you'll baste the cinnamon sugar syrup all over the apples once they bake in the oven. You can also spoon on a coating of cinnamon sugar glaze right before serving.
While baking, the apples release their juices and you will end up with the most DELICIOUS apple cinnamon glaze at the bottom of the baking dish. Be sure to drizzle this over the apples as it's full of apple flavor.
After taking them out of your oven, you'll end up with the softest, juiciest simple baked cinnamon apples. The flesh is perfectly tender and cooked through. Use the flavorful apple glaze to coat the apples and give it a sweet, tart, and sticky sheen.
Pair these whole baked cinnamon apples with this luscious, silky vanilla sauce and your mouth will thank you!
Can baked cinnamon apples be made ahead and refrigerated?
Yes whole baked cinnamon apples can be made ahead and refrigerated. Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving. They reheat well and still taste amazing afterwards. If you plan to reheat the vanilla custard sauce, do this on the stove top over very gentle heat. You don't want to microwave the custard sauce because it will curdle if overheated.
How long do baked cinnamon apples last in the fridge?
You can store baked apples in an airtight container and leave it in the fridge for up to 3 or 4 days. You can also freeze them for up to a month.
How to reheat the apples?
Oven: To reheat place the baked apples in a preheated 350 degree F oven and leave covered until warmed through. Warm up time will vary according to the size of your apples so check every 5 - 7 minutes.
Microwave: Place the apples in a microwave safe dish and heat on high for 1 minute at a time until the apples are warmed through the center. You may need to rotate them between heating. Do not microwave the vanilla custard sauce because it will overheat and curdle. Reheat the vanilla sauce on the stove top over very low heat while stirring.
I hope you make these simple whole baked cinnamon apples! Please share, rate, and comment below. I’d love to hear from you!
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Recipe
Easy Baked Cinnamon Apples
☑ Ingredients
- 6 small Granny Smith apples
- ¼ cup sugar
- 2½ Tablespoons butter - melted
- 1 Tablespoon cinnamon
- Optional 1 Tablespoon of lemon juice
- 1 cup vanilla custard sauce - optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Peel each apple and place it in a bowl of water. Optional - add some lemon juice to the water to help prevent oxidation. Let them sit for 5 - 10 minutes or until all the apples are peeled and other ingredients are gathered.
- Mix together the cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl. Coat the apples completely with melted butter and then sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture on top.
- Place the apples in a baking dish and cover it with foil. Bake for 45 minutes. Uncover and baste the apples in the juices that have been released, and bake uncovered for 5 - 7 minutes until the apples start to brown and a cinnamon sugar glaze forms at the bottom of the pan. The apples should be soft and tender. Baste the apples immediately before serving and serve with vanilla sauce.
✎ Recipe Notes
- If you want more glaze at the bottom of your baking dish, add ¼ cup of apple juice to the baking dish in the beginning.
- You can substitute apple slices as well but reduce the cooking time to 30 minutes.
- Make ahead up to 2 days in advance and reheat the apples in the microwave or oven. Reheat the custard sauce gently on the stove top while stirring.
Nutrition
*Nutritional information is an estimate, calculated using online tools.
Wendy
We had friends over for dinner on the weekend, and they are both trying to watch their weight, so we settled on a fruit based dessert, and enjoyed your cinnamon apples very much! We served with some Greek yoghurt, and it was fresh and delicious. Love the cinnamon flavour - really worked well with the fall theme we were hoping to achieve!
Alex
What a delicious dessert! Apple and cinnamon work so well together! I'm making these with some granny smiths.
Deanna
Made these for guests for an early Christmas dinner. They were blown away. So good an so easy.
Charity
I bought a half bushel of apples for Thanksgiving and have been looking for recipes to use up the leftovers. This is perfect! Looks easy and delicious! Thanks!
Ann
sometimes the simplest things are the most delicious! Love that you added a vanilla custard sauce. I need to try this as I entertain so much around the holidays 🙂
Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer
Oh yum! This looks like the PERFECT comfort food dessert! This with a bowl of ice cream or custard and I'd be in heaven! I know what I'm making this weekend!
Veena Azmanov
Apples full of flavor and best for a sweet tooth craving too. A must try recipe.
Kushigalu
I can smell it 🙂 one of my favorite. So delicious. Perfect holiday treat!
GUNJAN C Dudani
I love these baked apples. This season I have been trying these with various combinations. Thanks for this recipe!
Anita
I would love to eat my apples like this from now on, Jamie. They look awesome and taste delicious. 🙂
Sharon
These baked apples are the perfect way to simply use up delicious picked fresh apples. Perfect for when I want something sweet.
Elaine
One of the best baked apples recipes I've seen so far this season. Incredible colors and such a great texture. I am sure the flavors go through the roof!
Tammy
These look SO beautiful with the custard...what a dreamy autumn dessert! Pinning for later! ^_^
Sonal
What a delicious treat and perfect for the fall weather. Serving it with vanilla sauce is a great idea.
Amanda
Yum! Cinnamon apples are my favorite and this recipe is great!
Anna
Love the simplicity in this recipe! Only few basic ingredients but what a stunning and delicious result! Especially with a dollop of custard!
Tammy
I've never had a baked apple like this before, so beautiful and delicious. I love how simple yet elegant this dessert is 🙂
Kathryn
These were so delicious! I kind of want to go make them again right now!