Tender apples are stuffed with crunchy nuts and sweet raisins, and spiked with cinnamon. This old fashioned treat is not only a frugal dessert, but it is delicious too. I am putting this into the category of “The Healthy $1 Menu”, because each serving cost less than one dollar to make!
This is the type of dessert that Dr. Price would have served to the school children in his programs, by the way. While I don’t think that fruit always needs to be on the menu, fruit can help provide needed vitamins and nutrients not always found elsewhere.
I served this with a side of homemade ice cream. For a dairy-free version you could use my coconut milk vanilla ice cream. We tried a goat milk version, since we just recently found out that goat’s milk may be okay for us. Next time I may try a combination of coconut milk and goat’s milk to up the creaminess of the ice cream. We tried 3 cups of whole goat’s milk (raw and fresh, so that it wouldn’t taste “goaty”), ¼ cup honey, 2 teaspoons of vanilla. Very yummy and light.
When we think of baked apples, we generally think of whole apples, baked. But you don’t necessarily have to leave the apple whole. Traditionally, sometimes they were halved or even sliced before baking. I got tired of coring my apple, so here; I cut them in half and then stuff each half. You could easily make this with any amount of apples you want. I use about ½ tablespoon each of nuts, dried fruit per half of apple, and butter (or coconut oil). Then add as much sweetener and cinnamon as you’d like and you have your stuffing mixture!
I have been making a small amount of apples at a time. This will serve 2 people, for a whole apple each, or 4 people, with a half apple each.
Simple Baked Apples
Traditionally, baking apples were used for this type of recipe as they won’t fall apart easily once cooked. However, both my husband and I remember our mothers making it with apples that became quite soft and mushy once baked – which we actually kind of liked. So it is up to you what you want use!
2 medium/small cooking apples (such as Rome Beauty, Granny Smith, or Jonathan)
2 tablespoon chopped nuts (walnuts are a favorite)
2 tablespoons dried fruit (raisins, currants, or whatever else catches your fancy)
1 tablespoon of sweetener of your choice (honey, to make it GAPS-friendly, coconut sugar, unrefined cane sugar)
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons of butter or coconut oil (use coconut oil to make it vegan)
½ cup of water or apple juice
1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. Mix together the nuts, fruit, sweetener, and cinnamon.
3. Using the stem to center your knife cut down the middle of each apple. Using a pointy spoon, dig out the core of each apple half.
4. Stuff each apple with the nut and fruit mixture. Top each half with about ½ tablespoon of butter or coconut oil.
5. Place in a small casserole dish (I use a nine by nine glass one). Pour the water or apple juice around the apples (this will help keep them moist while they cook).
6. Cover the pan with aluminum foil (not allowing it to touch the food). Place in oven and cook for about 30-45 minutes, or until the apples are soft. About every 10-15 minutes, baste the apples with the water/juice from the bottom of the pan. This helps make sure they don’t dry out.
7. When they are soft enough. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Serve plain, or with ice cream, or maple whipped cream. Enjoy!
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Jen | my BIG FAT grain free life
WOW – this looks wonderful. Takes me back to a simplicity that’s nourishing and delicious! I can over-complicate things so many times. This is TRUE comfort food! Can’t wait to try this recipe. Methinks Friday night family time we will indulge!
Thanks again for a wonderful recipe-
Jen
KimiHarris
You are so welcome, Jen! I sometimes love complicated food, so I understand the tendency. This is just perfectly simply food. And I love it too!
ariyele
currently dealing with an apple + non-fermented dairy allergy (go figure) so i’m gonna do this with pears and creme fraiche. maybe a little kick of ginger. thanks for this great inspiration.
KimiHarris
Eek! Sorry about the allergy! Let me know how the pears turn out! And the ginger sounds like a great addition.
tina
Love, Love, Love baked apples!
We’ve been making crockpot baked apples almost daily since last fall when we bought several bushels of organic apples. I core them, put them in the crockpot, put a tsp or so of coconut oil in each apple center, add about an inch of water in the bottom of the crock and let it bake on low overnight. They are ready for breakfast when we are!
KimiHarris
I will have to try crockpot baked apples sometime! Sounds easy. 🙂
Julie
would love to “pin” this recipe on pinterest – possible?
KimiHarris
Hey Julie,
We were working on adding some options. Let us know if the pinterest pin at the bottom of the post works for you. 🙂
Nechama
Yum! Baked apples are definitely high on the list of goodies. I use cinnamon & vanilla or nutmeg, plus powdered maple sugar (or honey) and coconut oil. I place one or two berry teabags in the water in the pan. It makes a syrup from the sweetener and apple that drips. I then dribble it over the apples when I serve them. I also put the pieces from coring the apple centers into the tea water which also adds flavor. I Like your writing very much.
KimiHarris
Thanks, Nechama! Your baked apples sound wonderful.
Julie
Thank you for bringing back to remembrance this great dessert! I made it last night and will probably do so again tonight! Baked apples may be the most perfect dessert ever.
KimiHarris
We’ve made them twice recently too. They are just so simple and so good!
Roxy
I have always loved baked apples although it’s been a long time! I intend to try your recipe, it makes my mouth water. Thank you for the easy recipes you always seem to come-up with.