Whole Baked Apples with Crumb Topping

Y’all, let’s skip the hassle of apple pie this Fall and keep it simple yet fab with these Whole Baked Apples! They’re topped with a crumbly, buttery topping that packs in all those rich and spicy fall flavors – no pie crust drama needed! Serve up these beauties all through the fall, and watch as everyone lines up for seconds. Trust me, they’re a total crowd-pleaser!

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Baked Apples – honestly, if you haven’t tried these yet, you’re in for a treat. Imagine biting into a warm, soft apple filled with the melt-in-your-mouth goodness of buttery brown sugar and topped with that nostalgic crumble we all love. It’s like a hug in dessert form! I’ve always had a soft spot for apple-based desserts, and these baked apples? They’re right at the top of the list.

As the Fall arrives each year, I find my mind begins to fill with thoughts of pumpkins, beautiful foliage, crisp weather, and, of course, apple pie.  But, I don’t always feel like fussin’ with a crust, so I make these super simple baked apples! I love that you can just core and stuff them with a crispy, crumb topping and still feel just as satisfied!

Why You’ll Love These Old-Fashioned Baked Apples

• Quick apple dessert recipe. All you need to do is core the apples and add the apple crumble on top. Easy peasy boos.
• Dessert showstopper. Baked whole apples look so fly when served up, especially when you add a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
• Great flavor and texture. Baking the apples softens them perfectly while the crumble adds a lovely texture and sweetness you experience in each bite.

Ingredients

Whether you love apple crumbles or apple crisps, they all start with the most delish and irresistible topping filled with various textures, spices, and sweetness, which we are duplicating in this baked apple recipe. You will need a few key ingredients:

• All-purpose flour: It has a sturdy texture and works well here.
• Sugar: This recipe uses a combination of both brown sugar and granulated sugar.  The brown sugar adds a nice difference in flavor with the molasses.
• Salt: Remember to always add salt to any dessert you are baking.  It is crucial for balancing texture and sweetness.
• Cinnamon: Cinnamon is always the preferred spice to pair with apples.  It warms it up and adds a nice kick of deliciousness.
• Butter: Unsalted butter is the essential ingredient that combines the crumb topping and adds flavor. I prefer melted butter to keep the effort for this recipe at a minimum.
• Apples: I suggest using any apple you like, but Granny Apples, Honeycrisp, Golden Delicious, and Gala all work well.

How to Make Baked Apples with Crumb Topping

These apples go together in just a couple of simple steps! Here is a look at them, along with photos. Be sure to check the recipe card for the full details.

Making the Crumble Topping

1. Whisk together the flour, both types of sugar, salt, and ground cinnamon in a small bowl.
2. Slowly pour in the butter and whisk until crumbs start to form.

Prepare the Apples

1. Core the apples from the top part of the apple using a small knife but add a small amount of core to the bottom of the apples and peel an inch off the top of the apple.
2. Fill each apple with butter and brown sugar halfway up the apple.
3. Fill the remaining half with the crumble topping and pat it down on the top.
4. Wrap the apples in foil and bake for 25-30 minutes. Watch carefully for another 5 minutes to make sure the apples are still stable and intact.

Cooling the Apples

1. Remove the baked apples from the oven and allow them to cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Tips for Making the Best Baked Apples in Oven

• Make sure to wrap your apples tightly with foil to ensure that the filling doesn’t spill out everywhere.
• Allow your apples to cool slightly when they come out of the oven.  This will also allow the apple to firm back up a bit since the baking softens its texture quite a bit.
• Choose the right apples! Be sure to choose an apple that’s not overly sweet and will hold up when baked.

Popular Substitutions & Additions

• Want more complex flavors? Try some apple pie spice blend with cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and a variety of other flavors if you want to truly spice things up. Pumpkin pie spice also works!
• Add nuts to the crumble mixture. Chop up some pecans or walnuts and mix it into the crumble mixture just before stuffing the apples.
• Add a bit of dried fruit. Raisins, cranberries, and cherries are just a few that work great with apples.
• Add some cayenne for a bit of spice!

What to Serve with Baked Cinnamon Apples

• A classic addition! Top your baked cinnamon apples with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
• Drizzle with a bit of caramel sauce for more buttery, richness.
• For apple overload, enjoy it with a hot apple cider or apple cider float.
• Sip on a hot buttered rum or fig mojito!

How to Store & Reheat

Baked apples are at their prime when they’re fresh out the oven, y’all. They tend to get a bit softer when you reheat them, losing some of that perfect texture. But don’t fret, you can still pack them up in an airtight container and stash them in the fridge for later. They’ll still taste amazing, though they might lose a bit of their shape.

When you’re ready for round two, just pop them in a baking dish and slide them into a 350° F oven for about 10-15 minutes, or until they’re warmed through.

How long will baked apples with crumb topping last in the fridge?

When properly stored, they will last up to four days.

Can I freeze cinnamon-baked apples?

Nope, I would not freeze this recipe. The freezer is not too kind to apples as it is, and you’re likely to end up with a pile of mush once defrosted. Although, it might make a bomb applesauce!

Frequently Asked Questions

Baked apples with that crumb topping? Say less! They’re the ultimate fall dessert you gotta have in your recipe arsenal! Super easy to whip up with just a few basic ingredients. And let me tell you, they’re not just yummy, but they’ve got that elegant flair, perfect for family dinners or impressing your guests.

More Apple Recipes

• Spiced Cider Apple Cake
• Caramel Apple Cheesecake
• Apple Fritters
• Butterscotch Apple Bars
• Apple Tarte Tatin
• Apple Pie Bars

*Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating and leave comments below!* Post a photo of how your version of the recipe came out on Instagram (using #grandbabycakes)!!