Description
This delicious Baked Apple Halves recipe features tender baking apples stuffed with a buttery oat and brown sugar crumble, baked to perfection in a skillet. It’s an easy, comforting dessert that pairs beautifully with ice cream and caramel sauce for an indulgent finish.
Ingredients
Filling
- 6 Tablespoons butter
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar, packed
- ⅓ cup all purpose flour
- ⅔ cup rolled oats
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 dash nutmeg
- 1 pinch salt
Apples
- 4 large baking apples
- ½ cup water
Instructions
- Prepare the filling: In a large ovenproof skillet, melt the butter completely. Then pour the melted butter into a medium mixing bowl and combine it with brown sugar, flour, rolled oats, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Mix until the ingredients are well incorporated to form a crumbly filling.
- Prepare the apples: Wash the apples thoroughly and cut each in half lengthwise through the stem. Using a spoon, small knife, or melon baller, carefully remove the core and seeds from each half without breaking the skin. This will create a cavity for the filling.
- Arrange apples in skillet: Place the apple halves skin side down in the buttered skillet. The butter melted earlier will act as a natural grease to prevent sticking and add flavor.
- Fill the apples: Stuff each apple half generously with the prepared oat and brown sugar filling, pressing lightly so it stays in place inside the cavity.
- Add water and cover: Pour the ½ cup water around the apples in the skillet to keep them moist during baking. Cover the skillet tightly with a lid or foil to trap steam.
- Bake the apples: Place the covered skillet in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) and bake for 20 minutes. After that, remove the cover and continue baking the apples for another 30 to 40 minutes, or until they reach your desired tenderness—fork tender but not mushy.
- Serve: Once baked, serve the warm stuffed apples as is or topped with a scoop of ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce for an extra indulgent treat.
Notes
- Choose firm baking apples like Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Braeburn for the best texture.
- Be careful not to overbake to keep apple halves intact and prevent mushiness.
- Serving with ice cream or caramel sauce adds a lovely contrast of cold and sweetness.
- You can substitute rolled oats with quick oats if pressed for time.
- This recipe can easily be doubled or halved based on servings.
