Maple Walnut Baked Apples
User Reviews
5
Maple Walnut Baked Apples
Description
Maple Walnut Baked Apples start with firm, sweet apples like Honeycrisp that are carefully cored to keep the bottom intact, ensuring the filling stays inside while baking. The filling is a blend of melted butter, maple syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and halved or chopped walnuts, heated beforehand to dissolve sugar and meld flavors. This mixture is poured slowly into the cored apples to fully fill the cavity.
The baking dish receives warm water to help bake the apples gently and evenly at 375°F, softening them while retaining their form. The result is tender apples with a moist interior enriched by the fragrant spiced syrup and crunchy walnuts. A fine dusting of confectioners sugar adds a touch of visual sweetness and a slight contrast on plating.
This dish suits autumn and winter meals, complementing savory mains or serving as a standalone dessert. It pairs well with whipped cream, caramel sauce, or chocolate drizzle for added indulgence. Its warm spices and maple syrup echo classic seasonal flavors making it appealing for holiday tables.
Using a paring knife and spoon to core apples without piercing the bottom is key, and lemon juice can be dabbed inside the cored area to delay browning before baking if desired. Alternative apples with firm texture like Cosmic Crisp or Braeburn are recommended over softer or tarter varieties. Pecans may substitute for walnuts, and while salted butter is typical, unsalted can also be used adding a pinch of salt to balance sweetness.
Ingredients
- 4 large honeycrisp apples
- 1/3 cup maple syrup amber
- 2 tablespoons butter salted
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar either dark or light
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 2/3 cup walnuts halved or pieces
- 3/4 cup water warm
- lemon juice optional
- confectioners sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- In a small saucepan, add butter, maple syrup, brown sugar, ginger, nutmeg, and cinnamon, and heat over medium-low to melt the butter. Whisk until all of the sugar is dissolved. Pour into a pyrex or another small dish with a pour spout and set aside.
- Use either a pairing knife and a spoon or an apple corer to core apples, but be sure to not cut through the bottom. Place apples in a baking dish.
- Add walnuts to cored apples and then slowly pour maple mixture into the apples, filling each a little at a time until all of the syrup is poured into the apples.
- Add warm water to the dish and bake for 40 minutes until the apples still maintain their structure but are soft.
- Dust with confectioner's sugar and serve!
Notes
- Core apples carefully, avoiding cutting through the bottom, to keep the filling contained during baking.
- Use firm, sweet apples such as Honeycrisp, Cosmic Crisp, Braeburn, Jazz, Sweet Tango, or Pink Lady for best texture and flavor.
- Lightly applying lemon juice to the cored interior reduces browning, but this does not affect taste or cooking.
- Pecans can be substituted for walnuts if preferred.
- Salted butter is recommended, but unsalted with a pinch of salt works as well.
- Toppings like whipped cream, caramel, or chocolate sauce complement this dessert nicely.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 380 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 380kcal | 19% |
| Carbohydrates | 55g | 18% |
| Protein | 4g | 8% |
| Fat | 19g | 29% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 10g | 59% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Trans Fat | 0.2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 15mg | 5% |
| Sodium | 53mg | 2% |
| Potassium | 397mg | 8% |
| Fiber | 7g | 28% |
| Sugar | 43g | 86% |
| Vitamin A | 301IU | 6% |
| Vitamin C | 11mg | 12% |
| Calcium | 73mg | 7% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.