When the scent of baked apples, cinnamon, and toasted nuts fills the kitchen, Christmas spirit arrives immediately. Baked apples for Christmas are a classic winter dessert that can be prepared with a few ingredients and still feel particularly festive.
The apples are hollowed out, filled with an aromatic mixture of nuts, honey, and spices, and then baked in the oven until soft. Served with warm vanilla sauce, vanilla ice cream, or whipped cream, they become the delicious finale of a Christmas menu.
Why baked apples are perfect for Christmas
Baked apples are uncomplicated, easy to prepare, and can be adapted to different preferences. The filling can be classic, fruity, especially nutty, or even made without animal ingredients.
Other benefits:
- few and readily available ingredients
- quick preparation
- easy to prepare for guests
- many variations
- also possible without added sugar
- ideal for using up apples and leftover nuts
Because each apple is filled individually, the filling can also be easily adapted to different tastes.
Which apple is suitable for baked apples?
Firm, slightly tart varieties are particularly good for baked apples. They keep their shape better when baked and provide a pleasant contrast to the sweet filling.
Suitable apple varieties include:
- Boskoop
- Elstar
- Braeburn
- Jonagold
- Cox Orange
- Topaz
Very soft or very mealy apples can fall apart quickly in the oven. Especially large apples usually need a little longer than smaller ones.
How to properly hollow out baked apples
The core can be removed most easily with an apple corer. Alternatively, a small sharp knife will do.
It's important not to pierce the apple all the way through. If the bottom remains closed, the filling won't leak out.
The opening can be a little wider to provide enough room for nuts, raisins and other ingredients. Remove any hard pieces of the core.
The best fillings for baked apples
Classic with nuts and raisins
The traditional mix of walnuts, hazelnuts, raisins, honey and cinnamon goes especially well with the slightly tart apple.
If you don't like raisins, you can simply omit them or replace them with:
- dried cranberries
- Finely chopped dates
- dried apricots
- chopped figs
baked apple with marzipan
For an especially Christmassy variation, cut or crumble some marzipan and mix with chopped almonds, cinnamon and a few raisins. Because marzipan is already sweet, only a little additional honey is needed.
baked apple with oats
A filling of oats, nuts, cinnamon and a little honey is reminiscent of crunchy granola.
For four apples, use about:
- 4 tbsp oats
- 2 tbsp chopped nuts
- 1 to 2 tbsp honey
- some cinnamon
- a few small pats of butter
Baked apple with Spekulatius or cookies
Leftover Christmas cookies can be finely crumbled and used as a filling. Especially suitable are:
- Speculoos cookies
- Butter cookies
- Vanilla crescent cookies
- Gingerbread
Mix the cookie crumbs with chopped nuts and a little butter. Since the cookies already contain sugar, usually no additional honey is required.
Baked apple with quark filling
For a creamy variation, stir the quark with a little vanilla, cinnamon and honey. The mixture should not be too runny.
A small amount of chopped almonds or raisins adds more texture.
Vegan baked apples
Baked apples can easily be made vegan. To do this:
- Replace butter with plant-based margarine
- Replace honey with maple syrup or agave syrup
- Use plant-based vanilla sauce for serving
Tips for successful baked apples
Use some of the honey only after baking
Honey can darken significantly with prolonged heat. Therefore it is advisable to use only part for the filling and to drizzle the remaining honey over the freshly baked, hot apples. The original post also mentions brushing after baking as a tip.
Lightly score the apples all around
A shallow cut around the apple can help the skin split more controllably and help the apple retain its shape. The cut should only go through the skin and not deep into the flesh. This note is already included in the original article.
Add a little liquid to the baking dish
A small amount of water or apple juice prevents escaping juice from burning on the bottom of the baking dish. At the same time some steam is produced that gently cooks the apples. However, too much liquid should not be used, otherwise the apples will be poached rather than baked.
Choose an appropriately sized baking dish
The apples should stand upright and relatively close together if possible. In a dish that is too large they can tip over more easily.
Adjust baking time to the size of the apples
Small apples can be tender after about 20 to 25 minutes. Very large and firm fruits may require 35 to 40 minutes. You can carefully check whether the flesh is soft with a small knife or a wooden skewer.
Why do baked apples shrink?
During baking, the apple loses water. This makes the flesh softer and causes it to contract. Some shrinkage is therefore normal.
Significant collapse can have the following causes:
- very soft apple variety
- overbaking
- oven temperature too high
- overripe apples
- cored too deeply
Firm, fresh apples and a moderate oven temperature usually produce the best results.
What goes well with baked apples?
Baked apples are already delicious on their own. With a side dish, however, they become even more festive.
Popular accompaniments include:
- warm or cold vanilla sauce
- Ice chocolate
- Whipping cream
- cinnamon ice cream
- Natural yogurt
- Mascarpone cream
- Caramel sauce
- chopped, toasted nuts
Preparing baked apples for guests
Baked apples are a good choice for a Christmas dinner, since a large part of the work can already be done in advance.
You can:
- prepare the nut filling,
- wash and hollow out the apples,
- fill the apples,
- cover the dish and chill.
The prepared apples should ideally be baked on the same day. To prevent the cut surfaces from browning too much, they can be brushed lightly with lemon juice.
It's best to put the apples in the oven shortly before dessert. That way they are served warm and fresh.
Can you reheat baked apples?
Baked apples can be reheated the next day. Place them in a baking dish and warm them in the oven at about 150 °C. It's faster in the microwave, but the apple can become very soft. Leftovers should be covered after cooling, stored in the refrigerator, and consumed promptly.
Baked apple in the Airfryer
You can also make baked apples in the air fryer. The exact time depends on the device and the size of the apples.
As a guideline:
- about 160 to 170 °C
- approximately 15 to 25 minutes
The apples should be placed in a small, heatproof dish. Check occasionally to see if they are already soft.
Baked apple without added sugar
Ripe apples and dried fruit already contain natural sweetness. For a version without added sugar, the following ingredients are suitable:
- chopped dates
- Raisins
- unsweetened applesauce
- Cinnamon
- Vanilla
- Nuts
- Coconut flakes
If you avoid honey or syrup, you can serve the finished baked apple with plain yogurt or an unsweetened vanilla sauce.
Frequently asked questions about baked apples
Do baked apples need to be peeled?
No. The skin stabilizes the apple during baking and helps it retain its shape better.
How long do baked apples need in the oven?
At 180 °C they need, depending on size and variety, about 25 to 40 minutes. The original recipe indicates around 30 minutes.
How can you tell when a baked apple is done?
The apple should be soft but still upright. The skin may crack slightly and a knife should glide into the flesh without much resistance.
Can you make baked apples without raisins?
Yes. Raisins can be omitted or replaced with cranberries, dates, dried apricots, or extra nuts.
How do you prevent the filling from leaking out?
The core must not be completely hollowed out to the bottom. Also, the filling should be placed loosely and not piled up too high.
Which nuts go best?
Walnuts, hazelnuts, and almonds harmonize particularly well with apples and cinnamon. Pecans are also a good alternative.
Conclusion
Baked apples for Christmas are an uncomplicated dessert that immediately creates a festive atmosphere with its scent of cinnamon, apples, and roasted nuts. The classic recipe with honey, walnuts, hazelnuts, and raisins can be easily modified and adapted to different preferences.
The key is firm apples, a filling that is not too runny, and the right baking time. Served with Vanilla sauce, ice cream, or whipped cream, the baked apple becomes a warming finish to a cozy Christmas dinner.
Read also: Recipe for a non-alcoholic children's punch
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