Simple baked apple slices combine fresh sweet and tart apples with a warm cinnamon spice blend. As the apples bake they release a spiced caramel sauce ideal for spooning over the top. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a cozy fall dessert that’s quick to prepare and impossible to resist.
Sliced & Spiced
When cool, crisp air arrives in the fall, warm baked apples feel especially comforting. Whether baked whole or sliced, apples become tender, juicy, and infused with cinnamon-sweet flavor. Slicing the apples makes them easy to serve and eat—perfect for a family dessert or last-minute company.
Pair these caramelized apple slices with cold vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of cream for the ideal autumn treat. They’re simple to make, highlight seasonal apples, and are a no-fuss alternative to pie.
Why We Love This Recipe
- Quick: Only 10 minutes of prep and about 30 minutes of baking—ready in under an hour.
- Simple ingredients: Mostly pantry staples and fresh apples make this an easy home recipe.
- No crust, no fuss: All the flavors of apple pie without rolling or fussing with pastry.
Ingredients Needed
- Apples: Use a mix of sweet and tart varieties such as Honeycrisp, Gala, and Granny Smith.
- Lemon: Juice from lemon balances the sweetness and brightens the flavor.
- Spices: Ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves form the base. Optional additions include ginger, allspice, or cardamom.
Variations
- Add-ins: Stir in raisins, dried cranberries, or chopped pecans for added texture.
- Spice it up: Add nutmeg, extra cloves, or even a pinch of chili powder for subtle heat.
- Dairy-free option: Replace butter with coconut oil to make the recipe vegan-friendly.
- Citrus swap: Use orange juice instead of lemon for a sweeter citrus note.
Apple Varieties
Popular baking apples and what to expect after baking:
- Granny Smith: Very tart and firm; holds shape well.
- Honeycrisp: Sweet-tart with a crisp bite that softens slightly.
- Golden Delicious: Mildly sweet, softens considerably when baked.
- Braeburn: Sweet with spicy notes; maintains firmness.
- Pink Lady: Sweet with tang; holds shape and texture.
- Jonagold: Balanced sweet-tart; softens but keeps form.
How to Make Baked Apples — Step by Step
See the recipe card below for exact measurements and full instructions.
- Peel, core, and slice the apples into 1/3 to 1/2 inch-thick pieces. Thicker slices hold up better during baking.
- In a large bowl or directly in a baking dish, toss the apple slices with light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves, a pinch of salt, fresh lemon juice, and vanilla extract until evenly coated.
- Spread the coated apple slices evenly into a 2-quart baking dish or pie dish.
- Dot the apples with small cubes of unsalted butter across the top to create a rich cinnamon-caramel sauce while baking.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 30 minutes, stirring once halfway through (around 15 minutes) to keep the top layer moist. Bake until apples are tender but still hold a slight bite, or longer if you prefer them very soft.
Serving
- Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a drizzle of caramel, or a sprinkle of chopped nuts.
- Try baked apples spooned over oatmeal or yogurt for a cozy breakfast, or as a sweet side for pork dishes.
- Leftovers can be chopped and used as pie filling or folded into crisps and crumbles.
Expert Tips
- Slice size: Aim for 1/3 to 1/2 inch slices so apples keep their shape in the oven.
- Stir while baking: Stirring every 15 minutes prevents the top from drying and helps the sauce coat all the slices evenly.
- Watch the texture: Remove apples when they are tender but still slightly firm if you don’t want them to become mushy. Add short increments of baking time if you prefer softer apples.
If you enjoy this recipe, please leave a comment and rating. Sharing your experience helps others find and enjoy simple, seasonal desserts.
Easy Baked Apples
Ingredients
-
3 pounds
apples
peeled, cored, sliced (favorites include Honeycrisp, Gala, and Granny Smith) -
1/2 cup
light brown sugar -
2 tsp
ground cinnamon -
1/2 tsp
ground nutmeg -
1/4 tsp
ground cloves -
1/8 tsp
salt - juice from 1/2 a lemon
-
1 tsp
vanilla extract -
2 tbsp
unsalted butter
Instructions
-
Preheat: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
-
Prepare Apples: Peel, core, and slice apples into pieces about 1/3–1/2 inch thick.
-
Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl or directly in the baking dish, toss apples with light brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, salt, lemon juice, and vanilla. If you mixed in a bowl, transfer the apples to a 2-quart baking dish or pie dish.
-
Butter: Cut the butter into small squares and scatter them over the top of the apples.
-
Bake: Bake for 30 minutes, stirring once after about 15 minutes to prevent the top layer from drying. Bake until apples are tender and soft to your preference.
-
Serve: Remove from the oven and serve warm with vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel.
Equipment
-
pie dish or 2-quart baking dish
-
chef’s knife
-
cutting board
Notes
- Apples: A mix of sweet and tart varieties gives the best flavor balance.
- Lemon: Adds acidity to balance the sweetness; orange juice can be substituted for a different citrus note.
- Spices: Cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves are classic; try adding ginger or allspice for variation.
- Slice thickness: Keep slices 1/3–1/2 inch so they retain shape while baking.
- Bake time: Check at 30 minutes and continue in 5-minute increments until you reach the texture you prefer.
Nutrition
|
Calories: 185 kcal
|
Carbohydrates: 41 g
|
Fat: 4 g
|
Sodium: 50 mg
|
Fiber: 6 g
|
Sugar: 33 g
Nutrition information is an approximation and should be used as a guide.
Baked Apple FAQs
A combination of sweet and tart apples gives the best flavor. Good choices are Honeycrisp and Gala for sweetness, and Granny Smith for tartness.
Not if you watch the bake time. Check at 30 minutes and continue in 5-minute increments until you reach the desired texture. Thicker slices also help them hold their shape.
Baked apples retain much of their nutrition, especially fiber if the skin is left on. Some vitamin C is lost during cooking, but they remain a wholesome dessert when enjoyed in moderation.
More Apple Desserts
Apple Bread
Classic Apple Crisp
Southern Fried Apples
Caramel Apple Crisp
Recipe first published October 2, 2018. Updated August 26, 2022 with new photos and clarifications.
Photography credit: Modern Farmhouse Eats.