The Best Maple Cinnamon Baked Apples

In my opinion baked apples are great treat on a cold evening or any other evening really and they make a healthier alternative to the usual dessert fare — a cookie, a brownie or a bit of chocolate.
My mom used to make them every so often during fall and winter when I was a child. I remember eating them hot from the oven with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream or some yogurt on top. Nothing fancy but so very delicious.

These Maple Cinnamon Baked Apples are similar to mom’s but a tad improved: perfectly soft in the inside without being mushy, with just enough crispiness on the outside.
I like to use Honeycrisp apples because they add a bit of sweetness to the mix and plenty of juices. Also, I usually don’t peel the apples because I like the texture of the skin and I feel that peeling is unnecessary extra work, but feel free to do it if you like ‘em that way.

This recipe is extremely simple and easy to make and requires only 7 ingredients: apples, lemon juice, maple syrup, sugar, cornstarch, water, and cinnamon. Mom liked to add a tablespoon of butter to make them richer. I honestly don’t think it’s necessary but if you’re in the mood, why not?
These baked apples are simple enough for a weeknight dessert but served with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream they can make a fancy enough dessert for a dinner party.

So what are you waiting for? Just 40 minutes and you can have a warm bubbling bowl of baked apples to cozy up to. Plus, the house will smell amazing while they’re baking which is always an added bonus.

The Best Maple Cinnamon Baked Apples                                                                                    Print this recipe!

Ingredients
Serves 4

5 medium apples, cored and sliced into ¼-inch slices (peeled or unpeeled)
Juice of half lemon
½ cup maple syrup
¼ cup brown sugar (or coconut sugar to keep it paleo)
1 tablespoon water
2 teaspoons cornstarch (or arrowroot powder)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon butter or coconut oil (optional but makes them rich and yummier)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and place a rack in the middle.
Place apple slices into a baking dish and add lemon juice, maple syrup, sugar, water, cornstarch, and cinnamon. Mix thoroughly until combined.
Bake for 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and give a good stir. Add butter in dots, return to the oven, and bake for an additional 5 minutes.
Serve warm!

Nutrition facts

One serving yields 220 calories, 3 grams of fat, 62 grams of carbs, and 0 grams of protein.