Toss whole raw unpeeled apples in the glass baking dish and 4 other everyday ingredients to get a dessert so incredibly delicious your grandkids will be begging for more.
These Baked Whole Apples are a simple, rustic treat that transforms fresh fruit into a soft, caramelized dessert. Keeping the apples whole and unpeeled helps trap moisture as they bake in a buttery, cinnamon-sugar mixture. The result is a tender, juicy apple surrounded by a rich, syrupy sauce—full of cozy, apple pie–like flavor without the extra work.
5-Ingredient Baked Whole Apples
Ingredients
- 4 medium apples (Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji)
- 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/3 cup water (or apple juice/cider)
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
Step 1: Prep the apples
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Wash and dry the apples, leaving them whole and unpeeled. Place them upright in a single layer in an 8×8-inch baking dish.
Tip:
Keeping the peel on helps the apples maintain their shape during baking.
Step 2: Make the sauce
In a bowl, stir together the melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and water until mostly blended. Pour this mixture over the apples, allowing it to pool at the bottom.
Step 3: Bake covered
Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 35–45 minutes.
Tip:
Covering traps steam, helping the apples soften evenly.
Step 4: Finish uncovered
Remove the foil after about 25–30 minutes and continue baking.
Tip:
They’re done when the skins are wrinkled and the apples are fork-tender.
Step 5: Rest before serving
Let the apples sit for 5–10 minutes after removing them from the oven.
Tip:
This allows the liquid to thicken into a glossy syrup that coats each apple.
Warm, sweet, and comforting, this dessert shows how a few basic ingredients can come together to create something truly satisfying.
