Baked Apple Halves with Nutty Cinnamon-Almond Filling
These baked apple halves feature a delightful nutty and spicy filling, perfect for fall treats or elegant desserts.
Ingredients
For the apples and filling
- 4 pieces apples (Granny Smith, Gala, or Honeycrisp, cut in half)
- ¼ cup pecans (chopped)
- ¼ cup almonds (chopped)
- 2 tbsp almond flour
- 1 tsp cinnamon (ground)
- ¼ tsp ginger (ground)
- ¼ tsp nutmeg (ground)
- ½ tsp alcohol-free vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp applesauce (unsweetened) optional
- 1 tbsp butter (melted)
- 1 pinch salt
- ¼ cup water for steaming
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a baking dish.
- Slice each apple in half and remove the core, creating a small 'well' in each half for the filling.
- In a mixing bowl, combine chopped pecans, chopped almonds, almond flour, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, alcohol-free vanilla extract, applesauce (if using), melted butter, and a pinch of salt.
- Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the nut mixture into each apple half, pressing it gently down.
- Arrange the apple halves in the baking dish and pour water around the base to steam the apples.
Baking
- Cover with foil and bake for 20-25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the apples are tender and the filling is golden.
Serving
- Allow them to cool slightly before serving and enjoy as is or with a dollop of plain Greek yogurt.
Notes
For even softer apples, increase baking time by a few minutes. Consider adding a squeeze of lemon juice for acidity. This recipe is adaptable; feel free to swap walnuts for pecans or try different spices.