Whether you prefer them plain or combined with other ingredients, baked apples are a great choice for anyone looking for a delicious yet nutritious option.
The benefits of ripe apples
Apples are rich in vitamins (especially vitamin C and A), fiber and antioxidants, and by baking they do not lose their essential nutritional properties. What’s more, baking enhances the natural flavor and makes the fruit easier to digest, being an ideal option for all ages.
Here are some of the benefits of eating ripe apples:
- They improve digestion due to the rich content of soluble and insoluble fibers.
- It stabilizes blood sugar, making it a healthy choice for those who want to control blood sugar levels.
- They strengthen the immune system thanks to the antioxidants and vitamins they contain.
- They are a filling dessert and can successfully replace unhealthy sweet snacks.
The classic baked apple recipe
This is a simple, easy recipe that brings out the natural taste of apples and makes them extremely appetizing.
Ingredients:
- 4 large apples (preferably sweet-sour varieties, such as Jonathan, Golden or Jonathan)
- 4 tablespoons of honey or brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
- 1 handful of raisins
- 4 tablespoons of coarsely chopped walnuts
- Juice of half a lemon (optional)
- A pinch of salt
Method of preparation:
- Preparation of apples: Wash the apples well and remove the core using a knife or a special device for removing pits. Make sure to leave a small portion intact at the base to hold the filling.
- The filling: In a bowl, mix honey or brown sugar, cinnamon, raisins and chopped walnuts. Add lemon juice for extra acidity (optional).
- cooking: Fill each apple with the raisin and walnut mixture, then place them in a baking tray. Sprinkle a pinch of salt on top to intensify the sweet taste. Put 2-3 tablespoons of water in the pan to prevent burning.
- cooking: Preheat the oven to 180°C and bake the apples for 30-40 minutes, until they become soft and slightly caramelized.
Tips:
- Serve the apples warm, possibly with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of Greek yogurt for a delicious contrast.
- If you want a healthier option, you can reduce the amount of sugar and add natural sweeteners like maple syrup.
Baked apples with oatmeal and almond butter
This recipe adds texture and flavor, turning baked apples into a nutritious breakfast or snack.
Ingredients:
- 4 mere
- 4 tablespoons of oatmeal
- 2 tablespoons of almond butter or peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon of maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons chia or flax seeds (optional)
Method of preparation:
- Preparation of apples: Follow the same process as in the classic recipe, removing the core of the apples and preparing them for the filling.
- The filling: In a bowl, mix the oatmeal, almond butter, maple syrup, cinnamon, vanilla extract and chia seeds. Fill the apples with this composition.
- cooking: Place the apples in a tray, add a few tablespoons of water and bake at 180°C for 25-30 minutes.
- Serve: You can serve them with a little yogurt or vegetable milk for a complete and delicious breakfast.
Baked apples stuffed with cheese and nuts
For a more sophisticated twist, baked apples can be stuffed with cheese and nuts, creating a sweet-savory combination that’s ideal for dessert or even as an appetizer.
Ingredients:
- 4 large apples
- 100 g goat cheese or ricotta cheese
- 50 g chopped walnuts
- 2 spoons of honey
- 1 teaspoon fresh chopped rosemary
- A pinch of black pepper
Method of preparation:
- Preparation of apples: Remove the core of the apples and prepare them for the filling, as in the previous recipes.
- The filling: In a bowl, mix the goat cheese or ricotta with the walnuts, honey, rosemary and a pinch of black pepper. Stuff the apples with this mixture.
- cooking: Place the apples in a baking tray and bake at 180°C for 25-30 minutes, until the apples are tender and the cheese is lightly browned.
- Serve: Serve them warm, possibly with an extra drizzle of honey and a few rosemary leaves for decoration.
Baked apples with wine and spices
This recipe transforms baked apples into an exquisite dessert with winter flavors, perfect for special occasions.
Ingredients:
- 4 large apples
- 200 ml red wine
- 2 tablespoons of brown sugar
- 1 stick of cinnamon
- 2 cloves
- 1 star anise
- Grated peel from an orange
Method of preparation:
- Preparing the syrup: In a saucepan, put the wine, sugar, cinnamon, cloves, star anise and orange peel. Simmer over low heat until the liquid reduces a bit and becomes an aromatic syrup.
- Baking apples: Wash the apples and place them in a tray. Pour the syrup over them and bake them at 180°C for 30-35 minutes, until they are soft and well soaked in wine.
- Serve: Serve the apples warm, drizzled with the wine syrup and spices, possibly with a dollop of whipped cream or ice cream.
Source: jurnalul.ro
