Blooming apples are a quick and easy dessert that will blow your mind. They are visually stunning and taste heavenly. Transform fresh apples into a gourmet-style sweet treat with a melted caramel interior and a cinnamon butter coating.
Ingredients For Blooming Apples
- Green apples
- Soft caramel squares
- Unsalted butter
- Light brown sugar
- Ground cinnamon
- Vanilla extract
- Caramel sauce
- Vanilla ice cream
How To Make Blooming Apples
- Grease an 8×8-inch baking dish with cooking spray and preheat the oven to 375 F.
- Whisk together the melted butter, light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and vanilla extract.
- Score the apples: slice the top of the apples and core them with an apple corer or melon baller. With a paring knife, make two concentric circular cuts around the center hole. Place the apple cut side down and slice crosswise being careful not to cut through the core.
- Transfer the apples to the baking dish and fill each one with two caramel chews.
- Brush them with the melted butter mixture on top and bake for about 30 minutes or until tender and “bloomed”.
- Serve warm with an ice cream scoop on top. Drizzle with caramel sauce.
Can I Make Blooming Apples Ahead Of Time?
It is better to make them just before serving. If you score the apples too soon, they might turn brown. Also, they are better served warm. If you need to make them ahead of time, bake them, store them in the fridge, and reheat them later.
Easy One-Dish Blooming Apples
Equipment
- 8x8-inch baking dish
- Apple corer, melon baller, or small spoon
- Paring knife
- Oven or air fryer
Ingredients
- 4 green apples
- ½ stick (4 tbsp) of unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tbsp packed light brown sugar
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 8 soft caramel squares
- Vanilla ice cream, optional for serving
- Caramel sauce, optional for serving
Instructions
- Grease an 8x8-inch baking dish with cooking spray and preheat the oven to 375 F.
- Whisk together the melted butter, light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and vanilla extract.
- Score the apples: slice the top of the apples and core them with an apple corer or melon baller. With a paring knife, make two concentric circular cuts around the center hole. Place the apple cut side down and slice crosswise being careful not to cut through the core.
- Transfer the apples to the baking dish and fill each one with two caramel chews.
- Brush them with the melted butter mixture on top and bake for about 30 minutes or until tender and “bloomed”.
- Serve warm with an ice cream scoop on top. Drizzle with caramel sauce.
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
What If I Don’t Have A Mellon Baller Or Apple Corer To Core The Apples?
You can use a small spoon to scoop out the core and the seeds.
How Do I Prevent The Apples From Turning Brown?
Have all your ingredients ready and get them in the oven quickly, or you can brush them with lemon juice to prevent them from oxidizing.
What Kind Of Apples Should I Use For This Recipe?
You need firm apples like Granny Smith, Fuji, or Honeycrisp. These hold up well during baking.
What If I Don’t Have An Oven?
You can make them in the air fryer or the microwave. If using the air fryer, bake them at 350 F for 15 to 20 minutes, and if using the microwave, cook them on high for about 2 to 3 minutes and check for softness. Add more time if needed.
Can I Use Something Other Than Caramel For Stuffing?
You can stuff your apples with peanut butter, chocolate chips, or fruit preserves for a twist!
What If My Apples Keep Falling Over In The Baking Dish?
You can pack them tightly against each other in the baking dish, or cut a small slice off the bottom to help them stand upright.
How Do I Know When The Apples Are Done?
You want the apples to be tender when pierced with a fork. Baking times may vary depending on the variety and size of the apples used, so it’s better to check them after the 20-minute mark.
