Bloomin Baked Apples Recipe
Introduction
Bloomin Baked Apples are a cozy and elegant dessert perfect for any season. These tender apples are filled with a spiced brown sugar mixture and baked until caramelized and fragrant. A simple treat that feels special with every bite.

Ingredients
- 4 medium baking apples (such as Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Fuji)
- 0.5 cup light brown sugar (packed)
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 0.25 cup unsalted butter (cold and cubed)
- 0.5 tsp vanilla extract
- 0.125 tsp salt
- 0.5 cup water
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish or a similar size that fits the apples snugly.
- Step 2: Wash the apples thoroughly. Using a paring knife or an apple corer, carefully remove the core from each apple without cutting through the bottom.
- Step 3: Place each apple stem-side down and make parallel cuts about 1/4 inch apart from the top, fanning the slices but keeping the base intact to create a blooming effect.
- Step 4: In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and salt until well combined.
- Step 5: Spoon the spiced sugar mixture into the center and between the fanned slices of each apple. Press gently, then tuck small cubes of cold butter into the center and between slices.
- Step 6: Transfer the filled apples to the prepared baking dish. Pour the water into the bottom of the dish around the apples.
- Step 7: Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the sugar mixture is bubbly and caramelized. Halfway through baking, spoon some pan juices over the apples to keep them moist and glossy.
- Step 8: Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes. Serve warm, drizzled with any remaining pan juices.
Tips & Variations
- Use firm baking apples that will hold their shape, such as Granny Smith or Fuji, for the best texture.
- Add chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans to the sugar mixture for extra crunch and flavor.
- Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a decadent touch.
- Replace water with apple cider in the baking dish for extra depth of flavor.
Storage
Store any leftover baked apples in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or a warm oven before serving to restore their softness and warmth.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use other types of apples for this recipe?
Yes, you can use other apples, but choose varieties that hold up well to baking, like Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Fuji. Softer apples may become too mushy.
How do I prevent the apples from drying out during baking?
Pouring water into the baking dish and regularly spooning the pan juices over the apples halfway through baking helps keep them moist and tender.
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Bloomin Baked Apples Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Delight in these Bloomin Baked Apples, a warm and comforting dessert featuring tender, fanned apples filled with a sweet cinnamon and brown sugar mixture, baked to perfection with butter and vanilla. Perfect for cozy nights or a wholesome treat, this recipe highlights the natural sweetness and texture of baking apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith.
Ingredients
Apples and Filling
- 4 medium baking apples (such as Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Fuji)
- 0.5 cup light brown sugar (packed)
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 0.5 tsp vanilla extract
- 0.125 tsp salt
- 0.25 cup unsalted butter (cold and cubed)
- 0.5 cup water
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prep Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish or a similar size that fits the apples snugly to prepare for baking.
- Core and Slice the Apples: Wash the apples thoroughly. Using a paring knife or apple corer, carefully remove the core from each apple without cutting through to the bottom. Place the apples stem-side down and make parallel cuts about 1/4 inch apart from top to bottom, making sure not to slice all the way through to create a ‘blooming’ effect. Gently fan out the slices for filling.
- Mix the Spiced Sugar: In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, ground cinnamon, vanilla extract, and salt. Stir the mixture well until evenly blended.
- Fill the Apples: Spoon the spiced sugar mixture into the center of each apple and carefully fill between the fanned slices. Press down gently. Add small cubes of cold unsalted butter in the center and tuck a few more pieces between the slices to enhance richness and flavor.
- Arrange and Add Water: Place the filled apples upright in the prepared baking dish. Pour 1/2 cup water into the bottom of the dish around the apples to create steam during baking, helping keep the apples moist.
- Bake the Apples: Bake the apples for 30-40 minutes until they become tender to the fork and the brown sugar mixture is bubbly and caramelized. Halfway through baking (after 15-20 minutes), spoon some of the pan juices over the apples to keep them moist and give a glossy finish.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the apples carefully from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes. Serve warm, drizzled with any remaining pan juices for extra flavor and moisture.
Notes
- Choose firm baking apples such as Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Fuji for best results.
- Be careful not to cut through the bottoms of the apples to keep the ‘blooming’ shape intact.
- Cold butter cubes help create pockets of rich flavor as they melt during baking.
- Adding water to the baking dish ensures the apples stay moist and prevents burning of the sugar.
- This dessert can be served alone or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: baked apples, cinnamon apples, fall dessert, healthy dessert, apple recipe, baked fruit

