honey baked apples closeup

Honey-Baked Apples

These honey-baked apples are a true treat. Caramelized and served warm, they will fill your belly with an after-dinner treat that will lull you to sleep. My mother made us the very best honey-baked apples in the fall. It signified that winter was on its way, which never bothered me. I have always enjoyed the colder weather. As I grew older and learned more about cooking, I learned that “baked apples are a New England thing.”

It makes sense that Honey-Baked Apples originate from New England; that’s where my family is from

I searched the web and combined a few recipes to make a hybrid recipe for honey-baked apples. My mother baked these apples, served them warm, and filled the core with heavy cream. I can taste this now as I write! It’s also somewhat healthful. But it’s not something that I would do today. Therefore, I use Greek yogurt, coconut yogurt, or homemade almond milk that I spike with some bourbon or Grand Marnier, a dash of cinnamon, nutmeg, or both, and a dollop of honey.

apples on the tree just ripe for picking
Apples growing on an apple tree on Chesterhaven Beach Farm

You can use whatever apple you like the best.

Honey crisp apples will hold firm in the oven due to the natural crisp-crunchy texture. Granny smith apples pair wonderfully with honey since they are naturally sourer. Fuji apples mix the two, firm and crunchy, with a sweet and tart taste that can hold their own. Gala apples have a natural sweetness; you can use less honey or sugar in this recipe. Cortland apples are considered the best baking apple since they are so juicy with a uniquely sweet and tart flavor that can easily complement any recipe.

It cannot be a Bee Inspired recipe without adding our Eastern Shore Honey! We used clover honey for a mild sweetness that allows the baked apple’s natural sweetness to shine. Try mixing it with blueberry, blackberry, and even orange blossom honey for a fruity finish. These honey-baked apples are a delectable treat, much loved by all ages.

Honey Baked Apples fresh out of oven

How to Make Honey-Baked Apples

The first thing is first to preheat the oven to 375˚. It’s easy to make this honey-baked apple recipe. All you need are about a dozen ingredients. Gather up everything you need,

Here’s the list:

  • Honeycrisp or Granny Smith baking apples
  • Freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • Bee Inspired Clover Honey
  • butter
  • Apple cider
  • Ground nutmeg
  • Ground cinnamon
  • Chopped nuts, walnuts, almonds, or pecans
  • Brown sugar
  • Dried fruit, chopped figs, cranberries, cherries, or raisins
  • Heavy cream, greek yogurt, or ice cream for serving (optional)

Making Honey-Baked Apples

apple tree with green apples shot on chesterhaven beach farm
Granny Smith Apple Tree on Chesterhaven Beach Farm

One: Prepare the Apples

Use a melon baller to scoop the cores and stems out of each apple, keeping the base of the apple intact. Peel a strip of skin from around the top of each cavity.

mixing honey baked apple stuffing close-up

Two: Prepare the filling

Mix dried fruit, sugar, nuts, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a large bowl, and set aside. Place the apples right side up in a buttered baking dish that is small enough to hold them snugly.

Honey baked apples prepared in baking dish

Three: Stuff the Apples

Fill each cavity with 1-2 teaspoons of honey and butter pats cut into small pieces and lemon juice, then Fill each core with the dried mixture. Place a butter pat on the apple hole filled with the mixture. Drizzle honey on top of all the apples. Pour cider into the baking dish.

Honey baked apples being filled with honey

Four: Bake and serve

Bake for 25 minutes, then cover with foil and continue baking until tender, 10 to 20 minutes more. Transfer the apples to shallow bowls for serving and drizzle with juice from the baking dish. Alternatively, to make a caramel-like dessert sauce, pour the juices into a small saucepan and simmer over medium heat until reduced to syrup; drizzle over the apples. Serve warm, filled with heavy cream, yogurt, or ice cream if desired.

Eating honey baked apple

I hope you enjoy these honey-baked apples as much as I do. They are a true treat that will fill your belly and lull you to sleep. Caramelized and served warm, they are the perfect after-dinner dessert. This is a must-try recipe if you have never had baked apples before! Please share them with us!

Cranberry honey next to tea mug and cranberries

Next time we make these apples in the fall, we are DEFINITELY going to use our new limited edition Cranberry Honey!

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Honey Baked Apples Tall Pin

Kara holding a hive frame in doorway of cabin

About the Author

Kara waxes about the bees, creates and tests recipes with her friend Joyce, and does her best to share what she’s learning about the bees, honey, ingredients we use and more. Read more about Kara