Description
Easy Cinnamon Baked Apples are a comforting and delicious dessert perfect for cozy nights. This recipe features tender baked apples flavored with warm cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and sweetened with coconut sugar, finished with a naturally thickened caramel-like sauce. Serve them warm with optional coconut whipped cream or vanilla bean coconut ice cream for a vegan-friendly treat.
Ingredients
Scale
APPLES
- 6-7 medium to large apples (2 tart like granny smith, 4 sweet like honeycrisp)
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp coconut oil (optional)
- 2/3 cup coconut sugar (or organic cane sugar, substitute up to half with stevia to taste)
- 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 3/4 tsp fresh grated ginger (or 1/2 tsp ground ginger)
- 1 pinch nutmeg
- 3 Tbsp cornstarch or arrowroot starch (for thickening the sauce)
- 3 Tbsp fresh apple juice or water
- 1 pinch sea salt
FOR SERVING (optional)
- Coconut Whipped Cream
- Vanilla Bean Coconut Ice Cream
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (176 C) and prepare a 9×13-inch (or similar size) baking dish.
- Prepare apples: Peel and core the apples, then quarter them. Using a paring knife, slice the apple quarters thinly lengthwise ensuring consistent thickness for even cooking.
- Combine ingredients: Place the sliced apples in the baking dish, then add lemon juice, coconut oil (if using), coconut sugar, cinnamon, grated ginger, nutmeg, cornstarch or arrowroot starch, apple juice or water, and a pinch of sea salt. Toss everything gently to combine.
- Cover and bake: Loosely cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the oven for 45 minutes.
- Finish baking uncovered: Carefully remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes or until apples are very fork tender in the center and slightly caramelized on top.
- Serve: Enjoy warm as is or topped with coconut whipped cream or vanilla bean coconut ice cream. Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days or freeze for up to 1 month. To reheat, warm in the microwave or 350 F oven covered, adding a splash of water if the sauce is too thick.
Notes
- You can substitute 1/2 tsp ground ginger for 3/4 tsp fresh grated ginger if needed.
- Store-bought vegan ice creams, such as So Delicious Vanilla Coconut Ice Cream, can be used for convenience.
- Nutrition estimates are calculated without coconut oil, apple juice, or toppings, and with the lesser number of apples.
- Thinner apple slices help the apples cook evenly and become tender.
- Use organic apples when possible for the best flavor and quality.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 35 mg
- Fat: 1 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 0.5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
