Description
Delight in these warm, comforting Baked Apples stuffed with tangy feta, sweet honey, and tart cranberries — a perfect cozy night dessert or snack bursting with balanced flavors and a hint of spice.
Ingredients
Scale
Apples
- 4 pieces Firm Apples (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith)
Filling
- 1 cup Feta Cheese, crumbled (or goat cheese as substitute)
- 1/2 cup Dried Cranberries (or raisins/chopped dried cherries)
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon (or nutmeg for spice variation)
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract (pure vanilla preferred)
Topping
- 1/4 cup Honey (or maple syrup for vegan alternative)
- 2 tablespoons Butter (or plant-based butter for dairy-free option)
- 2 tablespoons Fresh Mint, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a baking dish with butter or cooking spray for easy removal later.
- Core Apples: Carefully core each apple to create a hollow pocket at the bottom without cutting through the base, ensuring a space for the filling.
- Mix Filling: In a bowl, combine the crumbled feta cheese, dried cranberries, ground cinnamon, and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly for an even blend of flavors.
- Stuff Apples: Generously fill each cored apple with the cheese and cranberry mixture, pressing the filling in so it stays securely inside.
- Drizzle and Top: Place the stuffed apples in the prepared baking dish, drizzle each with honey, then add a small pat of butter on top to enrich the baking process and flavor.
- Bake Covered: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes, allowing the apples to soften while retaining structure.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for another 5-10 minutes until the tops of the apples are slightly browned and caramelized.
- Serve: Allow the baked apples to cool slightly, then garnish with freshly chopped mint before serving warm for a cozy treat.
Notes
- Choose firm apple varieties like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for best texture and to hold filling well.
- Substitute goat cheese for feta to vary flavor or for a milder option.
- Use maple syrup instead of honey to make the recipe vegan-friendly.
- Butter can be replaced with plant-based butter for dairy-free versions.
- For more spice complexity, try adding a pinch of nutmeg along with cinnamon.
- Ensure apples are cored carefully to avoid breaking the bottom.
- Serve warm to enjoy melty cheese and soft apple textures.
