Artificial Food Coloring Free Ginger-Cardamom Baked Apples with Walnuts
Warm, fragrant, and deeply satisfying, these baked apples are the kind of dessert that makes the whole kitchen smell incredible. A spiced walnut filling packed with fresh ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, and a hint of turmeric gets pressed into cored Honeycrisp or Braeburn apples before they roast low and slow until completely tender and caramelized at the edges. Every single ingredient here is whole and recognizable — no dyes, no artificial additives, nothing that requires a label check. Honey and coconut oil bind the filling naturally, while a splash of lemon juice in the baking liquid keeps things bright and balanced. The optional pomegranate seeds at the end add a jewel-like pop of color that's entirely the real thing. It's an elegant, fuss-free recipe that works just as well as a weeknight treat as it does on a holiday table.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 4 large firm baking apples (such as honeycrisp or braeburn)
- ¾ cup raw walnuts, roughly chopped
- 3 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, finely grated
- 1 tsp ground cardamom
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
- ⅛ tsp fine sea salt
- 2 tbsp coconut oil, melted
- ½ cup water
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
For serving
- 2 tbsp pomegranate seeds (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Using a melon baller or small spoon, core each apple from the top, removing the seeds and creating a cavity about 1 inch wide and 2 inches deep, leaving a solid 1/2-inch base so the filling stays in.
- 2
In a small mixing bowl, stir together the walnuts, honey, grated ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, turmeric, salt, and melted coconut oil until the mixture is evenly coated and holds together loosely.
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