Shellfish Free Ginger-Cardamom Baked Apples with Walnuts
Warm, fragrant, and naturally sweet, these baked apples are the kind of dessert that makes the whole kitchen smell like a spice market in the best possible way. Firm apples like Honeycrisp or Braeburn hold their shape beautifully in the oven, turning tender and lightly caramelized while a filling of walnuts, honey, fresh ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, and turmeric bakes into something almost jammy and deeply aromatic. Melted coconut oil binds the filling together and helps it mound up in that gorgeous, rustic way that looks far more impressive than the effort involved. A lemon-water bath poured around the apples keeps everything moist and creates pan juices you'll want to spoon generously over the top before serving. The optional pomegranate seeds scattered at the end add a jewel-like pop of color and a bright, tart contrast to all that warmth and sweetness. Every single ingredient here is straightforward and plant-based, so there's zero guesswork about what's in your bowl — just honest, feel-good food that happens to taste extraordinary. It works equally well as a dinner party showstopper or a cozy weeknight treat you can pull together with pantry staples.
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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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