Citrus Free Honey-Cinnamon Baked Apples
Warm, caramelized baked apples are one of those desserts that feel far more impressive than the effort they actually require. Each apple is cored and packed with a buttery oat filling spiced with fragrant Ceylon cinnamon and a hint of ground ginger, then baked until the skins wrinkle and the filling turns golden and set. A drizzle of honey at the end adds a glossy, floral sweetness that ties everything together beautifully. The whole thing comes together with pantry staples and fresh fruit — no citrus juice, citrus zest, or citrus-derived ingredients anywhere in the recipe, which makes it a genuinely stress-free choice when you need to avoid that entire ingredient family. A splash of water in the baking dish creates gentle steam, so the apples stay moist and tender all the way through rather than drying out in the oven. Finish each one with a dollop of fresh ricotta if you want a creamy, slightly tangy contrast to the warm spiced filling. It's the kind of cozy, crowd-pleasing dessert that works just as well on a weeknight as it does at a dinner party.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 4 medium baking apples (such as honeycrisp or fuji)
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
- 3 tbsp honey
- ⅓ cup rolled oats
- 1 tsp ground ceylon cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- ⅛ tsp fine salt
- ½ cup water
For serving
- 1 tbsp honey, for drizzling
- 2 tbsp fresh ricotta (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 1½ inches deep — leave the bottom intact so the filling stays in place.
- 2
In a small bowl, stir together the softened butter, 3 tbsp honey, rolled oats, Ceylon cinnamon, ground ginger, and salt until a cohesive, crumbly mixture forms.
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