Bloomin’ Baked Apples taste like apple pie with an ooey, gooey caramel center! This is an easy dessert recipe for fall and it’s made with Honeycrisp apples.
Every year we wait for the fall and apple season to come around! Growing up, we had an apple tree in our backyard. I remember my grandmother coming over to help my mom freeze apples. We had an apple peeler/corer that was a big help. My mom froze the apples for pie filling.
All winter long we would have delicious, homemade apple desserts. This year, we are already enjoying the apple season. I used some of our apples to make these delicious Bloomin’ Baked Apples. This was my first time making baked apples and I am so excited not only about how tasty they were but also about how easy they were to make.
Our favorite apples are Honeycrisp apples which were developed right here at the University of Minnesota!
How To Cut The Apples
To get the blooming apple look, you need to cut the apples. Slice off the top 1/4 to 1/3 of the apples. Scoop out the core with a melon baller or a stainless steel measuring spoon.
Then, use a thin paring knife to make two deep, circular cuts around the center of the apple. Next, turn the apple over and make narrow cuts all the way around the apple. Flip it back over and you can see all of the cuts.
How To Make
Place the apples in a small oven-safe dish and put two chewy caramels in the center of each apple.
Heat butter and brown sugar in the microwave for 30 seconds, stir and continue heating for an additional 30 seconds. Remove from the microwave and stir in flour and cinnamon. Divide the mixture over the top of the two sliced apples.
Bake at 375˚F for 25-30 minutes. Remove from the oven and use a large spoon to move the apples into bowls. The outside layer of apple pieces will spread out and the middle will stick together due to the ooey, gooey caramel center!
**Update…I made myself another bloomin’ baked apple last night and I had to cook it for 45 minutes. I would suggest that you check your apples after 25 minutes and then continue cooking them until they are tender. The cook time will depend on the size and firmness of the apples.**
Top with a scoop of ice cream, drizzle with caramel sauce and sprinkle with cinnamon. The ice cream will cause the caramel in the center to harden, so eat it quickly or put the ice cream scoop on the side. After taking the pictures, I immediately had to try these Bloomin’ Baked Apples.
Zack asked me what it tasted like because he could tell I was thoroughly enjoying it. I explained that it tastes like apple pie. He asked me if I meant for it to taste like apple pie and luckily that is just what I was going for! I’ve made these Bloomin’ Baked Apples three times now and they were delicious each time. My daughter and her friend loved them!
More Bloomin’ Recipes
Bloomin' Baked Apples Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 2 Honeycrisp apples or other crisp apples
- 2 tablespoon butter
- 3 tablespoon brown sugar packed
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 4 caramels
- Optional toppings: vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce, and cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- To get the blooming apple look, you need to cut the apples. Slice off the top 1/4 to 1/3 of the apples. Scoop out the core with a melon baller or stainless steel measuring spoon.
- Use a thin paring knife to make two, deep circular cuts around the center of the apple. Next, turn the apple over and make narrow cuts all the way around the apple. Flip it back over and you can see all of the cuts.
- Place the apples in an oven safe dish and put two caramels into the center of each apple.
- Heat butter and brown sugar in the microwave for 30 second, stir and continue heating for an additional 30 seconds. Remove from the microwave and stir in flour and cinnamon. Divide the mixture over the top of the two sliced apples.
- Bake at 375 for 25-30 minutes. (Check apples after 25 minutes and continue cooking until tender. Some apples can take 45 min to 1 hour to soften.)
- Remove from the oven and use a large spoon to move the apples into bowls.
- Top with a scoop of ice cream, drizzle with caramel and sprinkle with cinnamon. The ice cream will cause the caramel in the center to harden so eat quickly or put the ice cream scoop on the side.
Nancy Weber says
Sounds yummy, but did you really mean to say “put 2 UNWRAPPED caramels”?
Tonia says
Hi Nancy,
Yes, please remove the cellophane wrapper from around the caramels before putting them in the apples. Cellophane is not edible. If you don’t unwrap the caramels, the cellophane will melt into the caramels while the apples are baking the oven. Happy Baking!
~Tonia
Meagan says
Honestly its a bit sad that you have to say that.
Leslie Jester says
What a genius you are. Such good advice. I wish everyone was as smart as you but not as tacky.
Cathy robillard says
I don’t think I’ve ever laughed this hard reading comments about a recipe . I will definitely try this during the holidays and I will remember to remove the wrapping from the caramels lol. Omg I can’t stop laughing
Dana says
Tonia,
Can you omit the flour?? I’m a gluten-free eater!
Tonia says
Hi Dana,
The gluten helps to thicken the cinnamon sugar topping, but you can make it without it. They will still taste great, but the cinnamon sugar topping will be more runny. Happy Baking!
~Tonia
kim says
You could always use gluten free flour
miranda says
Use cornstarch 🙂
Cathy says
I only see one comment from someone that actually made these wonderful-looking Blooming Apples but they still had them in the oven.
Has anyone made them and can comment on the finished product?
Really interested in comments from people who made these.
Thanks!
Tonia says
Hi Cathy,
Not sure if my opinion matters, but I made them 3 times and they turned out great each time! Happy Baking!
~Tonia
Codi says
I found these on Pinterest earlier today and just had to try them! I got the apples from our commissary and spent the whole grocery store trip thinking about making these! They are currently in the oven and my whole house smells so good. I can’t wait for the next 20 minutes to be over so my husband and I can try these!!! Great idea!!!
Tonia says
Yum! I can just imagine it! They taste like warm, fresh apple pie. Enjoy!
Diana says
Just went to the store and bought all the ingredients to make these this weekend!
Danni@SiloHillFarm says
Hi Tonia! I’ve been on a bit of a blogging break and was cruising pinterest and found this recipe. Oh My Goodness! The picture alone made me want to make this today! I was thrilled to see that it was you and your blog, which by the way, looks great! Thanks for sharing this recipe and I’m heading to the store today!
Tonia says
Wow Danni! What a sweet comment. You really made my day. Thank you!
Lori in Maine says
Gee, I hope no one minds if I just comment on this cool recipe? Tonia, I don’t have any kids left at home but I I’m going to make this for me and my husband tonight! Since I don’t have any caramel here at the house I thought I’d try Rollos. After all, they’re just caramel wrapped in chocolate. I’m guessing two to three for each apple will do the trick. Thank you so much for sharing and I do have honey crisp in the fridge. Yay!
Tonia says
The more popular a recipe is, the more trolls come out! Just ignore all of them. I am very happy that you took the time to leave a comment and I hope you and your husband enjoy your dessert! ~Tonia
The Food Explorer says
Hi Tonia,
Your delicious recipe has been nominated as one of the “Top 100 Best Apple Recipes of 2014 for National Apple Month”. You and your readers can vote for it here: http://thefoodexplorer.com/fruit-2/100-delicious-apple-recipes-for-national-apple-month/ (position #6 – random order).
Chichi says
This looks so amazing. I am drooling, literally
Tonia says
LOL! They were sooo good! Thanks Chichi!
Tina @ Tina's Chic Corner says
What lovely memories. 🙂 My husband and I had our 3rd date apple picking so apples have a special place in my heart too. These apples are gorgeous and I’m living this recipe!
Tonia says
Really, that is so sweet! Thanks Tina!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
Bloomin’ baked apples. . this is BRILLIANT!!! love this so much!!
Tonia says
Thanks so much Alice!
marcie says
This is such an incredible (and delicious!) idea! 🙂
Tonia says
Thank you Marcie!
Julie @ A Warrior and A Nurse says
Growing up, admittedly, I had a bit of a love affair with apples. I just couldn’t get enough of them. Like you, we had an apple tree in our backyard as well. Earlier this week, my son and I went apple picking while my husband was at…so far I haven’t done anything quite this creative this year with apples…I will definitely have to give this one a try!
Tonia says
It’s wonderful growing up with an apple tree! You get to eat apples whenever you want and enjoy baked treats. Thanks Julie!
Tonia says
Thanks Erin! You are a sweetheart!
Teresa says
These look amazing. Thank you so much for showing the pictures of how you did this.
Tonia says
You are very welcome! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Julia says
What a creative idea! This looks so perfect for fall.
Tonia says
Thanks Julia! Fall is all about the apples & pumpkins!
Jenn @ Deliciously Sprinkled says
I LOVE these bloomin baked apples!!! They look delicious, and I love the step-by-step photos! 🙂
Tonia says
Thanks Jenn! I seem to be drawn to taking the step-by-step photos for some reason. Then, I hear other food bloggers take a max of 10 minutes to take their photos and I realize that I need to start doing a mix of blog posts…some with step-by-step pics and others with just the final dish.
Beth @ The First Year says
This is probably the most amazing thing to do with apples! You knocked it outta the ball park Tonia!
Rachel Rockwell says
Those look delicious! Great idea!
Tonia says
Thanks Rachel! I just know we are going to be making these often!
Jane's Adventures in Dinner says
You are pretty much the cleverest person ever. Just awesome.
Tonia says
Awww…thanks Jane! You are so sweet!
Rhonda says
All I can say is “YUM” !!!
Tonia says
Thanks Rhonda! That is what I said too!
bETTY says
BETTY, WHAT HAPPENS TO THE WRAPPER ON THE CARAMELS?
Tonia says
Hi Betty,
The recipe calls for unwrapped caramels. Just remove the cellophane wrapper from around the caramels and throw them in the garbage before putting the caramels into the center of the apples. Happy Baking!
~Tonia
Becky says
Good answer, Tonia.. 🙂
WeBeYarnin says
LOL
Annabelle says
You can buy unwrapped Carmel bits now in the baking section. I find mine at Walmart but I am sure they are available everywhere. For those of us who may be cellophane challenged. They are about pea sized. Just throw a few in the apple, and your good to go!
Susan says
I tried the caramel bits that come in a bag last year. Yuck! They are not nearly as good as the old fashioned Kraft caramels used to be.
Sandy says
Really?
LC says
Seriously?
Chantalle says
omg … Stop right there .. Lol if you aren’t aware your suppose to take it off you shouldn’t be baking or eating caramels for that matter.
rita says
Amen! Hope she was just joking, but who knows.
Lauren says
Can we all get over this Carmel wrapper crap and start baking? Grow up!!
Holli says
OMG LAUGHED SO HARD I SNORTED!!! Was thinking the EXACT same thing… and then I got worried… does this woman drive? If she does I’m turning in my license. On the upside, I’m pregnant and CANNOT WAIT to try these out! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Shirley says
Take the wrapper off before you put it on the apple
Meagan says
It says to “place two UNWRAPPED varams into the center of each apple”
Doris says
What about peeling the apple first? Has everyone simply left the peel on? I’ve baked apples in the microwave that you core and place a teaspoon of brown sugar, walnuts and raisins, but I don’t like to eat that cooked peel.
Katie says
Maybe you should have someone else do the cutting of the apple.
Kellie says
Not trying to start any drama, but Betty asked a simple question. Sure, those who cook/bake a lot may “know” to remove the cellophane, but there is no reason to be rude or impolite about it. I find it sad that people feel the need to respond with catty and sarcastic answers.
That said, I hope you all have a terrific day, and Betty, you never know who else had the same question to ask!
Thanks for the recipe, Tonia! Looks great!
Leslie Jester says
Thank you. That’s exactly how I felt. I have severe arthritis in my hands and can sometimes not get my fingers to do simple things. I guess all the ladies with the catty comments are perfect specimens.
BETH says
You Rock Kelly!! Love your response as you took the words right from my thoughts. Except I wish none of the cruel people a good day! You are a better spokes person than I!!
Pam Robertson says
I agree Kelly. Perhaps she just misunderstood the directions. No need to embarrass anyone. Be nice people!
Susan Carmickle says
I do not see the point of the caramels. You say in the comments that the ice cream makes them harden. I love a baked apple with just the sugar and cinnamon and flour is a nice touch.
Icanteven says
Ha!
Sami says
You take it off before you bake them
Really says
Are you kidding me??
Icanteven says
Seriously?
Linda Sherman says
“Unwrapped” means there is no wrapping on the caramels
Dianna says
I am so happy to see this recipe!! MANY years ago my Grandmother made baked apples & all I could remember was the butter inside. Now I know she also added the caramel inside. After baking, we put Fresh whipping cream on top!! They lived on a farm with milk cows so the cream was separated from the milk & beaten with a hand beater!!! My mouth is watering just thinking about this!!!
Tonia says
Thanks Dianna! What a wonderful memory of your Grandmother!