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. Post is sponsored by Socialstars.
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 apples which were developed right here at the University of Minnesota! Last week, I bought these apples in the Walmart produce department. They had a huge variety of apples with great prices! Walmart produce is fresh, farmer picked with a 100% money back guarantee.
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.
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 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!
Bloomin’ Baked Apples Recipe
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.
Video
Nutrition
Here are a few more Bloomin’ Recipes for you to try:
Dakota says
Do you know the nutrition facts for these? Like the carb count? My daughter has Type 1 diabetes so I have to calculate the carbs for everything she eats. Thanks.
-Dakota
Tonia says
Hi Dakota,
If you make it exactly as listed, with medium size honeycrisp apples (2-3/4″ dia), the nutrition facts, according to MyFitnessPal, for ONE bloomin apple would be:
Calories: 341
Carbs: 56
Fat: 13
Protein: 2
Sodium: 136
Sugar: 45
I am not a nutrition expert, so I would suggest doing your own calculations. I have a niece with Type 1 so I know how important know the numbers are! Enjoy!
~Tonia
Kim says
Thank you for posting the nutrition facts!!! My son also has type 1 and would love this for a special treat… Just gotta know the carb count
Tonia says
You are very welcome! Enjoy! ~Tonia
Marla says
Thanks! My daughter is type 1 and I appreciate the info!!
Meagan says
Omit the caramels and sub half the sugar for a well tolerated zero cal sweetner and they will still tatse amazing, that is how I made them.
Tonia says
Thanks for the suggestions Meagan! I’m happy to hear you enjoyed them!
Jocelyn says
I’ve been looking for different recipes to make with apples… My family loves apple desserts, was getting bored making the old standbys time after time… This is a new take on an old classic, we love it… Thank you so much for sharing it with us…
Tonia says
Thanks Jocelyn! I totally understand! It’s fun to mix things up now and then. I hope your family loves these as much as mine did!
~Tonia
Asuhoru says
Gonna try this at the firehouse. Im sure theyll love it! Man Im glad I came across this.
Aloha!
Tonia says
Aloha Asuhoru! You are going to make them happy with just the smell of them baking! Enjoy!
sally says
Hi Tonia,
Saw the blooming apple today on Pinterest and I made them this evening. They turned out great. I didn’t have caramels in the house so I simply omitted them and filled the center with more of the brown sugar and butter. In addition, I used a homemade version of pumpkin pie spice. The whole concept of “blooming” the apple is superb! Next time I will be sure to add the caramels! Thanks for sharing.
Sally
Tonia says
Hi Sally,
Wonderful! I’m so glad they turned out for you and I’m happy to know that they taste great even without the caramels. Thank you for stopping back to let me know.
~Tonia
Joyce says
Do you leave the “blossom” at the lower part of apple throughout the baking time? At any time do you remove it or is that up to the person eating the Apple Blossom “Pie” to do?
Tonia says
Hi Joyce,
This was my first time making baked apples! I looked at lots of different baked apple recipes and I noticed that they do leave the bottom intact. It helps to keep the juices and spices inside the apple. Plus, for this recipe, keeping the bottom intact holds the apple together. Happy Baking!
~Tonia
Tammy says
I saw these a couple days ago on Pinterest and had to make them. They are so cute! I took them out at 25 minutes, but one was much harder than the other, so I put it back in for five minutes. It came out perfect! I don’t think you necessarily need two caramels, but either way this is a keeper. Thank you!
Jamielyn@iheartnaptime says
This is seriously genius! Shared on pinterest and facebook and my readers loved it too! Thanks for sharing. xo
Tonia says
That is awesome! Thanks so much for the support Jamielyn!
Shannon says
Is it the same bake time if you were to do six apples, rather than 2?
Tonia says
Hi Shannon,
I would suggest trying the same baking time for 6 apples. Check the apples to see if they are tender enough and bake a few minutes longer if necessary. Happy Baking!
~Tonia
Cheryl says
This is really good – thanks so much for the recipe ! Not sure that we get these apples in South Africa but sure that it will taste equally good with other types.
Tonia says
Thanks Cheryl! Yes, I think they would be delicious with other apples too!
Joanne says
Ok yes thanks. I thought they looked like pascalls. Will be trying this out for sure!
Joanne says
Hi, i’m in Australia and was just wondering what type of caramels you use? Are they lolly caramels or like fudge caramel?
Tonia says
Hi Joanne! They are soft, chewy caramels, almost like the homemade ones. The brand I used is Kraft like the ones you can find here: http://www.kraftbrands.com/caramels/products/default.aspx Maybe they are like your Pascall Columbines?
Teresa Young says
Whoa! These look amazing!
Tonia says
Thanks so much Teresa!
Liz Thompson says
I bet it would also be delicious with condensed milk on top of the apples, instead of caramel and brown sugar. I gotta try this… Yummy!!!!
Max Dogg says
Sneaky ad for Wal-Mart.
Tina says
Thanks. I was thinking the same. Nice looking recipe beyond the fake caramels and the questionable apples. You can always do what I plan to do which is purchase all natural caramels, make my own all natural caramel sauce, use my own homemade ice cream and get my apples locally from an organic farm that I know is also GMO and pesticide free.
lolhippies says
please tell me this is satirical. xD
Kellye says
Yes, please tell us that you were trying to be “funny”, Tina. Really unnecessary. :/
angela says
Hi Tina,
While I can appreciate your wanting to eat and live healthier, before you go attacking everything about everyone else please put these things in your mind:
1) Do you wear all natural, breathable cotton? Well, all of your cotton clothing items comes from cotton seed that has been genetically modified in order to increase growing production, decrease growing time, and increase the plants’ ability to fight pests.
2) Are you a soy fanatic? While extremely healthy, soybeans for food production such as tofu are also genetically modified to increase those plants’ ability to fight off destructive pests and to increase the yield.
3) Do you use (even organic) corn oil and corn syrup? All corn seed for corn grown to use with these items has been, guess what?, genetically modified for increased production to meet consumer demand. And even your organic red meat may come from cows that ate corn in their feed that came from these same plants
Other readers, please be aware that there are, per the USDA, (3) three categories of “organic”, each being a little less chemically altered. Even the most organic category allows for the use of items such as Miracle-Gro. Buying locally of course has been proven to be healthier than ordering from across the globe. Living a healthy lifestyle will not make you more so for putting those down who may not do the same.
Kris Mc. says
Amen, well said! Always be kind, and if you can’t say anything nice, best to zip it until you can! =D
nancy hugick says
Amen Angela!!! All the hipe about organic kills me.i for one don’t trust it.unless you have your own garden.i for one don’t care for bugs in an on my food., an real organic foods have bad spots etc.your right about all the other organic things.My mother is almost 100.an yes for yrs had here own garden but for yrs.when she couldn’t ate food from the store.everything in moderation.enjoy your life!! Apple sounds great…cant wait to try.
Sternberg says
Buy local has never been proven to be healthier. That is pure urban legend. Every plant and every animal mankind has ever used for food or fiber, or any other purpose has been genetically modified over the years.
It is nice to have your own garden and fruit trees, but not 1% of us could raise enough for our own subsistence.
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