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:
Rue says
I made these yesterday and they were AMAZING! I used gluten free bisquick for the flour and milk maid butter rum Royals for the caramels because I don’t care for those square caramels. (Royals are those caramels with the flavors in the middle that you can usually only find in the brachs bins. If you don’t know them, you should go meet them. I’m not an ad, I just really like candy.) But two tiny changes for health and preference didn’t seem effect anything too much, (though my topping was pretty runny) and both my fella and I were very sad that I only made two last night. These are going to become quite common in my house. Thank you for sharing! 🙂
Tonia says
The Milk Maid Butter Rum Royals sound like a delicious addition! I’m so happy you enjoyed them. Thanks Rue!
Jan says
This is a simple idea that sounds fantastic. I plan on doing this tomorrow…..and it’s a recipe that people can adjust for their own tastes. Kudos to you.
Tonia says
Thanks Jan! Yes, you can add whichever spices, caramels, sugars or toppings you want!
Toni says
Can these be prepared ahead of time, I.e. day before, then baked prior to serving?
Katie D says
I would assume you could but you’d have to brush lemon juice on the apples to keep them from browning.
Tonia says
I’ve never tried that, but I agree with Katie that you would have to do something to prevent the apples from browning. Best of luck! ~Tonia
Anne says
I can’t wait to try this, have the apples and other ingredients, just need to get the carmels and unwrap them.lol
Tonia says
Perfect! Thanks Anne!
Nequesha says
WOW. I made these today, after saving up my calories. SOOOOOO GOOD! I used Royal Gala apples, which I think tasted just as good. The only thing was that my caramels and topping didn’t stay in the centre, but once I put it on a plate, I just spooned it back on top and put ice cream over it. Great recipe. Happy I tried it.
Tonia says
Fabulous! Thanks for letting me know Nequesha!
DeeDee says
SCORE! I can hardly wait to get in the kitchen and surprise my family with this delicious treat.
Way to go. These are easy to do, look yummy and everyone will enjoy a taste of Autumn. We will be adding this to our holiday traditions.
Tonia says
Thanks so much DeeDee!
Janelle Gerrard says
These look delicious!! Do you think they would work in a crock pot??
Tonia says
Hi Janelle,
I’ve never tried making apples in a crockpot, but I found this recipe online: http://www.southernplate.com/2011/09/old-fashioned-slow-cooker-baked-apples.html
Best of luck!
~Tonia
Donna Smithd says
Great idea, thanks I’m trying this on my DKG group meeting I. My home in Nov. thanks very much. You can use coconut flour, suppose to be more healthy for us. Thanks to all for sharing.
Tonia says
Wonderful! I hope everyone loves them! Thanks Donna!
Carrie S. says
These look divine! I think these will be tonight’s dessert. Since I am gluten free, I am going to sub corn starch for the flour. Since it is a thickening only ingredient, using 1/2 the corn starch should suffice….i look forward to posting how it turns out!
Patricia says
Hi Carrie. I was just wondering how the corn starch worked out in this recipe.
Tonia says
Thanks for the suggestion Carrie!
Rob Eastman says
So, I was thinking…mixing some quick oats, with the brown sugar and butter topping would add an apple crisp type topping.
Tonia says
I agree! Quick oats would be a great addition. Thanks Rob!
Rob says
Will be trying this tomorrow…..any ideas on incorporating bacon?
Tonia says
Ohhhh…I think you are onto something! I did a quick search and there is a recipe for baked apples and bacon on the Food Network: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/baked-apples-and-bacon-recipe.html What came to mind was something with a little heat like adding chili powder to brown sugar mixture. Something along the lines of this Sweet and Spicy Bacon Wrapped Meatballs recipe of mine: http://www.thegunnysack.com/2014/08/sweet-spicy-bacon-wrapped-meatballs.html Good luck and I look forward to hearing what you come up with!
~Tonia
Dawn says
My mouth is watering sooo bad!! I would love to try this recipe. I bet it makes the house smell great too!!
Tonia says
Thanks Dawn! It sure does!
Marla says
We made these today.Omg,sooo amazingly great! Thanx for sharing.
Tonia says
Fantastic! I’m so happy to hear that! Thanks Marla!
Julie says
If I wanted to make these gluten free, should I leave out the flour, try gluten free flour, or substitute corn starch?
Nancy says
My boys don’t like apple skin. Will these hold together if I peel the apple first?
Tonia says
I have not tried that, but I think the peel helps hold the “bloom” in place. But your boys probably wouldn’t care about the blooming part and would be more interested in the delicious dessert! Thanks Nancy!
Tonia says
Yes, I would try using gluten free flour.
ann says
Made these tonight for dessert – in the oven as we ate our meal. A thumbs up! My apples were still crunchy…were yours?
Tonia says
I’m happy to hear that you tried them. Ours certainly weren’t mushy, but more like the apples in apple pie. Thanks Ann! ~Tonia
Susan says
I love this idea! I’ve used caramels in lots of other recipes before, and sometimes substitute Rolo’s or Milk Duds for the caramels to kick it up a notch and add a bit of chocolate to the final product, and now I’m wondering if these would be good that way. I always love those caramel apples that are drizzled with both chocolate and caramel. I’m seeing a taste-test in my future, with half made your original way and half made with Rolo’s! You are a very creative cook!
Tonia says
Thank you Susan! My favorite way to eat caramel apples is when they are coated with mini M&M’s so I completely understand that line of thinking!
Shirley says
I can’t wait to make these
Cathy Smith says
Oh my good gravy, what kind of sweet torture is this? Ok if I try real hard I can justify this for a diabetic, ummmmm it’s fruit! my doctor is ok with the fat but the carbs is an issue, I know carbless candy!!! THIS IS what that’s for dinner tonite!! Bless you child for making the saying an apple a day keeps the doctor away!!
Tonia says
You are wonderful Cathy! How about using a sugar alternative, or cutting back on the sugar in the recipe to keep your doc happy? Enjoy! ~Tonia
Susan says
Cathy, try Splenda brown sugar and just skip the caramels. One of the other comments said they made them without the caramel and they were still fabulous! I, too, am diabetic, but will gladly give up all my other carbs for the day to be able to eat one of these!
Cathy Smith says
I MADE “EM!! Yeeehaw they were licious. My daughter tho, bless her heart, got honeycrisp apples the size of small cantaloupes. They took 3 caramels each. I really made only one change on just 1 of them, mine. I added a tsp of oats (heart healthy =) ya know). They took an hour but oh my good gravy were they good. Oh I did make my son in law’s Bourbon Caramel sauce to drizzle over the top. Believe me they were over the top. He said how can a baked apple taste so decadent? Well ya know there had to be something to that apple thing, or why would Satan tempt Eve with on, and I would bet it was filled with caramel, and topped with a completely evil combination or brown sugar, butter and cinnamon. Thank ya Tonia and my family thanks ya, oh and my sweet Boston Terriers thank you also cause I made one for them.
Tonia says
Woohoo! You are a hoot! I would love to get a cup of coffee with you so we could chat and eat decadent food together! I love that you made one for you Boston Terriers too!
G says
I’d like to serve these at an evening event. Can they be baked the day before or is it best to be served warm?
Tonia says
Hello,
I would recommend serving them warm right after baking. Since they are so easy to make, try making a couple tonight and then see how are they are tomorrow. The caramels will harden as it cools so maybe if it does work, add caramel sauce to the center of the apples before serving rather than using caramel during baking. Best of luck!
~Tonia
MARY says
One way to get around all the ‘unwrapped’ or ‘wrapped’ caramel controversy is to use caramel ice cream topping. Seriously, this will alleviate the caramel hardening and you could make these ahead and just reheat.
J-Lynn says
Amen, Mary. Perfect advice!
Tonia says
Thanks for the suggestion Mary! That would be delicious!
Darryne says
These look amazing! Just want to say kudos to you for not responding to the negative nancy, or too much time on her hands Tina, but I’m not as sweet as you. Hey Tina, if all your time wasn’t spent putting other people down and putting yourself on your organic, homemade, GMO free pedestal N you would have time to chain yourself to the front doors are Monsanto, and really do some good. You are what is wrong with society, spend less time tooting your own horn and more time, doing something nice, like maybe, saying thanks for the idea. No one really cares how great you think you are. It is a recipe blog, and a good one at that, get over yourself. I totally understand if my comment has to be removed, but please let it stay long enough for her to see it. Might be her only wake up call.
Christy says
Thanks for saying what I was thinking.
Dottie says
I was so happy when I read your post, I was just getting ready to post something to that effect. Thanks for saying what the rest of us wanted to say