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:
Deysi says
Hello, I am wondering if I make these for a dinner party can i make them the night before and just reheat or eat cold? Thank you
Tonia says
Hi Deysi,
Sorry, I have not tried that yet. I would suggest making a couple and storing them in the fridge overnight to see how it works. Let us know if you do try it! Thanks!
~Tonia
Sharon says
Hi Tonia,
I made this recipe for my card club (without practicing first) and they loved it! I made them the afternoon of the card party but did not cook them completely, let them cool and covered. A reheat in the oven for 15 minutes did not soften the caramel enough, so I put the entire pan of 7 apples in the microwave for 3 minutes and they were very good. Next time I think I will just reheat in microwave. After reading the comments, I offered chopped walnuts. Now my card club wants the recipe! Thanks for helping me make a great dessert.
Matt McCombs says
I’m going to try this but use individual Ramekins to bake them in. I know it won’t bloom as much but I’m not really worried about that part.
Tonia says
Good idea Matt! Thanks!
Dawn says
Does these keep well if made ahead
for a dinner crowd for a dessert over a time span of say 4 PM to 8pm, do they reheat well?
Tonia says
I have not tried that yet. I would suggest making a couple of test apples to see how it goes. Let us know if you do try it! Enjoy! ~Tonia
Ashley says
I made these for dessert tonight, and I too couldn’t get them to spread all the way. That’s okay though, they still tasted absolutely incredible. My whole family loved them, and that’s definitely saying something! Will definitely be adding this one to my recipe box!
Tonia says
Wonderful! I’m so happy to hear that they liked them. I actually have one in the oven for myself, right now! I added a little maple syrup and oats this time.
Susan says
Tonia – your blog is so fun – I love all of your details. I made this recipe and we LOVED it. I am sharing it on my blog on the 25th and giving you total credit. I linked everything to The Gunny Sack! Thanks for sharing!
Vickie says
Hello,
I just made these and it was awesome…..I believe the trice for it doing the blooming apple is to get the core as close to the bottom as you can…thus giving it that blooming look..i used a melon scoop and got way to almost the bottom of the apple…hope this help anyone who is having no luck …
Doris Hart says
I think a few chopped pecans would be great on top of this too.
Shari says
I followed the recipe to the tee and my apples did not spread open like these pictures. I made sure I cut the vertical cuts all the way to the bottom . Any suggestion on what I may have done wrong?
Terry D says
maybe your circular cuts were too far from the core? Or, you did not cut close enough to the core on the verticals?
Tina says
I say why not just cut your apples up, take off the peel, I don’t care for it, and put everything on top of the apples in a baking dish?… I’m going to try it that way… might not be so talented to cut it properly to make the Blooming Apple… thanks for the idea though… 🙂
Rita says
Let me know how that turns out! The peeling seems difficult
Marcy says
Do you now have a potatoe peeler? That is perfect. I even peel avocado skin w it.
Jacquie says
Just made them for dinner tonight and they are wonderful
Char says
These are delicious with Cinnamon ice cream.
Marcy says
I’m making these for dessert tonight. Can they be made ahead of time ? So I can pop them in the oven while we eat dinner ?
Debbie says
Yes, these can be made ahead. I’ve done it with regular baked apples lots of times. You just need to zap them in the microwave to heat. Because of the sugar, it should only take about 20 seconds each to heat.
Kathryn says
This looks scrumptious!!! I just wish I had seen this recipe 2 weeks ago when my granddaughters were visiting us from Australia, they would have loved this!!! Going to surprise my husband with this one!
deborah says
We have grandkids in Australia too!
Sara says
It’s still “too”.
MafiaWife says
Fun & fantastic recipe Tonia !! Our 13 yr old is a caramel apple lover, but just got his braces on last week. He was so bummed when we went to “Apple Hill” in El Dorado, CA this weekend!!!! I made these and it rocked his world!!
Thank you Tonia for sharing this. I’m new here and excited to check out more of your posts!! <3
Michele Griffin Campione says
Share the recipe with them and do a Skype call. If they are making them at the same titime you are you’ll have smellovision!
Sherry says
I am having a hard time understanding how to cut the apple.
Lauren C says
I think I might have a hard time with that too. I am thinking maybe an onion blossom cutter gadget would work for this .
MafiaWife says
Sherry, you need tot use a short knife to score the apple half about 1/4 inch inside from the outer edge, and again 1/4 inch from the first score towards the center…. but not all the way through to the bottom. Then turn the apple over and make cuts all the way around…(like an onion, if you’ve ever seen that done.) Hope this helps.
Heather Bruggman says
I made these with Brie, brown sugar, and pecans. YUM!!!!
Tonia says
Ohhh…I love the sound of that combination! Thanks Heather!
Patty Green says
Thank you for sharing your recipe — I look forward to trying it very soon!
Tonia says
You are very welcome! Thanks for stopping by. I can’t wait to hear how they turn out for you.
Marielle Altenor says
Saw this on my news feed today and was like “Yep, that’s going in my belly TODAY!” Looks so delicious!
Tonia says
Fantastic! What a perfect way to celebrate fall! Enjoy!
Craig says
Marielle, I thought the same thing. Headed out to the grocery in a few minutes to get the caramels.
Thanks, Tonia, for sharing this fun recipe.
Tonia says
You are very welcome! Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a wonderful, autumn weekend! ~Tonia
Karen Denise says
What do you think about using two metal biscuit/cookie cutters- one a little smaller than the other to “cut” around the inside of the apple? I’m thinking my littles could help me with that part then. You could perhaps put the cutter on the counter “sharp” side up and press the flat side of the apple on to it but not all the way through.
Tonia says
Sounds like a fun idea! I would love to hear how it works out if you try it. I think the hardest part will be getting the cookie cutter to go deep and enough and then pulling it back out once it is pressed in. Either way, I hope you and your kids have fun with this recipe! If they can’t help with the cutting, they could help with mixing the topping and adding the caramels.
Becky Butler says
We tried it with the 2 cookie cutters and it worked GREAT! We’re getting ready to eat them now!
Tonia says
Sweet! That is good to know!
Karen Denise says
Thanks for trying it out. I haven’t had a chance yet, and it’s good to know it’ll work.
Sharon says
This is absolutely genius. I love baked apples in the fall but never thought of anything like this. I used an apple corer but I think you have a better idea just scooping the core out. Thanks for sharing your recipe.
Tonia says
Thanks so much Sharon!
Phoebe says
Will it be okay to peel the apple or do you have to keep the peeling on?
kateedidnt says
Definitely on!
Tonia says
Hi Phoebe,
You will have more success with leaving the peel on. It helps hold the “bloom” together. Enjoy!
~Tonia
Karen says
I’m going to try mine with a tsp/tbs of red hot cinnamon candies. Of all the suggestions given it just shows how u can make the recipe your own by adding, subtracting & substituting ingredients. Thanks for the start of a great recipe.
Tonia says
Thanks Karen! My dad is the biggest red hots fan so he would love your suggestion!
Jen R says
I wonder how these would be with the Kraft caramel bits tucked into the cuts?? 😀
Debbie Bell says
I tried this with a snack size Snickers bar! The peanuts added some crunch to the middle and the chocolate just made it that much better. I added caramel sauce and chopped peanuts and mini chocolate chips. Made a completely different taste, but equally delicious!*
Tonia says
Yum! I love your idea! Thanks Debbie!
Tiana says
WOW. This looks SO amazing, will try soon.
Tonia says
Thanks Tiana! I hope you enjoy them!
Pam says
This looks so delicious. I”m excited to try it. My husband loves apples and caramel so this is the perfect treat. Thanks for sharing, Tonia!
Tonia says
You are very welcome! Enjoy!
Laura Hippen says
I’m going to add a few oats sprinkled on the top for some texture and my own homemade caramels. Can’t wait to try these.
Tonia says
I’ll bet they are going to taste amazing like that! Thanks for stopping by Laura!
barbara says
I love this carmal apple make it fast and kids just love it and i do to thanks
Tonia says
Thanks Barbara! It’s such a fun, simple dessert that all ages can enjoy!
Tazmom says
Re the spple corer,I used a melon baller and Ida Red apples. This may be on the table for Thanksgivi g!!!
Tonia says
Thanks Tazmom! I just ordered a melon baller!
Judy says
I used to make the baked apples with brown sugar, butter and cinnamon, but this looks like a great fall recipe. Can’t wait to try it! I love carmel apples, so I’m sure I’ll love it!
Tonia says
Thanks Judy! Caramel does go hand-in-hand with apples, doesn’t it?