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.
Denise says
I love this recipe! First time I made it just for two and placed the apples in individual bowls – small Correll ones worked great. The space allowed the apples to blossom open. Today, I’m making them the 11 and using a large baking dish. Either way, they’re definitely a family favorite! Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Kim says
Any suggestions for the caramel for the inside of the apple and a good caramel sauce since I’ve never bought either of those before.
Can’t wait to try these tomorrow!
Caitlyn says
I couldn’t find any of the square caramels at the store, so I used Kraft Caramel bits I found near the chocolate chips and other baking supplies, and just filled the apples with them – maybe 6 or 7 each? For the sauce on top, we had a jar of smuckers caramel ice cream topping already – they turned out wonderfully.
Alisa says
Kraft caramels. Or Brachs caramels. In the candy isle of your store.
Kelli says
If you can find Mrs. Richardsons caramel you will be AMAZED!! I have tried ALLLLLLL kinds of caramels and this is by FAR THE BEST!!! We eat JARS of it at our place!! It has a brown label with a gold top. yummmmmmmm. I’m going to try this recipe tomorrow…can’t wait!!!
Tonia says
Sounds perfect! Thanks Kelli!
Shannon says
Awesome
Sheryl says
These sound absolutely delish! How about using a melon baller to core the apples, if no apple corer is available? I know I use my melon baller to core all kinds of stuff ( remove cucumber seeds, pear cores, even hollowing out small pumpkins) 🙂
Jessie says
A pinch of salt makes this even better than it already is!
Ruth Walker says
My mother said her mother-in-law used to say, “Put a pinch of salt in everything that has sugar in it and a pinch of sugar in everything that has salt in it.”
Marian says
Try a grapefruit knife.. It makes cutting that circular design oh so easy ! And yes Tonia, this recipe is oh so yummy !
Tonia says
Great idea Marian! I will have to buy one. Thanks!
Cheryl says
Have made these the past 2 nights using Coronado caramel sauce (really, really yummy I got to buy some more of it!)
I have smaller apples so 20 minutes was all it took for them to get super soft
But I found that turning them upside down gave me a bigger circle to work with & I was able to still make the two circle cuts….never as straight as yours though.
Thanks for the recipe it is a keeper!
Tonia says
Thanks for the tips Cheryl! The Coronado caramel sauce sounds delicious. Where do you buy it?
Cheryl says
It was on clearance at Kroger. I didn’t think I would be able to taste a difference (it’s made with goat’s milk) but it’s really good. Thicker than other caramel toppings too
Tonia says
I don’t have a Krogers but I will have to see if I can find it somewhere else. Thanks!
GWEN NEWELL says
Krogers is associated with Fred Meyers and they have a lot of the same products In fact I think they own Fred Meyers.
We don’t have a Krogers but we do have several Fred Meyers stores in Washington State Also Fry’s Grocery is owned by Krogers and they are all over Arizona
verla piercy says
I just wanted to tell you that Smiths grocery store carries Kroger products and they are delicious I haven’t tried this yet but I know they will be delicious and I am glad to know you can buy sugar free caramels. I will have to look for them. Thanks for this wonderful sounding rcipe I have been craving caramel apples
Dana Castor says
The Coronado Caramel is Cajeta – Walmart also carries it. Yummy on toast also. There are three kinds of it too.
You could also try Dulce de Leche – another canned caramel sauce.
Kitty Donovan says
I found the square caramels at the veggie dept at Walmart or food City
Regina says
Tonia, I would like to make them at work. Can the dessert be made in a microwave? I am on my way to the store and will bake two tonight at home. I enjoy sharing at work and thought it might work.
Thanks,
Regina
Tonia says
Hi Regina,
I have not tried making them in the microwave, but I did find a Betty Crocker recipe for microwave baked apples that you can look at: http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/microwave-baked-apples-with-granola/d29e8850-4807-4364-a736-fcf632931c3e
Best of luck!
~Tonia
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.