Description
This easy baked apple slices recipe is a perfect answer for a simple, delicious dish that fills your home with the sweet, spiced scent of comfort. It transforms humble apples into a tender, flavorful treat, ideal for healthy weeknight meals, snacks, or sides.
Ingredients
Scale
- 900g-1kg (4–5 medium) firm, sweet-tart apples (like Honeycrisp or Fuji)
- 15ml (1 tablespoon) fresh lemon juice
- 55g (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter
- 80g (0.33 cup, packed) light brown sugar
- 2.5g (1 teaspoon) ground cardamom
- 60ml (0.25 cup) water
- 5ml (1 teaspoon) orange blossom water (or a tiny splash of orange extract)
- 5ml (1 teaspoon) alcohol-free vanilla extract
- 30g (0.25 cup) shelled, unsalted pistachios, finely chopped (for garnish)
- Zest of 0.5 medium orange, finely grated (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prep Apples: Preheat oven to 190°C (375°F) and lightly grease an 8×8 inch (20×20 cm) baking dish. Peel, core, and slice apples into uniform 0.5 cm (0.25 inch) thick wedges. Place them in a large bowl and toss gently with the lemon juice to prevent browning.
- Combine Glaze Ingredients: In a small saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Stir in the light brown sugar, ground cardamom, and water. Bring this mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring continuously until the sugar is fully dissolved (about 2-3 minutes). Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the orange blossom water and alcohol-free vanilla extract.
- Bake to Perfection: Arrange the lemon-tossed apple slices in the prepared baking dish in an even layer. Pour the warm cardamom-orange blossom glaze evenly over the apples, ensuring they are well coated. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for another 20-30 minutes, or until the apples are tender when pierced with a fork and the glaze has thickened and caramelized slightly. Baste the apples once or twice during this uncovered period. Remove the dish from the oven and let the baked apple slices rest for 5-10 minutes.
Notes
To avoid mushy baked apple slices, choose firm varieties (e.g., Honeycrisp, Fuji), slice uniformly to 0.5 cm (0.25 inch), and check for doneness at the lower end of baking time. Ensure apples are well-coated with glaze and baste during uncovered baking to prevent dryness. For variations, reduce brown sugar or use a plant-based butter.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 0.75 cup)
- Calories: 210 calories
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 5 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
Keywords: baked apple slices, easy recipe, healthy snack, dessert, side dish, comfort food, cardamom, orange blossom, fruit dessert, autumn recipe