Old Fashioned Baked Apples
Cozy and nostalgic, these old-fashioned baked apples are an easy, comforting fall dessert made with cinnamon, brown sugar, and tender apples.
There’s nothing quite like the scent of cinnamon, butter, and apples wafting through the kitchen on a crisp fall day. These Old-Fashioned Baked Sliced Apples are a simple, nostalgic dessert that brings back memories of grandma’s kitchen and cozy Sunday dinners. Made with basic pantry staples and no fuss, this recipe is perfect for any time you’re craving comfort in a bowl.
Looking for more apple recipes? Check out Cake Mix Apple Cobbler, Apple Dapple Cake, and Red Hot Cinnamon Apples.
Recipe at a glance
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Ingredients you will need
Whether you serve them warm with ice cream or spoon them over oatmeal in the morning, these baked apples are guaranteed to be a family favorite. To make this old fashioned baked apples recipe, you will need:
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
- Apples – firm, slightly tart apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Rome hold their shape best during baking while turning soft and tender.
- Brown Sugar – adds sweetness and a touch of molasses flavor, which caramelizes as the apples bake, creating a warm, rich sauce.
- Cinnamon – the signature spice that makes baked apples taste (and smell!) like fall. It brings warmth and coziness to every bite.
- Nutmeg – just a pinch deepens the flavor, giving the apples a subtle nutty-spice note that pairs perfectly with cinnamon.
- Butter – adds richness and helps the sugar and spices cling to the apples while baking, creating that glossy, caramel-like coating.
- Apple Cider (or Water) – a splash of liquid keeps the apples moist as they bake. Apple cider boosts the flavor with extra apple goodness, while water works if you want to keep it simple.
Substitutions and variations
- Apples: Use any variety you like! Granny Smith for tartness, Honeycrisp for sweetness, or a mix for balanced flavor.
- Brown Sugar: Swap with coconut sugar, maple syrup, or honey for a different natural sweetness.
- Butter: Use coconut oil, vegan butter, or even olive oil for a dairy-free option.
- Spices: Try adding ground cloves, ginger, or allspice for extra warmth. Pumpkin pie spice also works as a shortcut.
- Nuts: Pecans, walnuts, or almonds add crunch, but you can leave them out if you prefer nut-free.
- Dried Fruit: Raisins, dried cranberries, or chopped dates add chewy sweetness.
- Liquid: Apple cider gives the richest flavor, but water, orange juice, or even a splash of bourbon or rum (for adults) can be used.
How to make old fashioned baked apples
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare the apples by peeling (if desired) and thinly slicing them. Place apples in a large bowl.
Step 2: To the apples, add brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, melted butter, pecans, and raisins. Toss everything together until the apples are evenly coated.
Step 3: Pour the mixture into a greased 8×8-inch casserole dish. Spread evenly over the bottom of the baking dish. Pour the apple cider or water over the top.
Step 4: Bake covered with foil for 20 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake uncovered for another 10–15 minutes, until the apples are soft and bubbling.
Serving Suggestions
- Classic Dessert: Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of homemade whipped cream.
- Breakfast Twist: Spoon over yogurt, buttermilk pancakes, waffles, or oatmeal for a cozy morning treat.
- Topping Idea: Use as a filling for crepes or layer it into parfaits with granola.
- Holiday Side: Pair with Spatchcocked Smoked Turkey, Bourbon Glazed Ham, or Chili Rubbed Air Fryer Pork Chops for a sweet and spiced accompaniment.
- On Toast: Spread over buttered toast, Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits, or Southern Skillet Cornbread for a simple snack.
- Gift Idea: Jar it up and share with family or friends during the holidays.
If you enjoy warm baked fruit, you might also enjoy Hot Curried Fruit or Baked Pineapple Casserole with Ritz Crackers.
Storage, freezing, and reheating instructions
Storage. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezing. These baked apples freeze beautifully! Let them cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. To prevent them from sticking together, you can freeze in single-serving portions on a parchment-lined baking sheet first, then transfer to a container.
Reheating. In the microwave, reheat single servings in 30-second intervals until warm. In the oven, place in a baking dish, cover with foil, and reheat at 350°F for about 15 minutes, or until heated through. On the stovetop, gently warm in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally.
Old Fashioned Baked Apples FAQ’s
Firm, tart-sweet apples like Honeycrisp, Rome, Granny Smith, Pink Lady, Golden Delicious, Fuji Apple, or Braeburn work best because they hold their shape and don’t turn mushy.
Yes! For firmer apples, leave the peels on. For softer, apples, you’ll want to peel them first. It’s all about personal preference.
Yes! Cook on LOW for 2–3 hours or HIGH for 1.5–2 hours, until the apples are soft. Stir occasionally for even cooking.
Yes. The apples will be very tender—closer to stewed apples or apple pie filling in texture. Place the sliced apples in the pot along with the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, butter, raisins/nuts (if using), vanilla, and liquid (water or cider). Stir gently to combine. Secure the lid and set the valve to Sealing. Cook on High Pressure for 2 minutes. Allow a 5-minute natural release, then quick release any remaining pressure. If you’d like a thicker, syrupy sauce, turn on Sauté mode and simmer for 2–3 minutes, stirring frequently. You can also mix one teaspoon cornstarch with one tablespoon cold water and stir it into the apples to thicken.
Tried This Recipe? Let Me Know!
If you made Old Fashioned Baked Apples, I’d love to hear how it turned out! Your ratings and reviews help others find the recipe and give me great feedback too.
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Old-Fashioned Baked Apples
Ingredients
- 4 large apples cored, peeled and thinly sliced
- ¾ cup brown sugar packed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ cup chopped pecans or walnuts optional
- ¼ cup raisins
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons butter melted
- ¼ cup apple cider or water
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Grease an 8 x 8-inch baking dish.
- In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, nuts, raisins, vanilla, and melted butter until evenly coated.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly. Pour the apple cider over the top to help create a syrupy sauce as it bakes.
- Cover the dish loosely with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil, then bake uncovered for another 30 minutes, or until apples are tender and bubbling.
- Stir the apples gently before serving to coat the apples in the cooking liquid.
This recipe is simple, cozy, and makes the whole house smell like fall while it’s baking. The apples come out tender and perfectly spiced, with just the right balance of sweetness from the brown sugar and warmth from the cinnamon and nutmeg. I love that it doesn’t require anything fancy—just everyday ingredients I usually have on hand.