Description
Baked Hasselback Apples are a delightful autumn dessert featuring sliced apples fanned out and baked with a spiced buttery brown sugar topping mixed with nuts and oats. This recipe offers a cozy, warm treat that balances sweet, spicy, and nutty flavors with a tender yet slightly firm apple texture perfect for serving as a wholesome dessert or snack.
Ingredients
Apples
- 2 large apples (peeled, halved, and cored)
Butter Mixture
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (divided)
- 1/4 cup firmly packed light or dark brown sugar (divided)
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (divided)
Spices and Flour
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- Pinch salt
Topping
- 2 tablespoons chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts, or hazelnuts)
- 2 tablespoons rolled oats
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and coat a 2-quart baking pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking during baking.
- Slice Apples: Place apples cored side down and make cuts almost all the way through at 1/4-inch intervals, leaving about 1/8 inch intact at the bottom to keep the slices connected. Then place the apples in the prepared pan, cut side up.
- Prepare Butter Mixture: Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a small bowl, stir in 1 tablespoon brown sugar and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon until combined.
- Brush Apples: Evenly brush the melted butter mixture over the apples, coating all the slices and exposed surfaces.
- Bake Covered: Cover the pan with foil and bake for 20 minutes to partially soften the apples while retaining structure. After baking, set the pan on a wire rack and let it cool for about 10 minutes.
- Make Topping: Cut the remaining butter into cubes (cold or cool). Using a pastry blender, fork, or fingers, combine butter, 3 tablespoons brown sugar, flour, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cardamom, allspice, and salt. Fold in chopped nuts and rolled oats until mixture resembles crumble.
- Fan Apple Slices: Use two forks or butter knives to gently fan the apple sections apart slightly, creating space for the topping without breaking the apples.
- Add Topping: Carefully spoon the topping mixture over and between the apple slices, pushing some of it down into the slices to fill gaps and add texture.
- Final Bake: Return the apples to the oven and bake uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes, or until apples are fully baked but still slightly firm to the touch, providing a nice bite without being mushy.
- Serve: Serve the baked apples warm, garnished as desired, such as with a sprinkle of additional nuts, a dollop of whipped cream, or a scoop of ice cream for extra indulgence.
Notes
- Be careful not to cut all the way through the apples to keep them intact during baking.
- Use firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best texture that holds up to baking.
- You can substitute nuts according to preference or omit for nut-free version.
- For added flavor, try serving with vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and gently reheated in the oven before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
