Name: Baked Apple Cinnamon Slices
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 4 medium Apples (approx. 1.5 lbs / 680g): Firm, crisp apples work best. Varieties like Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith (for more tartness), or Braeburn are excellent choices as they hold their shape well during baking and offer a good balance of sweet and tart flavours.; 2 tablespoons Unsalted Butter, melted (or Coconut Oil for vegan): Adds richness and helps the apples soften beautifully. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the saltiness of the dish. Coconut oil is a great vegan alternative that adds a subtle tropical note.; 2 tablespoons Brown Sugar (packed, or Maple Syrup/Honey): Provides sweetness and a hint of molasses depth. Maple syrup or honey can be used as natural liquid sweetener alternatives, offering slightly different flavour profiles. Adjust the amount based on the sweetness of your apples and personal preference.; 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon: The star spice! Provides that classic warm, comforting flavour synonymous with baked apples. Ensure your cinnamon is fresh for the best aroma and taste.; 1/4 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg (optional): Adds another layer of warmth and complexity to the spice blend. Pairs beautifully with cinnamon and apples.; 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice (optional): Helps to prevent the apples from browning excessively and adds a subtle brightness that balances the sweetness.; Pinch of Salt: Enhances all the other flavours, balancing the sweetness and bringing out the apple and spice notes.

Ingredients

Scale

Here’s what you’ll need to create these wonderfully aromatic and delicious baked apple cinnamon slices:

4 medium Apples (approx. 1.5 lbs / 680g): Firm, crisp apples work best. Varieties like Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith (for more tartness), or Braeburn are excellent choices as they hold their shape well during baking and offer a good balance of sweet and tart flavours.
2 tablespoons Unsalted Butter, melted (or Coconut Oil for vegan): Adds richness and helps the apples soften beautifully. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the saltiness of the dish. Coconut oil is a great vegan alternative that adds a subtle tropical note.
2 tablespoons Brown Sugar (packed, or Maple Syrup/Honey): Provides sweetness and a hint of molasses depth. Maple syrup or honey can be used as natural liquid sweetener alternatives, offering slightly different flavour profiles. Adjust the amount based on the sweetness of your apples and personal preference.
1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon: The star spice! Provides that classic warm, comforting flavour synonymous with baked apples. Ensure your cinnamon is fresh for the best aroma and taste.
1/4 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg (optional): Adds another layer of warmth and complexity to the spice blend. Pairs beautifully with cinnamon and apples.
1 tablespoon Lemon Juice (optional): Helps to prevent the apples from browning excessively and adds a subtle brightness that balances the sweetness.
Pinch of Salt: Enhances all the other flavours, balancing the sweetness and bringing out the apple and spice notes.

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Instructions

Follow these simple steps to bake your apple cinnamon slices to perfection:

Preheat Oven & Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a baking dish (an 8×8 inch or similar size pie dish works well) with butter or cooking spray.
Prepare the Apples: Wash the apples thoroughly. You can choose to peel them or leave the skin on for extra fiber and a more rustic look. Core the apples using an apple corer or a sharp paring knife. Slice the apples into uniform rings or half-moon shapes, about 1/4 to 1/3 inch thick. Consistent thickness ensures even cooking.
Toss with Lemon Juice (Optional): If using lemon juice, place the apple slices in a medium bowl and gently toss them with the lemon juice to coat. This helps prevent browning while you prepare the other ingredients.
Mix Spices and Sweetener: In a small bowl, combine the melted butter (or coconut oil), brown sugar (or maple syrup/honey), ground cinnamon, optional ground nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Stir well until everything is evenly combined into a fragrant slurry.
Coat the Apples: Pour the cinnamon-sugar mixture over the apple slices in the bowl. Gently toss the slices until they are all evenly coated with the spice mixture. Be careful not to break the slices.
Arrange in Baking Dish: Arrange the coated apple slices in the prepared baking dish. You can layer them slightly overlapping or arrange them in a single layer if your dish is large enough. Ensure they are spread out reasonably evenly for consistent baking.
Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven. Bake for 20-30 minutes, or until the apples are tender when pierced with a fork but still hold their shape. Baking time may vary slightly depending on the apple variety and thickness of the slices. The apples should be soft, slightly translucent around the edges, and the kitchen should smell amazing!
Rest and Serve: Once baked, carefully remove the dish from the oven. Let the baked apple cinnamon slices rest for a few minutes before serving. They will be very hot. Serve warm as desired.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes

Nutrition

Serving Size: one normal portion
Calories: 200
Fiber: 5g