Name: Baked Apple Cinnamon Slices
Ingredients: Apples: (4-5 medium-sized apples) – The star of the show! Choose firm apples that hold their shape well during baking, such as Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala, or Braeburn. A mix of varieties can add complexity to the flavor.; Ground Cinnamon: (2 teaspoons) – The quintessential warm spice that complements apples perfectly. Use high-quality ground cinnamon for the best flavor.; Brown Sugar: (2 tablespoons, packed) – Adds a touch of sweetness and a hint of molasses flavor, creating a lovely caramelization as it bakes. Light or dark brown sugar works well.; Butter: (2 tablespoons, unsalted, melted) – Provides richness and helps the apple slices soften and become tender as they bake. Unsalted butter allows you to control the overall saltiness of the dish.; Lemon Juice: (1 tablespoon, freshly squeezed) – A crucial ingredient to prevent the apples from browning and adds a bright, tangy counterpoint to the sweetness. Freshly squeezed lemon juice is always preferred for its vibrant flavor.; Water: (2 tablespoons) – Creates a bit of steam in the baking dish, helping the apples to cook evenly and preventing them from drying out.; Optional: Pinch of Nutmeg or Allspice – For an extra layer of warmth and complexity, consider adding a tiny pinch of nutmeg or allspice to the cinnamon mixture. These spices enhance the autumnal flavors beautifully.; Optional: Oats or Granola – For added texture and a slightly nutty flavour, a sprinkle of rolled oats or granola can be added before baking or as a topping after baking. This adds a delightful crunch and heartiness to the dish.; Optional: Maple Syrup or Honey – For a natural sweetener alternative, maple syrup or honey can be drizzled over the apple slices before baking or after. This adds a different flavour profile and sweetness depth.

Ingredients

Apples: (4-5 medium-sized apples) – The star of the show! Choose firm apples that hold their shape well during baking, such as Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala, or Braeburn. A mix of varieties can add complexity to the flavor.
Ground Cinnamon: (2 teaspoons) – The quintessential warm spice that complements apples perfectly. Use high-quality ground cinnamon for the best flavor.
Brown Sugar: (2 tablespoons, packed) – Adds a touch of sweetness and a hint of molasses flavor, creating a lovely caramelization as it bakes. Light or dark brown sugar works well.
Butter: (2 tablespoons, unsalted, melted) – Provides richness and helps the apple slices soften and become tender as they bake. Unsalted butter allows you to control the overall saltiness of the dish.
Lemon Juice: (1 tablespoon, freshly squeezed) – A crucial ingredient to prevent the apples from browning and adds a bright, tangy counterpoint to the sweetness. Freshly squeezed lemon juice is always preferred for its vibrant flavor.
Water: (2 tablespoons) – Creates a bit of steam in the baking dish, helping the apples to cook evenly and preventing them from drying out.
Optional: Pinch of Nutmeg or Allspice – For an extra layer of warmth and complexity, consider adding a tiny pinch of nutmeg or allspice to the cinnamon mixture. These spices enhance the autumnal flavors beautifully.
Optional: Oats or Granola – For added texture and a slightly nutty flavour, a sprinkle of rolled oats or granola can be added before baking or as a topping after baking. This adds a delightful crunch and heartiness to the dish.
Optional: Maple Syrup or Honey – For a natural sweetener alternative, maple syrup or honey can be drizzled over the apple slices before baking or after. This adds a different flavour profile and sweetness depth.

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Instructions

Preheat your oven and prepare baking dish: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This temperature ensures the apples bake through without burning and allows the cinnamon and sugar to caramelize beautifully. While the oven is preheating, prepare your baking dish. An 8×8 inch square baking dish or a similar-sized round dish works perfectly for this recipe. Lightly grease the baking dish with butter or cooking spray to prevent the apple slices from sticking and ensure easy removal after baking. Using parchment paper to line the dish is another excellent option for effortless cleanup; simply lift the parchment paper out after baking.
Prepare the apples: Now it’s time to get those apples ready! Wash the apples thoroughly under cool running water to remove any dirt or residue. Using a sharp knife or an apple corer, core each apple. You can leave the peels on for added fiber and nutrients, as well as a slightly rustic texture. If you prefer a smoother texture, you can peel the apples, but leaving the peels on is highly recommended. Once cored, slice each apple into approximately ¼-inch thick slices. Aim for uniform slices to ensure even cooking. You can slice them vertically or horizontally, depending on your preference and the shape of your apples. Place the apple slices in a medium-sized bowl as you slice them.
Combine cinnamon-sugar mixture: In a separate small bowl, prepare the flavorful cinnamon-sugar mixture. Combine the ground cinnamon and brown sugar. Use your fingers or a small whisk to mix these ingredients together until they are well combined and the brown sugar is evenly distributed throughout the cinnamon. This mixture will infuse the apple slices with that classic warm, sweet, and spicy flavor we all love. If you are using any optional spices like nutmeg or allspice, add them to this mixture now and stir to incorporate.
Add lemon juice and melted butter: Pour the freshly squeezed lemon juice over the apple slices in the bowl. The lemon juice is crucial for preventing oxidation and browning of the apples, keeping them looking bright and appealing. Toss the apple slices gently with the lemon juice to ensure they are evenly coated. Next, drizzle the melted butter over the apple slices. The melted butter adds richness, moisture, and helps the apples soften beautifully during baking. Toss the apple slices again to ensure they are well coated with both the lemon juice and melted butter.
Coat apples with cinnamon-sugar: Sprinkle the prepared cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the apple slices in the bowl. Use your hands or a spoon to gently toss the apple slices, ensuring that each slice is generously coated with the cinnamon-sugar mixture. This step is key to achieving that delicious caramelized and flavorful coating on the baked apple slices. Make sure to distribute the mixture evenly for consistent flavor in every bite.
Arrange apples in baking dish: Carefully arrange the cinnamon-sugar coated apple slices in the prepared baking dish. You can arrange them in a single layer or slightly overlapping layers, depending on the size of your dish and the quantity of apple slices. A single layer will promote more caramelization, while slightly overlapping layers will help the apples retain more moisture. Arrange them neatly for an appealing presentation, or simply scatter them for a more rustic look – both ways will taste equally delicious!
Add water and bake: Pour the water into the bottom of the baking dish, around the apple slices. The water creates steam during baking, which helps to keep the apples moist and prevents them from drying out. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-35 minutes, or until the apples are tender and slightly caramelized. The baking time may vary depending on the type of apples used and your oven. Check for doneness by piercing a slice with a fork – it should be easily pierced and soft. The edges of the apple slices should be slightly golden brown and caramelized.
Cool slightly and serve: Once the baked apple cinnamon slices are done, carefully remove the baking dish from the oven. Let them cool slightly in the dish for a few minutes before serving. This allows them to cool down enough to handle comfortably and lets the juices thicken slightly. Serving them warm is highly recommended as they are most comforting and flavorful when slightly warm. You can serve them directly from the baking dish or carefully transfer them to a serving platter.
Optional Broiling for Extra Caramelization: For an even more intensely caramelized top, you can broil the baked apple slices for the last 1-2 minutes of baking. Keep a very close eye on them while broiling as they can burn quickly. Broiling will create a beautiful, slightly crispy, and deeply caramelized top layer that adds a wonderful textural contrast and enhanced flavor. This step is optional but highly recommended for those who love extra caramelization.

Nutrition

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