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These easy baked apples filled with gooey caramel, chocolate and cinnamon make a delicious quick dessert that can be prepared in minutes. You can even assemble them ahead of time!
Easy baked caramel stuffed apples are a much easier way to get your caramel apple fix and just as good — trust me. These are basically baked apples with caramel in the middle, and they are not as messy and are way less filling than traditional caramel apples.
I’ve been making the traditional version since my oldest was small, and like Cinnamon Apple Crisp, it’s one of our favorite fall desserts. When the kids were younger, they used to chew on the caramel a little bit, and after a few futile attempts to get a bite, I would slice the apples so that they could actually taste them. So, these are basically inside out caramel apples.
Ingredients for Baked Caramel Apples
Here are the basics. Complete amounts and directions are in the printable recipe card below.
- Granny Smith apples — These tart apples offset the sweetness
- Wrapped caramel candies — caramel squares for the caramel filling
- Semi sweet chocolate morsels — for a delicious chocolate topping
- Sea salt (optional) — Adds a salted caramel taste
- Cinnamon (optional) — adds flavor
How to Make Caramel Stuffed Baked Apples
First, you wash your apples. Next, you slice the apples down the center on a cutting board, and scoop out the middle with a melon baller or a round metal measuring spoon.
Then, place the apple halves cut side up in a shallow baking dish or on a baking sheet. No need to pour water into the dish since we’re baking apples and not steaming them.
Next, you place 1 or 2 caramel candies inside of the apples, and pop them into the preheated oven to bake. Bake the stuffed apples for 15-20 minutes or until the apples are fork tender, and the caramel is melted.
When the caramels were melted, I added some chocolate chips and a sprinkle of cinnamon. If you know me, you know I gotta add cinnamon! And since I love the taste of salted caramel, I added some sea salt over the melting chocolate.
My little guy was helping me in the kitchen today, and even he was surprised at how easy this method is!
Tips for Apples Stuffed with Caramel
If your apples are larger, you may be able to fit 3 to 4 caramel squares in the center of the apple.
To assemble ahead of time, brush the sliced apples with lemon juice or lemon lime soda to prevent browning.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in your fridge. You can reheat them in the oven or in the microwave.
Variations
There are a few ways to customize this easy baked apple recipe.
Instead of Granny Smith apples, try Gala apples, Fuji, Jonagold, Pink Lady or honeycrisp apples.
If you can’t find wrapped caramels, you can use a thick caramel sauce or make your own caramel sauce.
Try white chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips or butterscotch chips instead of semi sweet chocolate. Or, skip the chocolate layer completely.
Add a drizzle of chocolate sauce on top instead of using chocolate chips.
If you want, you can brush a little melted butter on the apple flesh before baking. And instead of just cinnamon, add a mix of cinnamon sugar for extra sweetness.
More Easy Apple Desserts
Easy Baked Caramel Stuffed Apples
Ingredients
- 3 medium granny smith apples
- 12 caramel candies
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Pinch of cinnamon if desired
- flaked sea salt if desired
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400℉
- Wash apples, cut in half, and scoop out the core.
- Place apples in small baking dish, and fill each core with 2 caramels.
- Bake in preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes, or until caramel is melted and apples are soft.
- Top each stuffed apple with a few chocolate chips, and bake for another minute or until chips are melted.
- Remove from oven and add flaked salt and cinnamon, if desired
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Can you just pop these in the fridge afterwards if you aren’t planning on eating them right away? Or will they get hard?
They would probably get too hard.