Baked Apple Slices Cinnamon (Printable)

Tender apples baked with cinnamon and brown sugar for a warm, sweet delight.

# What You Need:

→ Fruit

01 - 4 medium apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and sliced

→ Sweeteners & Spices

02 - 3 tbsp packed brown sugar
03 - 1 tsp ground cinnamon
04 - 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg (optional)

→ Liquids

05 - 2 tbsp melted unsalted butter
06 - 1 tsp vanilla extract

→ Other

07 - Pinch of salt
08 - 2 tsp lemon juice

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease an 8x8 inch baking dish.
02 - In a large bowl, toss sliced apples with lemon juice to prevent browning.
03 - Add brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg if using, vanilla extract, melted butter, and salt to the apples and toss until evenly coated.
04 - Spread the coated apple slices evenly in the prepared baking dish.
05 - Bake for 25 minutes, stirring halfway through, until apples are tender and sauce bubbles.
06 - Serve the baked apple slices warm, alone or with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in just 10 minutes of prep, leaving you with warm comfort food and zero stress
  • The apples transform into something tender and deeply caramelized, tasting far more indulgent than the simple ingredients suggest
  • You can serve it five different ways—on its own, with ice cream, over oatmeal, stirred into yogurt, or piled on pancakes
02 -
  • Don't skip the lemon juice—I once forgot it and ended up with brown, oxidized apples that looked unappetizing even though they tasted fine. The lemon keeps them looking like fall, not autumn decay.
  • Stir halfway through baking. This single step ensures even cooking and prevents the apples on top from drying while the ones on the bottom turn to mush.
  • Use real vanilla extract, not imitation. I can't explain exactly why, but your palate will know the difference.
03 -
  • Use a baking dish that's roughly 8x8 inches so the apples cook in a single even layer and the sauce concentrates rather than spreading thin
  • Fresh spices are non-negotiable here—buy small quantities of cinnamon and nutmeg and replace them every six months so they still taste bright and alive
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