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Blooming Baked Apple: A Stunning Dessert Made Simple

Blooming Baked Apple

Firm apples are sliced into petals, filled with cinnamon brown sugar, topped with butter, and baked until tender. Serve warm with caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream if desired.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 4 apples Firm apples, such as Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala, or Granny Smith
Cinnamon Sugar Filling
  • 1/4 cup Light brown sugar, packed
  • 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
Topping and Baking Dish
  • 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup Water
For Serving
  • As desired Caramel sauce
  • As desired Vanilla ice cream

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the four apples in a small baking dish so they stand upright and have a little room around them.
  2. Cut a thin slice from the top of each apple. Carefully remove the core and seeds without cutting through the bottom, leaving the base intact.
  3. Use a sharp paring knife to make closely spaced vertical cuts around each apple. Stop about 1/2 inch above the base so the apple remains connected and can open into petals.
  4. Stir together the packed brown sugar and ground cinnamon. Divide the mixture among the apple centers, then place 1/2 tablespoon of unsalted butter on top of each filling.
  5. Pour 1/4 cup water into the bottom of the baking dish, taking care not to pour it directly over the apples. The water helps create moisture as the apples bake.
  6. Bake for 30–40 minutes, until the apples are tender and the cuts have opened. Firmer apples may need the full 40 minutes.
  7. Serve the baked apples warm with caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream, if desired. Spoon any buttery cinnamon juices from the dish over the apples just before serving.

Notes

Choose firm apples and keep the bottom completely connected. For extra insurance while cutting, place each apple between two chopsticks or wooden spoon handles so the knife cannot pass all the way through. For softer, more open blooms, loosely cover the dish with foil for the first 20 minutes, then uncover it to finish baking.