Description
These Baked Apples with Feta, Honey, and Cranberries offer a delightful blend of sweet and savory flavors. Tender baked apples are filled with a spiced mix of crumbled feta cheese, dried cranberries, and nuts, then drizzled with honey and baked to perfection. This warm dessert is perfect for cozy evenings or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Apples
- 4 large apples (such as Honeycrisp or Granny Smith)
Filling
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Other
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons honey
- Lemon juice (optional, to prevent apples from browning)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the proper temperature for baking the apples evenly.
- Prepare Apples: Core the apples carefully, creating a hollow cavity in the center while keeping the bottom intact so the filling doesn’t leak out. If desired, rub the exposed apple flesh with lemon juice to prevent browning.
- Make Filling: In a small bowl, mix the crumbled feta cheese, dried cranberries, cinnamon, nutmeg, and chopped walnuts or pecans if using. This combination brings a balance of savory, sweet, and warm spice flavors.
- Stuff Apples: Fill each apple cavity with the feta and cranberry mixture, pressing down gently to maximize the filling inside.
- Arrange Apples: Place the stuffed apples upright in a baking dish to keep their shape intact during baking.
- Add Butter: Cut the unsalted butter into small pieces and place them on top of each stuffed apple to add richness and promote caramelization.
- Drizzle Honey: Drizzle honey over the tops of the apples, allowing it to seep into the filling for added sweetness and a glossy finish.
- Initial Bake: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, until the apples become tender but still hold their shape.
- Caramelize Tops: Remove the foil and continue baking the apples for an additional 5 to 10 minutes to caramelize the tops lightly, creating a delightful texture and flavor contrast.
- Cool and Serve: Once baked, remove the dish from the oven and let the apples cool slightly before serving. This allows the filling to set and prevents burns.
Notes
- Use tart apple varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for balanced sweetness and firmness.
- Chopping the nuts finely will help them blend better with the filling.
- Lemon juice is optional but helps prevent the apples from browning after coring.
- Serve warm for the best flavor and texture experience.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute feta with a crumbly vegan cheese.
