Description
This Warm Spiced Baked Apple Casserole is a cozy, comforting dessert featuring tender apple slices coated in a fragrant blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger, baked to perfection with a buttery, slightly crunchy topping. It’s perfect for chilly evenings and pairs beautifully with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an extra indulgent touch.
Ingredients
Scale
Apples
- 6 medium-sized apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and sliced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Spice and Sugar Mixture
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
Topping
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/3 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Serving
- Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare the baking dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray to prevent sticking.
- Coat the apples: In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples with lemon juice, tossing them well to ensure the apples do not brown and are evenly coated.
- Mix sugar and spices: In a separate small bowl, mix together granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and all-purpose flour until thoroughly combined.
- Combine apples with sugar-spice mixture: Pour the sugar and spice mixture over the apple slices, gently tossing until all pieces are evenly coated with the flavorful blend.
- Arrange apples in baking dish: Transfer the coated apple slices into the prepared baking dish, spreading them evenly for uniform cooking.
- Add melted butter: Drizzle the melted unsalted butter evenly over the apples for richness and to help create a golden top.
- Sprinkle walnuts (optional): If using, sprinkle the chopped walnuts over the top of the apples for added crunch and flavor.
- Cover and bake: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes to allow the apples to soften gently.
- Remove foil and finish baking: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the top is nicely golden brown.
- Cool and serve: Remove from the oven and allow the casserole to cool slightly. Serve warm, optionally topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an indulgent finish.
Notes
- For a nuttier flavor, you can substitute walnuts with pecans or omit them for a nut-free version.
- If you prefer a softer texture, peel and slice the apples slightly thinner.
- This casserole can be prepared a few hours ahead and reheated in the oven before serving.
- Using tart apples like Granny Smith balances the sweetness and adds a nice tang.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently in the oven or microwave.
