When you need one more thing to serve for dinner and you have apples on hand, baked apples with butter make a wonderful addition to the meal. Great when you want something easy, this is a kid-friendly option that everyone will enjoy.
Apples (see note below)
Butter
Optional:
Brown sugar or honey
Ground cinnamon
Chopped nuts, raisins, oats, or a drizzle of maple syrup
Preheat the oven to 375° F.
Wash and core each apple, leaving the bottom intact to create a small well for the filling.
Place the apples in a baking dish.
Put a pat or two of butter in each apple.
Sprinkle on the optional ingredients of your choice.
Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the apples are tender but not falling apart.
Serve warm. For an extra treat, add a dollop of yogurt, whipped cream, or ice cream.
Baked apples with butter are a reminder that dinner — or dessert – doesn’t have to be complicated to be exciting. This dessert idea is a simple, wholesome treat, and kids can have fun choosing which apples to bake and what to put on them!
Any kind of apple will do for a quick addition to dinner. Firm apples hold up well, and soft ones may be like a compote, still yummy.
A Simple Menu Idea with a Sweet Finish
A few ideas for a quick and balanced meal to go with your baked apples:
Start with a salad or raw vegetables like carrots or cucumbers, served with a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of sea salt.
Follow with a hearty bowl of soup, such as lentil or vegetable soup. (Homemade soup is a great freezer staple—just warm and serve!)
Finish the meal with baked apples, with or without a dollop of vanilla yogurt, ice cream, or home-whipped cream.
With just a little prep, this three-course meal is elegant and nearly effortless when you have a few simple ingredients in hand.
If you want to add a little something else to the meal to please everyone, two excellent no-cook options are the French cheese course or some charcuterie.
Bon appétit!
