Description
These Caramel-Stuffed Bloomin’ Apples are a delightful autumn dessert featuring firm, crisp apples filled with gooey caramel squares, brushed with a buttery cinnamon sugar mixture, and baked to tender perfection. Served warm with vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce, they offer a perfect balance of sweet and spiced flavors in a visually stunning presentation.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Apples
- 4 firm, crisp apples (such as Honeycrisp)
- 8 chewy caramel squares
For the Butter Mixture
- 4 Tbsp melted butter
- 1 Tbsp packed brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
For Serving
- Vanilla ice cream
- Caramel sauce for drizzling
- Cooking spray (for greasing)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Butter Mixture: Preheat your oven to 375°F or set your air fryer to 350°F. In a small bowl, whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and ground cinnamon until well combined.
- Prepare the Apples: Slice the tops off each apple and carefully use an apple corer to remove the core, stopping before reaching the bottom to keep the base intact. Place each apple cut-side down and make thin crosswise slices around the apple, making sure not to cut all the way through the bottom, creating a blooming effect.
- Stuff the Apples: Insert two caramel squares into the core cavity of each prepared apple. Then, using a brush, generously coat the tops and the crevices of the sliced apples with the cinnamon butter mixture.
- Cook the Apples: For oven baking, lightly grease a baking dish with cooking spray and place the apples inside. Bake at 375°F for approximately 30 minutes or until the apples are tender. If using an air fryer, place the apples in the basket and cook at 350°F for about 20 minutes until tender and caramel melted.
- Serve: Remove the apples from the heat and serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side and a generous drizzle of caramel sauce over the top.
Notes
- Choose firm, crisp apples such as Honeycrisp for the best texture and flavor.
- Be careful when slicing the apples to avoid cutting through the bottom, which holds the caramel in place.
- You can adjust baking time based on your oven or air fryer and apple size; apples should be tender but hold their shape.
- Serve immediately for the best taste and appearance.
- Optionally, add chopped nuts or a sprinkle of sea salt for added texture and flavor contrast.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 apple with toppings
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 32 g
- Sodium: 85 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
