Easy Baked Apple Slices with Spiced Syrup
This is the most versatile (and easiest!) apple dish I make. It can be a dessert on its own, a topping for ice cream and cheesecake or a sweet side dish for the holidays. It's quick to assemble (10-15 minutes) and you don't need to peel the apples.
Servings 4 servings
Ingredients
- 3 or 4 medium-large baking apples a mix of green and red is ideal
- ¼ cup unsalted butter melted
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ⅓ cup brown sugar light or dark
- 1 teaspoon apple pie spice or to taste. Only cinnamon or another mix of warm spices also work
- pinch of salt
- 2 tablespoons flour
- ½ cup coarsely chopped pecans optional
- vanilla ice cream or whipped cream optional, to serve
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Slice 3 or 4 medium-large baking apples thinly, skin-on or peeled. You want apple wedges approximately ¼ inch (6mm) thick.
- Place them in a large bowl. Add ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted, 3 tablespoons maple syrup, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, ⅓ cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon apple pie spice (or 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon), a pinch of salt and 2 tablespoons flour. Mix well until all the slices are evenly coated.
- Pour the apple mixture into a medium baking dish. I use this 7x10-inch ceramic dish. Sprinkle ½ cup coarsely chopped pecans on top, if using.
- Bake for approximately 30 minutes, until the apples are tender and lightly browned, and the syrup is bubbling.
- Gently toss to coat the apple slices with the syrupy sauce that formed during baking. Let cool until warm on a wire rack before serving.
- Serve on its own, with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, making sure you drizzle some of the cinnamon syrup over it (the best part!).
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container. I don't recommend freezing.
Notes
Apple choice: A mix of sweet and tart apples gives the best flavor. I normally use Granny Smith, which holds the shape, with Honeycrisp or Fuji apples to add sweetness. Adjust to your preference and use your favorite seasonal apples.
Use it for different occasions. It's a perfect apple side dish for Thanksgiving and Christmas, an excellent topping for my cheesecake pie or as part of a brunch table for waffles, French toast, pancakes or classic crepes.
