*Jan. 25th Update : Thanks for voting these Almond Butter Baked Apples into today’s Foodbuzz top 9!
I originally created this recipe during the holiday season for Honest Cooking. The article was about baking an easy and fast recipe for the hectic time of the year. But I started thinking to myself that I like to bake apples year round. I do so because they are a healthy dessert that involves like no brain power or muscle power whatsoever, plus the cleanup is minimal. Perfect for everyone’s busy lives.
I don’t know about you but it is a rare occasion that I cook dinner and bake or prepare a dessert for the same meal. Don’t get me wrong I do like my sweets now and then. But when I’m spending time preparing, cooking, photographing, cleaning up and writing down recipe notes, the time really adds up. The last thing on my mind is adding time to prepare a dessert. Those occasions when we want to end our dinner on a sweet note we usually reach for a yogurt. Luckily hubby doesn’t have a sweet tooth otherwise I’d have to re-think it all.
Often times I am amazed at how so many of you manage your time. Many of you have children, 9-5 jobs, plus manage to run your blogs and cook dessert all in one day. Wait that’s not even mentioning having time for all the other “everyday” stuff. I’m tired just writing that. What the heck is my problem? Well the list is long but I can’t put my finger on which is to blame for the lack of time.
Anywhoo, I know many of you are super talented bakers who’s skills I can only dream of. To you this might seem too simple of a recipe, and it is. But I say give it a chance. Sometimes we can all be amazed that the simplest foods often times are some of the best. Okay these may not be the world’s best baked apples but they’re pretty darn good. Here’s how you make them.
Almond Butter Baked Apples
Ingredients
Apples, properly rinsed
Almond Butter, (I bought mine at the local health-foods/organic market)
oats
EVOO
salt
crushed flax seeds, optional
baking sheet or dish
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 200c or 392f and have baking sheet or dish ready. Hold the apples on their sides to cut off the tops, save these tops. Use a small pairing knife to gently core the apples. You only want to remove the core but not too much of the apple. Rub a little olive oil around the apples, the sprinkle a little bit of salt on the apple skin. Stuff a few oats into the cored bottom of the apple, this is to block draining. Next place about 1 tbsp Almond Butter into the apple core. Sprinkle some crushed flax seeds over the top then use the cut apple top to cover. Place on baking sheet or dish in center of oven.
2. Bake for 15 minutes or until your apples are soft. Allow to cool slightly before serving. I bet they would taste even better with a scoop of ice cream.
Almond butter is much like peanut butter or Nutella minus the chocolate. It is a thick paste made by grinding almonds. There are a few varieties like smooth or crunchy and those made with or without toasted almonds. The choice is up to your personal preference. You could also substitute the a.b. for either p.b or Nutella. I used smooth organic almond butter and to give it a little crunch and extra nutritional value I’ve added whole flax seeds. The apple variety used, much like the almond butter, is really up to you. I’ve used Jonathan or Jonagold apples. They are tasty and hold their shape quite well. If you need a few pointers on the best apples for baking read this article, Baking with Apples.
Do yourself a favor and save some time by baking this easy peasy dessert. Enjoy!
Other Baked Apple Recipes:
– Savory Baked Apples
P.S. Don’t forget to signup for January’s YBR, deadline is this Sunday the 29th
Divine! A wonderfully healthy dessert.
Cheers,
Rosa
Thank you Rosa!
MyGerman MIL makes these every Christmas. What a great idea to use Almond butter. Just lovely.
What a great Christmas treat :) Thanks you!
I looooooove baked apples. never tried them with apple butter though – that would be delicious. I think I would toss in a handful of raisins as well. Yum!
Melissa that sounds like a great idea!
I’ve stuffed apples forever, but never with nut butter! Awesome Idea!
Thank you Michelle !
Wow, this looks amazing! I love baked apples, and there’s nothing “too” simple about them – they don’t need a lot to be perfection. I love that you added flax seed, I’ll definitely have to give this a try :)
Thank you Kiri:) You are right there is something about apples never needing too much.
Genius! I can only imagine that this tastes wonderful, too :)
Thank you Priscilla!
I love this idea. It would be delicious with virtually any nut butter.
Thanks and yes I would have to agree :)
What a delicious and healthy dessert! I will be trying this sometime soon!
Thank you Amy:)
I loved baked apples and I like how you filled these. Would have never thought of almond butter but it looks delicious!
Thank you Tina!
I swear some people are time magicians! I don’t know how they get so much done in a day! I love this dessert, almond butter is wonderful especially if paired with apples, yum!
Me neither Ruth :) Thanks!
wow oo yes please! these look wonderful. and i love that they are sugar free! i’ve had to be off sugar for a while, and it’s so hard to find something desserty without it. almond butter has been a staple for me too. can’t wait to try these!
Thanks Anna!
These look delicious.. and beautiful pictures too! Great post!
Thank you !!
Oh my goodness..what an AMAZING idea!!! I love this combination and photos are stunning!! Great job!!!
Thank you Sandra :)!
I love baked apples, and your version sounds so much yummier and healthier too! Great post, Nancy! Thanks for sharing :)
Thank you Marsha :)!
Oh now, those are almost too cute to eat. ALMOST. Love this blog!
Hehe, thanks Lou :)
Yummy, yummy!! My kids would love this. :) Love the use of almond butter too. :)
Thanks Ramona :)!
All of my days seem to get away from me anymore, I totally know what you mean. How do people fit everything in???? I think this would be great for breakfast! (If there was only time to sit and eat it, lol.)
Same here Trix! If we make them the night before then reheat in the morning then we could have them for breakfast :)
I’m in love with almond butter and pretty much would put in on everything! I love this quick and easy dessert.
Yeah almond butter just begs to be put on everything :) Thanks Sylvie!
Just stopped by to say Congrats on making it to the top 9!!!!!
Thanks Sandra, I hadn’t heard :0 !
I knew when I saw the pic that these would make the Top 9. Well-deserved! Can’t wait to try them out. Congrats!!
Oh, that is so sweet of you Laura:) Thank you so much!
Nancy, a lovely simple tasty (and healthy) dessert. ‘Healthy’ and ‘dessert’ are rarely seen in the same sentence. Outstanding photos as always.
Hi Hester, Thank you :) So true and unfortunate because who doesn’t love dessert.
So beautiful, Nancy!!! I’m a huge fan of apple desserts…and these are a winner!
Thank you Liz :)
PS…hooray for the Top 9!!!
Thanks, I only just found out from Sandra’s comment :)
These apples are gorgeous, love your photos and congratulations on your top 9!
Thank you Patty :)!
Your baked apples look and sound delicious. I am always looking for healthy recipes for my family. Congratulations on the Foodbuzz Top 9:)
Thank you Geraldine!
Congrats on the top 9! This is a beautiful recipe!
Thank you Emily!
gorgeous photos for a great recipe. I have been craving warm, baked apples lately. I will definitely be trying this soon.
Thank you Sarah and enjoy the baked apples!
I just stumbled upon your blog from Foodbuzz and I think this dish looks incredible! It’s funny, as much as I love the apple/nut butter combination, I never thought to do it in baked apple form. I’ll have to try it!
Hi Jess, Welcome! Thank you and glad you stopped by.
Congratulations on Top 9! These baked apples look great! Especially with the addition of the yummy almond butter. Thanks for sharing, have a great weekend! =]
Thank you and you too have a great weekend!
Time is precious, and I love it when I can prepare yummy food like this that doesn’t take forever to make. When I get home from work, I’m hungry and love to get food on the table in a timely manner. These apples look really tempting! :)
Hi Betty, I work from home but even so those fast meals or desserts are a most on many days. Just because one is busy it doesn’t mean we should sacrifice what we put on our tables. Thanks :)
Oh wow!!! What a great healthy dessert! I’m salivating right now!
Thank you Katie :)
Love desserts like this- easy, healthy and delicious!
Thank you Irina!
These are delightful, and so gorgeous!
Plus they are vegan so you could eat them too :)
These apples look crazy good. Love the unique twist with the almond butter ~ linking back to this tomorrow :)
Hi Marla,
Thanks!
My husband and I just went apple picking and I have a boat load of apples. This is a perfect recipe to make to use up a few of them. It gets kind of boring to just eat them as is. Although they are still delish! I just made an apple bark in my dehyrator and it came out wonderful!
Hi Cheryl,
The apple bark does sound wonderful. Enjoy your baked apples! :)