Vanilla Cinnamon Baked Apples Recipe
Combine Fall Flavors to Create the Perfect Treat
Fall is here, and with it comes a symphony of scents and flavors—cinnamon, apples, and cozy baked desserts. Whether you’re hosting a festive dinner or simply craving a comforting treat, this Vanilla Cinnamon Baked Apples Recipe delivers on all fronts. Bursting with gooey caramelized goodness and the warm spice of cinnamon, this dessert is an elevated nod to the season’s best flavors.
Let’s dive into how you can make this delightful dessert that will have everyone asking for seconds!

Cozy up with this Vanilla Cinnamon Baked Apples Recipe—a quick and easy fall dessert bursting with gooey, caramelized flavor. Made with pantry staples like cinnamon, vanilla bean paste, and fresh apples, this comforting treat is perfect for chilly evenings or festive gatherings.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: Most are pantry staples.
- Easy to Make: A quick prep time with no advanced baking skills required.
- Customizable: Swap out ingredients like raisins or walnuts to suit your taste.
- Aromatic Bliss: The scent of vanilla and cinnamon baking in your oven is pure magic.
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Serves: 4
Ingredients
- 4 baking apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work great)
- 3 tablespoons butter
- ¾ cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Bean Paste
- 1½ teaspoons cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon allspice
- 1 tablespoon brandy (or substitute; see options below)
- ¼ cup raisins
- ¼ cup walnuts (chopped)
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prep the Apples
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Lightly coat a shallow baking dish with nonstick spray.
- Cut a thin slice from the bottom of each apple so they stand upright.
- Using the small end of a melon baller, scoop out the cores without cutting through the bottom.
2. Make the Filling
- In a saucepan, combine butter, brown sugar, and vanilla paste.
- Cook over low heat, stirring until the butter melts.
- Remove from heat and stir in cinnamon, allspice, brandy, raisins, walnuts, and salt.
3. Assemble the Apples
- Spoon the filling into each apple cavity.
- Arrange apples in the baking dish.
4. Bake to Perfection
- Bake for 20 minutes or until apples are fork-tender and caramelized.
- Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream if desired.
Expert Tips
- Apple Selection: Use firm apples like Granny Smith or Pink Lady.
- Substitutes for Brandy:
- Alcoholic: Whiskey or rum.
- Non-Alcoholic: ½ tsp fruit extract (apple, apricot, etc.)
- Trace Alcohol: ¾ tsp brandy extract.
- Add a Crunch: Try pecans or almonds instead of walnuts.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
FAQs
Q: Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
A: Yes! Prep and store the apples and filling separately. Bake just before serving.
Q: What’s the best way to core the apples?
A: A melon baller gives the best control and clean results.
Q: Can I use vanilla extract instead of paste?
A: Yes, substitute with 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
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Fall in love with the cozy, caramelized flavors of Vanilla Cinnamon Baked Apples. Let this recipe bring a little magic to your table.

Vanilla Cinnamon Baked Apples Recipe
Bake these amazing Vanilla Cinnamon Baked Apples and enjoy the incredible gooey caramelized sauce! It's the flavors of fall in a dessert.
Ingredients
- 4 baking apples
- 3 tablespoons butter
- ¾ cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Bean Paste
- 1 ½ teaspoon Cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon allspice
- 1 tablespoon brandy*
- ¼ cup raisins
- ¼ cup walnuts
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Lightly coat the bottom of a shallow baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Cut a thin slice from the bottom of each apple so it will stand upright.
- Scoop out the core of each apple from the top down with the small end of a melon ball cutter, making sure not to core all the way through the apple.
- Combine the butter, brown sugar, and vanilla paste in a medium saucepan and cook over low heat until the butter is melted, stirring frequently.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the cinnamon, allspice, brandy, raisins, walnuts, and salt.
- Fill the apples with equal amounts of the filling using a teaspoon.
- Place the apples in the prepared baking dish.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until caramelized and fork-tender.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 313Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 143mgCarbohydrates: 49gFiber: 2gSugar: 44gProtein: 2g
The Nutritional Information may not be accurate. This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.