Hazelnut-Stuffed Baked Apples Delight
Indulge in the comforting essence of winter with these Hazelnut-Stuffed Baked Apples, a delightful dessert that warms both the heart and the palate. Each Granny Smith apple is lovingly cored and stuffed with a luscious mix of brown sugar, soft butter, crunchy hazelnuts, and plump raisins, enhanced with warm spices and a hint of citrus zest. Sweetened with pure maple syrup and accompanied by a splash of water to create a decadent syrup, these baked apples emerge from the oven tender and bursting with flavor. Perfectly gluten-free, they can be enjoyed alone or topped with a generous dollop of cream, a scoop of ice cream, or a drizzle of custard. This recipe yields six servings, making it ideal for sharing or for enjoying throughout the week. Unleash your creativity by substituting different fruits or nuts to match your preferences. Remember to let them cool for about ten minutes after baking, as they will be extremely hot!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
Granny Smith apples
6 (Cored)
Brown sugar
1/4 cup (Lightly packed)
Butter
50 g (Softened)
Hazelnuts
3 tablespoons (Chopped)
Raisins
3/4 cup (Chopped)
Orange or lemon zest
1 teaspoon (Grated)
Ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon
Pure maple syrup or rice syrup
6 teaspoons
Water
1/3 cup
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
2
Carefully core the Granny Smith apples using an apple corer or a sharp knife, ensuring the opening at the top is wider than at the bottom. Do not remove the apple skins to retain moisture and flavor.
3
In a large mixing bowl, combine the lightly packed brown sugar, softened butter, chopped hazelnuts, chopped raisins, ground cinnamon, and either grated orange or lemon zest. Mix well until all ingredients are fully integrated.
4
Generously stuff the apples with the fruit and nut mixture, pressing it down firmly to ensure they are well-packed. Pile any remaining mixture on top of the apples for added flavor.
5
Arrange the stuffed apples in a baking dish that fits them snugly to prevent them from tipping over. A Pyrex pie or tart dish works well for this purpose.
6
Drizzle each apple with approximately one teaspoon of pure maple syrup (or rice syrup) for an extra touch of sweetness. Pour the water into the bottom of the baking dish to help with caramelization and to prevent burning.
7
Bake the apples in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, or until they are tender and easily pierced with a fork.
8
Once baked, allow the apples to cool for about 10 minutes before serving. Serve them drizzled with the warm syrup from the bottom of the dish, and top with your choice of cream, ice cream, or custard if desired.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hazelnut-Stuffed Baked Apples Delight?
Hazelnut-Stuffed Baked Apples Delight is a comforting winter dessert where Granny Smith apples are cored and filled with a mixture of brown sugar, hazelnuts, raisins, and spices, then baked until tender.
What type of apples are best for this recipe?
The recipe specifically calls for Granny Smith apples because their tartness and firm texture hold up well during the baking process.
Is this baked apple recipe gluten-free?
Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free as it uses fruits, nuts, and butter without any wheat-based ingredients.
How many servings does this recipe produce?
This recipe is designed to yield six individual servings, with one stuffed apple per person.
What temperature should the oven be set at?
Preheat your oven to 180°C or 350°F for the best results.
Do I need to peel the apples?
No, you should keep the skins on the apples to help them retain their moisture and flavor while baking.
How do I properly core the apples?
Use an apple corer or a sharp knife to remove the core, making sure the opening at the top is wider than the bottom to hold the stuffing.
What ingredients are in the stuffing?
The stuffing consists of lightly packed brown sugar, softened butter, chopped hazelnuts, chopped raisins, ground cinnamon, and citrus zest.
Can I use a different nut if I do not have hazelnuts?
Yes, you can substitute the hazelnuts with other nuts like walnuts or pecans depending on your preference.
What can be used instead of raisins?
You can substitute raisins with other dried fruits or simply omit them if you prefer a different texture.
Should I use orange or lemon zest?
The recipe allows for either grated orange or lemon zest to provide a hint of citrus brightness.
How much butter is required?
You will need 50 grams of softened butter for the stuffing mixture.
Does the butter need to be melted?
The recipe calls for softened butter rather than melted, so it can be easily integrated with the sugar and nuts.
How long do the apples need to bake?
Bake the apples for approximately 30 to 40 minutes until they are tender and easily pierced with a fork.
Why is water added to the baking dish?
Water is poured into the bottom of the dish to help with caramelization and to prevent the apples from burning.
Can I use rice syrup instead of maple syrup?
Yes, the recipe suggests either pure maple syrup or rice syrup as a sweetener to drizzle over the apples.
What kind of baking dish is best?
A snug baking dish, such as a Pyrex pie or tart dish, is recommended to prevent the apples from tipping over during baking.
How long should the apples cool before eating?
Let the apples cool for about 10 minutes because they will be extremely hot immediately after leaving the oven.
What are the best serving suggestions?
These baked apples can be served with the warm syrup from the pan and topped with cream, ice cream, or custard.
Is there cinnamon in this recipe?
Yes, 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon is included in the stuffing for a warm, spiced flavor.
How much water is added to the pan?
You should add 1/3 cup of water to the bottom of the baking dish.
Can I customize this recipe with different fruits?
Yes, the recipe is versatile, and you can substitute different fruits or nuts to match your personal preferences.
What makes this a winter dessert?
The use of warm spices, baked fruit, and rich ingredients like hazelnuts and maple syrup provides a comforting essence perfect for cold weather.
How much brown sugar is used?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of lightly packed brown sugar.
What is the first step of the recipe?
The first step is to preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
How much maple syrup is drizzled on each apple?
Each apple should be drizzled with approximately one teaspoon of pure maple syrup.
Should the raisins be chopped?
Yes, the recipe specifies using 3/4 cup of chopped raisins for the stuffing.
Can I make this dessert ahead of time?
While best served warm, you can bake them in advance and gently reheat them before serving.
Is this recipe suitable for a healthy treat?
Yes, because it focuses on whole fruits, nuts, and natural sweeteners, it is often categorized as a healthy treat.
What happens to the remaining stuffing mixture?
Any extra fruit and nut mixture should be piled on top of the stuffed apples for added flavor and texture.