Description
Warm German winter comfort meets sweet simplicity in bratapfel, a classic dessert that whispers holiday memories. Cinnamon-spiced apples filled with nuts and raisins emerge from the oven golden and inviting, promising a delightful finish you’ll savor with each tender bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 medium apples (such as Gala or Honeycrisp)
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) chopped walnuts or pecans
- 1/4 cup (40 grams) raisins or sultanas
Sweeteners and Spices:
- 2 tablespoons (30 grams) brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon (15 grams) butter, cut into small pieces
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) apple juice or water (for baking)
- Optional: whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and gather all necessary baking equipment for preparing the stuffed apples.
- Carefully remove the apple cores, creating a spacious cavity while preserving the fruit’s structural integrity, ensuring the base remains sealed to contain the aromatic filling.
- Craft a sumptuous mixture by blending chopped nuts, sweet raisins, fragrant brown sugar, warm cinnamon, earthy nutmeg, and zesty ginger in a mixing bowl until thoroughly combined.
- Generously fill each hollowed apple with the spice-infused blend, gently pressing the mixture to compact it without damaging the fruit’s delicate flesh.
- Crown each stuffed apple with a small, velvety butter medallion to enhance richness and promote caramelization during baking.
- Position the prepared apples in a ceramic baking dish, then delicately pour apple juice or water around the base to create a moisture-rich environment.
- Shield the dish with aluminum foil to trap steam and promote even cooking, then slide into the preheated oven.
- Bake for approximately 25-30 minutes, periodically checking the apples’ tenderness by gently piercing with a fork until they reach a soft, yielding consistency.
- Remove from the oven and allow to rest briefly, permitting the flavors to meld and the temperature to stabilize before serving.
Notes
- Choose firm, slightly tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best baking results, as they hold their shape well and provide a nice balance to the sweet filling.
- Toast nuts beforehand to enhance their rich, nutty flavor and add a delightful crunch to the filling, creating a more complex taste profile.
- Customize the recipe for dietary needs by substituting butter with coconut oil for a vegan version, or using sugar alternatives like stevia or monk fruit sweetener for a low-sugar option.
- Elevate the dessert’s presentation by drizzling a homemade caramel sauce or serving with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, transforming this simple baked apple into an elegant dessert.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 1 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg