Salted Caramel Streusel Baked Apples

Salted Caramel Streusel Baked Apples

These apples are life-changing. How’s that for a promise?

Baked apples are a classic American dessert, but I’ve upped the ante by coring them, filling them with a simple streusel, and drizzling (pouring, maybe?) salted caramel on top. And we can totally call this a healthy dessert because, you know, apple. Right? Hey, it’s fruit!

This is a fireside kind of dessert, the kind that you share with family members on game night or some equally idyllic situation. These are impossible not to love, unless you have no soul. I’m feeling very objective today.

Salted Caramel Streusel Baked Apples

This past weekend, Kenny and I had a night by the fire. It was a redo of our New Year’s Eve, the first of which crashed and burned at eight o’clock when our son’s stomach virus erupted everywhere. Yes, I’m being literal. Nobody wants a romantic dinner for two after cleaning that up.

It’s getting harder and harder to stay awake long enough to last through date night. Back in the day, I could guzzle drinks with the smug knowledge that I had nowhere to go and nothing to do in the morning. But when you have kids, that whole game changes suddenly and irrevocably.

Not only have I not owned an alarm clock since 2008, but I have also not awakened past 6:30. And that’s on the very best of days. There are too many children and even more viruses at play to count on a later wake-up time. As a result, my body is hardwired to wake up on weekends at 5:30. Any date nights need to take that little hitch into account.

Salted Caramel Streusel Baked Apples

Take last night, for example. Our youngest is ready for a real bed, but she really loves her crib. We’ve tried to move her out to no avail, and last night she seemed eager to move. So into her older sister’s room she went into a twin bed that swallowed her tiny body whole. Around 12:45, she freaked out because her sister went to the bathroom and she thought she would be alone forever. And at 2 A.M., she started screaming that she wanted to “go back to my room.” And back in her crib she went. I know, I know, I’m weak. But she was screeching the house down, and nobody was getting any sleep.

Salted Caramel Streusel Baked Apples

When Kenny is awakened by children (which happens less for him because he just doesn’t hear them), he can immediately fall back asleep. I, on the other hand, will lie awake in a state of pure tension waiting for someone to wake up again, unable to stop my mind from racing. I wish that I could make my brain stop, but it’s just not possible. So nights like that mean no sleep for Mir. And that means I don’t drink on date night, and I sure don’t stay up past 10. It’s a shame, but what are you gonna do?

Salted Caramel Streusel Baked Apples

Eat a healthier-than-usual dessert, that’s what. The hardest part of this recipe is coring the apples, so I’d recommend having a corer or melon baller around if you’re not handy with a knife. But once you’ve done that, the rest is easy.

The oat-based streusel in each apple takes seconds to prepare, and you drizzle prepared salted caramel topping over the baked apple. It’s such a cozy dessert. I think it’s kind of required to eat this while wrapped in a fuzzy blanket while wearing equally fuzzy slippers.

If you’re about getting healthy this season, this dessert is the one. It’s healthy with just a splash of decadence, making it a perfect choice. Whether you have an early wake-up call or a chance to sleep in late, this will make your evening worthwhile!

 

Salted Caramel Streusel Baked Apples

Ingredients

6 Granny Smith apples, washed and cored
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
1/3 cup rolled oats
1 cup apple juice
2 tablespoons honey
2 teaspoons cinnamon
salted caramel sauce (jarred)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 425.
  2. In a bowl, combine the melted butter with the flour, brown sugar and rolled oats. Use your hands to form crumbs.
  3. Press the crumbs into each cored apple, making sure the crumbs get piled down to the bottom.
  4. Place all of the filled apples in a 9-inch round baking pan.
  5. In a small bowl, combine the apple juice, honey and cinnamon. Pour the mixture into the bottom of the pan.
  6. Bake the apples for 25-30 minutes until tender. Don't bake them too long, or they'll begin to fall apart.
  7. Spoon the salted caramel sauce over the apples. Serve warm.
http://justaboutbaked.com/salted-caramel-streusel-baked-apples/

Mir

I fulfill many roles in life: wife, mother, teacher, everlasting learner. This site is dedicated to one role that expresses my creativity in ways that I find consistently challenging and rewarding: baker. Inventing new ways to enhance food, especially if that food involves chocolate or peanut butter (or both!), is a passion of mine. I look forward to sharing my ideas with you.

This Post Has 32 Comments

  1. Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust

    I totally need to try this. It’s actual fruit not just pie! πŸ™‚ And date night…it’s getting harder now that Jordan is older. She stays up later and we just want to go to bed, ha!
    Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust recently posted…Chocolate S’mores CheeseballMy Profile

    1. Mir

      The whole date night thing is getting harder. Unless we leave the house, it just winds up not happening sometimes!

  2. Seus

    I love baked apples and these look way better than average! I’m still childless so it’s easy for me to get good night’s sleep, but I can imagine I’ll be up crazy hours when I have kids!
    Seus recently posted…Friday I’m in Love #6: ResolvingMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Yep, the kids ruin your sleep forever. Enjoy those unbroken nights, Sues!

  3. Kate @ Framed Cooks

    Oh gosh, I remember those days….just keep in mind that one day they will be teenagers and you will be dragging them out of bed. Long days and short years. Meantime, I’m loving these apples – baked apples are so good, and I love your oatmeal spin on them!
    Kate @ Framed Cooks recently posted…Jam CakeMy Profile

    1. Mir

      I teach teens, so I know how tired they are in the morning! I know it’s gonna happen, but it’s just a process of waiting for it. When will we sleep again?! πŸ™‚

  4. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice

    These apples definitely look life changing! I’ve made baked apples once before and stuffed them with granola, but this sounds so much better. I love the streusel and caramel in here, Mir! Delish!
    Gayle @ Pumpkin ‘N Spice recently posted…Chocolate Cherry Banana Breakfast CookiesMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Granola sounds good, too! Anything for a baked apple!

  5. Megan - The Emotional Baker

    Oh my goodness, Mir! What an eventful NYE! I’m already hard wired to wake up before 6 with no coaxing from children – so when there are kids in my household I’ll probably wake up at 4! But then I’ll have plenty of time to make baked apples! & can you believe I’ve never made them before!
    Megan – The Emotional Baker recently posted…Tahini Oreo Cookies + GiveawayMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Then you’ll be all set, Megan. Your body won’t be in total shock when you wake up early!

  6. Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy

    Oh no! I imagine that wasn’t the new years eve you were expecting, but at least you got to have a do-over.
    I can totally see how these apples are life changing, as I LOVE baked apples, so add salted caramel to it is amazing.
    Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy recently posted…Comment on Slow Cooker Hidden Vegetable Pasta Sauce by AnnmarieMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Baked apples are the best. And so simple to make!

  7. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary

    So sorry to hear your son had a bad stomach virus on New Year’s Eve… But I’m glad he is better now and I’m super glad you and the hubster got a redo – even if you didn’t have a cocktail or two. Good luck with moving your youngest into a big girl bed! When I was little, I was sooo excited to get my first bed, so hopefully she outgrows the crib stage and you guys get a little sleep. Until then, I would say just devour loads of these apples! πŸ™‚ These babies look seriously delicious and while they might not help you catch up on your needed Zzzz’s, I have to imagine they can provide a little comfort for the tummy! I mean struesel and salted caramel?! Gahh – perfection! Cheers, my dear!
    Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary recently posted…Spaghetti Squash Boats alla Vodka {with sausage, kale & pine nuts}My Profile

    1. Mir

      Redos are important. Otherwise, we’d probably never celebrate anything!

  8. Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom

    Dude, seriously all men are the same. Paul is the same way. . when our kids were younger and that would happen, he wouldn’t even hear them! I hear everything! and like, you would not be able to fall back asleep so easily. I also have a built in alarm clock. I’m usually up by 6 or 6:30am every morning. Even on the weekends. Mir, can I say how much I love these baked apples??!!!!! a little healthy-ish never hurt anyone πŸ™‚ love it!!!
    Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom recently posted…Fancy Avocado ToastMy Profile

    1. Mir

      I would LOVE not to be able to hear the kids at night, but it might freak me out, too. Still, all that nice sleep we could be getting…

  9. annie@ciaochowbambina

    So glad you and Kenny were able to get a re-do! I’d want a re-do, too, if it meant having these apples! Sorry your NYE was rough…poor little guy – but it gave you another night to look forward to… Not so bad! These apples look rather life-changing… I’ll take ’em!
    annie@ciaochowbambina recently posted…Chicken Breast in Lemon-Herb Sauce with Roasted Swiss ChardMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Kids getting sick happens! As long as there are redos in life, that’s all that matters!

  10. Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks

    Girl, your house sounds crazy busy! Poor baby thought she would be alone forever and Kenny sleeping soundly through the night. Mom’s have is so much harder with the mom gene and all. Perhaps y’all should consider date lunch so you can stay awake! πŸ™‚ These apples sure would make anybody happy! I was just thinking yesterday about baking the apples in my fridge that no one seems to want to eat. If I cover them with streusel and salted caramel, I bet they would disappear!
    Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks recently posted…Coco Loco Porter Caramelized Onion CrostiniMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Yeah, I think moms just KNOW when their kids are getting sick, or are about to wake up. It’s some kind of crazy connection we have that goes back to infancy. It’s cool, but not when we’re not sleeping!

  11. Medha @ Whisk & Shout

    Dressing up apples is the best way to make sure they get eaten- yours look amazing!
    Medha @ Whisk & Shout recently posted…Marbled Vegan Banana Cocoa MuffinsMy Profile

    1. Mir

      I love them plain too, but this is much cozier!

  12. Manali @ CookWithManali

    I have a jar of homemade salted caramel sauce right now, I think I need to make these!! And I hear you about staying up late, I find it hard to open my eyes past 10!

    1. Mir

      I just can’t do that anymore. I’m down and out by 9! πŸ™‚

  13. David @ Spiced

    Hah! Is this what I have to look forward to, Mir? We’re already playing the “give him what he wants to stop the crying” game, and I’m pretty sure he’s figuring it out. He’s not even close to talking yet, but he’s managing us like it’s his job. Ok, so no drinks on date night then. But I can get behind that if these apples are involved! I hear they are life-changing! πŸ™‚
    David @ Spiced recently posted…Chocolate Peanut Butter CookiesMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Yep, there’s a lot to look forward to, David. Kids figure out very early how to play us, especially the youngest ones. They’re the babies!

  14. Jocelyn (Grandbaby cakes)

    You had me at salted caramel. Amazing

    1. Mir

      That always gets me too, Jocelyn!

  15. Michele @ Alwayzbakin

    WOW! LOVE that you filled the apple with the streusel. Seriously?? Don’t feel bad, I hardly make it past 9:00. lol. I so remember those days when the kids were switching to their big kid beds. Takes time. My youngest is now 9. I cannot even believe that!
    Michele @ Alwayzbakin recently posted…Valentine Guava Cheese EmpenadasMy Profile

    1. Mir

      It was SO good, Michele! And as for bedtimes, I really can’t stay up. I’ll just pass out.

  16. Amy

    As they say, 2 or 2 apples a day keep Mom happy.
    Amy recently posted…Clam FrittersMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Isn’t it the doctor? But sure, I’ll go with Mom! πŸ™‚

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