Description
This recipe is your ultimate sweet-but-simple dessert for any season. Think apple pie—but stripped of all the fuss. No crust to roll, no dough to chill. Just whole apples, sliced like a blooming flower, brushed with warm spices and sugar, and cooked until meltingly tender. Whether you’re grilling out in the backyard, cozying up by the fire, or craving a fall-scented snack in the middle of July, these bloomin’ apples are always in season.
Ingredients
For 4 apples:
4 large firm apples (Honeycrisp, Fuji, Pink Lady, or Gala work great)
2 tablespoons melted butter (or vegan butter/coconut oil)
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Pinch of nutmeg or cardamom (optional but adds depth)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional but tasty)
Toppings: granola, chopped nuts, crushed graham crackers, or oats
For serving: vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or dairy-free alternatives
Instructions
Step 1: Prep the Apples
Wash and core the apples carefully, removing the center and seeds while keeping the base intact (so the filling doesn’t leak out). Use a corer or small knife and spoon. You want a little apple “cup.”
Step 2: Slice to Bloom
Place each apple on a cutting board and make vertical slices about ¼ inch apart all the way around the apple. Go about two-thirds of the way down—don’t cut through the base! These slits will open up as the apple cooks, creating that signature blooming effect.
Step 3: Make the Spice Mixture
In a small bowl, mix the melted butter with brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract. It should be glossy and pourable.
Step 4: Fill and Drizzle
Place the apples on individual sheets of foil or in a grill-safe pan. Spoon the buttery sugar mixture into the core and drizzle it over the top, making sure it seeps into the slices. Add crushed nuts, granola, or oats on top for texture if you like.
Step 5: Grill or Bake
Wrap each apple loosely in foil and grill over medium heat for 20–25 minutes, or until the slices have fanned out and the apple is tender when pierced with a fork.
No grill? Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25–30 minutes, unwrapping during the last 5–7 minutes to let the tops caramelize.
Notes
Serve hot with a scoop of ice cream that melts into every nook and cranny
Drizzle with maple syrup, caramel sauce, or even honey
Top with crushed gingersnap cookies or graham crackers
Add a spoonful of yogurt and a sprinkle of granola for a next-level breakfast
Pair with coffee or chai for the ultimate cozy combo
Turn it into a mini sundae bar and let people build their own with toppings
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20–25 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: ~210 per apple
- Protein: ~1g per serving