Description
These Caramel Cinnamon Baked Apples are a deliciously gooey, refined sugar-free dessert that tastes better than apple pie filling with minimal effort. Perfectly spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, sweetened naturally with maple syrup and coconut sugar, and baked to caramelized perfection, they are paleo, vegan-friendly, and ideal served with coconut vanilla ice cream.
Ingredients
Apples
- 6 large apples (Honeycrisp recommended), peeled, cored, and sliced into 1/4” slices
- 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
Sweeteners and Thickeners
- 1/4 cup coconut sugar
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 1/2 Tbsp tapioca flour or arrowroot
Spices and Flavorings
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp fine sea salt
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Fat
- 1 Tbsp coconut oil or ghee (if not vegan), solid and broken into pieces
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350° F (175° C). Lightly spray a 9-inch pie dish or casserole dish with coconut oil or avocado oil spray to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the Apples: In a large bowl, combine the peeled, cored, and sliced apples with fresh lemon juice, coconut sugar, pure maple syrup, tapioca flour or arrowroot, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, fine sea salt, and pure vanilla extract. Toss thoroughly to coat all apple slices evenly with the mixture.
- Arrange and Add Fat: Transfer the coated apples into the prepared baking dish in an even layer. Dot the top of the apples with solid pieces of coconut oil or ghee, distributing them evenly to help create a rich caramel sauce as it bakes.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with a lid or foil and bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes. This helps the apples soften and begin to release their juices.
- Stir and Continue Baking Uncovered: Remove the cover and carefully stir the apples to mix the caramelizing juices. Continue baking uncovered for an additional 15 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the sauce is bubbly and caramelized.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the baked apples to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy them as is or paired with coconut vanilla ice cream or vegan whipped cream for an extra indulgent treat. Store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Notes
- You can substitute tapioca flour with arrowroot starch for thickening.
- Use ghee instead of coconut oil if you are not following a vegan diet.
- For best flavor and texture, use a firm apple variety like Honeycrisp.
- These baked apples can be served warm or at room temperature.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 4 days in an airtight container.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Paleo, Vegan
