If you're anything like me, you love this time of year when you can pick your own apples. I mean, there's truly nothing better than going to a orchard and handpicking your favorite apple varieties, which means you're spending an arm and a leg on maybe 10 apples, but hey, it's about making core memories right?! When you don't want to make apple pie, make these brown sugar baked apples, which is a whole lot easier than making an entire pie.

Brown Sugar Baked Apples

I love apples. I love making apple cider sangria, I love making french toast with them, and they're delicious as a snack. Apples are one of those fruits that is great all year long, and goes with many different recipe ideas. What I love most about this particular recipe is that it only takes three ingredients and is great for a breakfast, snack, or dessert.

What's with the slicing in the apples?

Glad you asked! So, the technique for making these apples is considered "hasselback" slicing. It's a technique that asks for very thin knife strokes, but only slicing 3/4 of the way through the apple. It resembles fanning, and it makes the apples super tender, also allowing the brown sugar and honey to seep into the nooks of the apple.

Kitchen tools

This recipe is so easy you'll only need a few items from start to finish:

1. Sharp slicing knife: to slice the apples in half and also create the hasselback effect.
2. Baking sheet: of course, we need a vessel to hold the apples
3. Parchment paper: to line the baking sheet.

What type of apples work best?

There are a few apples that are better for baking, such as jonagold, honeycrisp, and pink lady. However, I always have gala or envy on hand. You absolutely do NOT have to run out and buy specific apples for this recipe, whatever you have in the house will work great!

Ingredients

This recipe is one of my favorites because it doesn't ask for any crazy ingredients, or make you run to several stores to find one particular ingredient you'll use once. Instead, you'll need:

• Apples: choose your favorite kind!
• Brown Sugar: this will top the apples before you bake them
• Honey: Honey and apples are truly the most perfect pairing.

Directions

In order to make these brown sugar baked apples, you'll follow very simple directions. You'll be smiling from ear to ear while eating in no time!

1. Preheat the oven to 375º then line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Take the apples and slice them directly in half. Remove any seeds then place them flesh side down.
3. Carefully slice 3/4 of the way down on each half of the apple, not cutting fully through. repeat for all apples
4. Place flesh-side down on the parchment then sprinkle with the brown sugar.
5. Bake in the oven for 12-15 minutes or until fork soft.
6. Once the apples are slightly cooled, drizzle with honey and serve with whipped cream or ice cream.

Can I use this method with other fruits?

If you want to try this on other fruits, I say go for it! Swap out the apples for:

• Pears
• Persimmons
• Pineapples

Or even some squash such as acorn, delicata, or butternut. No matter the fruit or veggie, this recipe is for the books.

Hungry for more?

Pair these yummy apples with a delicious dinner to impress your guests!

• Veggie Pasta Bake
• Creamy Spinach Pasta
• Tuscan Chicken