Baked Apple Recipe

Baked Apple (焼きりんご) is a simple yet comforting dessert made by baking whole apples stuffed with raisins and brown sugar. While it’s not a traditional Japanese sweet, it became a popular homemade treat in the 1970s and 1980s — and remains a nostalgic dessert for many people today.

What’s Baked Apple?

In the 18th century, as sugar became more accessible, baked apples became a more familiar and comforting dessert. In England, they were often served at tea time; in Germany, they became a cozy winter treat; and in the United States, they turned into a beloved Thanksgiving and Christmas classic.

Baked apples were introduced to Japan after the Meiji Era (late 19th century), along with other Western desserts such as apple pie and compote. By the Showa period (mid-20th century), as ovens became more common in Japanese homes, recipes for whole baked apples began appearing in magazines and cookbooks, becoming a popular homemade sweet.

Baked apples go especially well with apple varieties that have a slightly tart flavor. In addition to Fuji and Mutsu, Kogyoku (Jonathan) in Japan — known for its beautiful bright red skin and stronger acidity — and Jonagold, which has plenty of juice with a nice balance of sweetness and tartness, are highly recommended. In the U.S., Pink Lady offers a pleasant balance, while Granny Smith and Honeycrisp, being firmer and tarter, are also great choices for baked apples.

The filling is usually a mix of raisins and nuts combined with brown sugar and warm spices like cinnamon. A small amount of butter goes a long way in adding a rich, mellow flavor. To enjoy the natural taste of fresh apples, there’s no need to add too much sugar — just enough to bring out the fruit’s natural sweetness and tartness. Spices like cinnamon and other cozy, wintery aromas fill the kitchen with warmth and bring the comforting flavors of autumn and winter into your home.

Tips and substitutions for Baked Apple

• Choices of apples – As mentioned above, apples that have a slightly tart flavor and firm texture are perfect for baked apples. However, almost any apple variety will work well for this dish, so choose the one you like best. Each type brings its own sweetness, aroma, and texture, so it’s fun to try different kinds and find your favorite combination.
• Choices of spices – Cinnamon is a typical spice for Japanese Baked Apple, but other warm and wintery spices such as allspice and clove are wonderful too. They add depth and cozy aroma to the dessert. However, adding too much spice can overpower the fresh flavor of apples, so go easy on it and let the natural fruit flavor shine through.
• Choices of sugars – Light brown sugar is our first choice because it gives a nice balance of deep and rich sweetness without being too heavy. If you want an even richer, more caramel-like flavor, you can use dark brown sugar. But simple granulated sugar is also delightful for a clean, straightforward sweetness that lets the apple flavor stand out beautifully.

More recipes like Baked Apple

• Simmered Sweet Potato and Apple
• Sweet Potato Dessert
• Kabocha Purin