Bloomin Apples Recipe

Bloomin Apples are the ultimate dessert for apple lovers! With tender, baked Honey crisp apples brushed with a buttery brown sugar glaze, stuffed with gooey caramel squares, and topped with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce, this dessert is as stunning as it is delicious. The apple “petals” bloom beautifully, making it a perfect show-stopping dessert for fall gatherings, holidays, or any time you crave something cozy and indulgent.

This Bloomin Apples recipe transforms simple ingredients into a decadent dessert. The apples bake until tender, soaking in a buttery spice mixture, while the caramel melts into a luscious filling. Topped with ice cream and caramel sauce, it’s warm, gooey, and packed with comforting fall flavors.

Why Our Bloomin Apples Are the Best

Our Bloomin Apples take the classic baked apple to the next level. The apple pie spice blend and melted butter infuse the apples with flavor, while the caramel filling adds a decadent surprise in every bite. And the “blooming” presentation makes it feel like a gourmet dessert, despite being so easy to prepare!

Ingredients Notes for Bloomin Apples

Each ingredient in this recipe contributes to the perfect balance of flavor and texture.

• 4 large Honeycrisp apples (9 ounces each): Their natural sweetness and crisp texture hold up well during baking.
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted: Adds richness and helps the spice and sugar mixture caramelize.
• 3 tablespoons light brown sugar: Sweetens the apples and creates a caramel-like glaze.
• 1 1/2 teaspoons apple pie spice blend: A warm and aromatic mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice that enhances the fall flavors.
• 8 medium soft caramel squares: Creates a gooey, sweet filling inside the apples. Werther’s or similar caramels work well.
• Vanilla ice cream: For topping, it adds a creamy contrast to the warm apples.
• Caramel sauce: A finishing drizzle of caramel makes it extra decadent.

Kitchen Tools Needed for Bloomin Apples

• Apple corer or melon baller
• Paring knife or round cookie cutter
• 8-inch square baking dish
• Pastry brush
• Small mixing bowl
• Aluminum foil

How to Make Bloomin Apples

1. Preheat the Oven

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. Prepare the Apples

• Slice off the top 1/2 inch of each Honeycrisp apple.
• Using an apple corer, melon baller, or teaspoon, remove the core from each apple, stopping about 1 inch from the bottom to keep the apple intact.
• With a paring knife or round cookie cutter, cut 2 concentric circles 1/4 inch apart outward from the core, cutting as deep as possible without going through the bottom.
• Cut vertically into 8 equal slices, working from the top down and leaving about 1/2 inch at the base to keep the apple intact.

3. Make the Glaze

• In a small bowl, whisk together 4 tablespoons melted butter, 3 tablespoons light brown sugar, and 1 1/2 teaspoons apple pie spice blend.

4. Stuff the Apples

• Place the prepared apples in an 8-inch square baking dish.
• Fill each apple with 2 caramel squares.

5. Brush and Bake

• Brush the butter mixture generously over the tops of each apple.
• Pour boiling water into the bottom of the baking dish, about 1/4 inch deep, to prevent the apples from drying out.
• Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
• Remove the foil and continue baking uncovered for another 25–30 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the sugar begins to caramelize.

6. Cool and Serve

• Allow the apples to cool for about 10 minutes.
• Gently spread the “petals” of the apple apart with your hands.
• Serve warm or at room temperature, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce.

How to Store Bloomin

Apples

Refrigerator

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until warmed through.

Freezer

• Freezing is not recommended for this dish as the texture of the apples changes significantly when frozen.

Bloomin Apples Variations

• Chocolate Caramel Bloomin Apples: Add chocolate chips alongside the caramel squares for a chocolatey twist.
• Pecan Crunch Bloomin’ Apples: Sprinkle chopped pecans over the butter mixture before baking for added crunch and nuttiness.
• Maple Bloomin Apples: Replace the brown sugar with maple syrup for a deeper flavor.
• Cinnamon Roll Bloomin Apples: Use cream cheese frosting instead of caramel sauce for a fun variation.
• Spiced Pear Version: Swap apples for pears and adjust the baking time for a softer texture.

What to Serve With Bloomin’ Apples

These warm, gooey apples pair beautifully with:

• Vanilla Ice Cream: A classic choice that adds creamy richness.
• Whipped Cream: For a lighter topping option.
• Hot Apple Cider: A cozy drink that complements the warm spices.
• Pecan Pie Bars: For a decadent dessert spread.

Top Tips for Perfect Bloomin’ Apples

1. Use Firm Apples: Honeycrisp apples hold their shape well during baking and don’t turn mushy.
2. Cut Carefully: Ensure you don’t cut all the way through the bottom to keep the apple intact.
3. Don’t Skip the Water: Adding boiling water to the baking dish prevents the apples from drying out.
4. Spread the Petals: Let the apples cool slightly before gently spreading the slices apart to create the blooming effect.
5. Serve Warm: These are best enjoyed warm, straight from the oven.

Helpful Notes

• If the caramel hardens slightly while cooling, just reheat the apple for 10–15 seconds in the microwave.
• Use a sharp paring knife for more precise cuts when creating the “petals.”
• If you prefer a less sweet version, reduce the amount of brown sugar and omit the caramel sauce topping.

Tips from Well-Known Chefs

1. Ree Drummond recommends adding a pinch of sea salt to the caramel squares for a salted caramel version.
2. Martha Stewart suggests using fresh homemade apple pie spice for the best flavor.
3. Ina Garten highlights the importance of quality vanilla ice cream as a topping to complement the warm apple flavors.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Bloomin Apples Recipe

These Bloomin’ Apples are an indulgent and flavorful dessert featuring baked Honeycrisp apples filled with caramel, brushed with a buttery apple pie spice blend, and topped with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce. A perfect fall treat!

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 55 minutes mins

Cooling Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 1

Calories 775 kcal

Ingredients

  

• – 4 large 9 oz Honeycrisp apples
• – 4 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
• – 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
• – 1 1/2 teaspoons apple pie spice blend
• – 8 medium soft caramel squares such as Werther’s
• – Vanilla ice cream
• – Caramel sauce

Instructions

 

• Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and gather all ingredients.
• Core Apples: Slice off the top 1/2 inch of each apple. Using an apple corer, melon baller, or teaspoon, remove the core from each apple, stopping about 1 inch from the bottom.
• Cut Concentric Circles: Use a paring knife or round cookie cutter to cut 2 concentric circles 1/4 inch apart outward from the core, cutting as deep as possible without cutting through the bottom.
• Cut Petals: Working from the top of the apple, cut vertically into 8 equal slices, leaving the apple intact 1/2 inch from the bottom.
• Prepare Butter Mixture: In a small bowl, whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, and apple pie spice.
• Assemble Apples: Place apples in an 8-inch square baking dish. Fill each apple with 2 caramel squares. Brush the butter mixture evenly over the tops of the apples.
• Add Water and Bake: Pour boiling water around the apples to a depth of 1/4 inch in the bottom of the dish. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking, uncovered, for 25-30 minutes, until the sugar begins to caramelize and the apples are tender.
• Cool and Serve: Let the apples cool for 10 minutes. Gently spread the apple “petals” apart. Serve warm or at room temperature with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce.

Notes

• Honeycrisp apples work best for this recipe, but other firm apples like Granny Smith or Fuji can be used.
• Add chopped nuts, like pecans or walnuts, as an extra topping for texture.
• Leftover apples can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days.

Keyword baked apples, bloomin’ apples, caramel apples, fall dessert, apple dessert