Do you love caramel apples…who doesn’t? Well during the winter months when you want something warm for dinner and dessert a great sweet choice is when we bake whole apples. It’s what to make with apples we love. (affiliate links present)

Inside Out Caramel Apples

I call them inside out because the yummy coating is on the inside of the apple in this case instead of trying to bite it off the stick. The ingredients are simple and they are quick to make! You can fill with brown sugar and oats or How to Make Caramel with Condensed Milk.

Baked Whole Apples Recipe

Use a knife and cut in a circle the top…like you’re opening up a pumpkin. Then use your knife to cut some of the inside of the apple out, then use a spoon to scoop out some more. It is up to you how much you leave there but this is how mine look once I am done with this step.

Then you want to get your inside mixture together. It is easy. You just need a few items, the only thing you might need to grab that is “unusual” and works best is caramel bits, if you want to include them.

You need to remove the center but leave the bottom in tact to create an apple bowl of sorts right? That way you can mix butter and your favorite sweet ingredients in the center so you can enjoy the center but also slice the tender fresh fruit to eat as well.

How do you stuff an apple?

First wash the apples thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt or debris. Pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel.
Use a paring knife or corer to carefully remove the center but leaving the bottom in tact. You can do this by inserting the tip of the knife or corer into the center of the apple at a slight angle, then twist or push downward to remove the core.
Once the core is removed, use a spoon to further hollow out the center of the apple, creating a larger cavity for the filling. Be careful not to pierce through the bottom or sides or filling will leak.
Prepare your filling ingredients according to your recipe or preferences. This could include a mixture of oats, chopped nuts, dried fruit, cinnamon or nutmeg, and a sweetener like brown sugar, honey, or maple syrup..

Spoon the filling mixture into the cavity, pressing down gently to pack the filling and ensure it fills the space evenly.

What can you put inside stuffed apples?

You will want butter so soften the whole thing, a vegan plant based product will work too for a dairy free option. Allow your stick(s) to soften on the counter first. Then you will want a sweetener, we like brown sugar, and Old Fashioned oats are a must for an Apple Crisp with Oats flare. Beyond that think outside of the box like; raisins, dried cranberries, walnuts or chocolate chips work.

Do you put the top back on when baking whole apples?

You can but it is not necessary. I just fill to the top and if they are set upright in a dish where they won’t fall over then there is no worry of it coming out. The contents don’t rise like a cake so you just need to keep leakage of apple juice in mind, a casserole dish will work just fine.

How to Make Baked Caramel Apples

I have used caramel squares to include inside too, but when I found caramel bits I have used them every time after that and they melt a lot better!! Just blend in with the butter, sugar and oats so everything gets ooey gooey tender together to slice and enjoy when warmed.

I melt a few more caramels in the microwave and pour over the top just before serving too but you could keep it like this for a healthier version of a baked apple dessert! If you love these inside out baked caramel apples you must try our caramel apple bread pudding too.

Since you’re heating your oven up to make these anyway, mind as well throw in dinner at the same time too. You can either follow how to cook Smithfield pork loin and follow that, or this is how to bake frozen chicken wings for dinner too.

Cut caramel squares into fourths, scoop some oatmeal/butter mixture into the apple, top with caramels, do another layer, and so on. Put in the oven at 300 degrees for about 23 minutes or so or until the apple is softer and typically starts oozing apple juice out the bottom.