Marry This Hasselback Apples Recipe is a tender and baked dessert, which is made with fresh apples and brown sugar. It’s the perfect fall dessert, ready in about 50 minutes.
Jump to RecipeHasselback Apples Recipe Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 3 tablespoons packed brown sugar, divided
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, divided
- 2 large, firm apples, such as Honey Crisp or Pink Lady
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon old-fashioned rolled oats
- Salt
- Cooking spray
- Ice cream and caramel sauce, for serving (optional)
How To Make Hasselback Apples
- Prep Oven and Apples: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Peel the apples, cut them in half through the stem, and use a melon baller or spoon to remove the cores.
- Make Cinnamon Butter & Slice Apples: Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter and stir in 1 tablespoon of brown sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon. Place the apple halves cut-side down and cut parallel slices into them about 1/4-inch apart, stopping just before you cut all the way through.
- First Bake: Brush the cinnamon-butter mixture over the apples, getting it in between the slices. Place them in a small, greased baking dish, cover with foil, and bake for 20 minutes.
- Make the Streusel Topping: While the apples bake, make the streusel. In a small bowl, combine the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter (cubed), 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon, the flour, oats, and a pinch of salt. Use your fingers to form moist clumps.
- Second Bake with Streusel: Remove the apples from the oven and uncover them. Increase the oven temperature to 425°F. Carefully sprinkle the streusel over the apples, working it between the slices. Bake, uncovered, for 15 more minutes until the topping is golden.
- Cool and Serve: Let the apples cool for about 5 minutes before serving. They are delicious topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce.
Recipe Tips
- How do I slice the apples without cutting all the way through? A great trick is to place a chopstick or the handle of a wooden spoon on either side of the apple half. This will stop your knife from cutting all the way to the bottom, ensuring the base stays intact.
- What are the best apples to use for baking? Firm, crisp apples that hold their shape are best. Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Braeburn, and Granny Smith are all excellent choices that won’t turn to mush in the oven.
- Can I make this ahead of time? This dessert is best served warm from the oven. However, you can prepare the apples and the streusel topping ahead of time and store them separately in the refrigerator. Assemble and bake just before you plan to serve.
- How do I get the streusel extra crispy? Make sure your butter is cold when you mix the streusel. This will help it stay in small clumps and become crispier as it bakes, rather than melting into the apple.
What To Serve With Hasselback Apples
This warm and comforting dessert is a perfect canvas for creamy and rich toppings:
- A scoop of vanilla bean or cinnamon ice cream
- A generous drizzle of warm caramel or butterscotch sauce
- A dollop of whipped cream or crème fraîche
- A sprinkle of toasted pecans or walnuts for extra crunch
How To Store Hasselback Apples
- Refrigerate: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheating: Reheat gently in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes or in the microwave until warmed through. The streusel will soften upon refrigeration but will still be delicious.
Hasselback Apples Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 250-300 kcal (without ice cream)
- Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Protein: 1g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Yes, this “hasselback” technique also works wonderfully with firm pears. You may need to adjust the baking time slightly depending on the ripeness of the pears.
Absolutely. If you don’t have rolled oats, you can simply omit them from the streusel topping for a more classic, crumbly topping.
This can happen if you use a softer variety of apple (like Red Delicious or McIntosh) that doesn’t hold up well to baking, or if they were slightly overbaked. Using a firm, crisp apple is key.
Try More Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Apple Cider Doughnut Cake Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Caramel Apple Martini Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Caramel Apple Sheet Cake Recipe
Hasselback Apples Recipe
Course: DessertCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy4
servings15
minutes35
minutes300
kcalTender baked apples are sliced, basted with a warm cinnamon-sugar butter, and topped with a crunchy, golden-brown oat streusel.
Ingredients
3 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
3 tbsp packed brown sugar, divided
3/4 tsp ground cinnamon, divided
2 large, firm apples (e.g., Honeycrisp)
1 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 tbsp old-fashioned rolled oats
Pinch of salt
Directions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Peel, halve, and core the apples.
- Slice the apple halves crosswise, not cutting all the way through.
- Brush with a mixture of 1 tbsp melted butter, 1 tbsp brown sugar, and ½ tsp cinnamon.
- Place in a greased baking dish, cover with foil, and bake for 20 minutes.
- Make a streusel with the remaining 2 tbsp butter, 2 tbsp brown sugar, ¼ tsp cinnamon, flour, oats, and salt.
- Uncover apples, top with streusel, and bake at 425°F for 15 more minutes until golden.
- Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use firm, crisp apples like Honeycrisp or Pink Lady that hold their shape well when baked.
- Placing chopsticks on either side of the apple while slicing is an easy way to prevent cutting all the way through.
- This dessert is best served warm, fresh from the oven, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and certified gluten-free oats.
