National Apple Month makes October a wonderful time to enjoy apples, and these baked apples with brown sugar and marshmallows are one of my favorite ways to celebrate.

“An apple a day keeps the doctor away” is a familiar saying. For me, one apple a day sometimes isn’t enough! I love their crunch, sweetness and juiciness, and how easily they can be packed for a snack.

I usually purchase more than I think I’ll need. There are always ways to enjoy them in salads and other dishes, especially desserts such as baked apples, cobblers and homemade apple pie.

Enjoying Apples During National Apple Month

Who doesn’t enjoy homemade apple pie? Serve it with homemade whipped cream, ice cream or sharp cheddar cheese, and you have a comforting treat.

For pies, I like tart apples. They make the apple flavor sing against the sweetness of the filling. A generous helping of apple slices is part of the pleasure, too.

However, you don’t need to make pastry to enjoy a warm apple dessert. Baked apples give you tender fruit, brown sugar and warming spices with very little preparation.

For another way to enjoy the harvest, try my homemade spiced applesauce for National Apple Month. You can also browse our apple recipes and October food holidays and events for more inspiration.

Baked Apples with Brown Sugar and Marshmallows

When I make baked apples, everyone’s faces in the household light up. There is something lovely about a warm apple filled with brown sugar and spices, especially during the fall harvest.

This recipe is written for one apple. Multiply the ingredients by the number of apples you want to bake, and choose an ovenproof dish that holds them upright.

• Recipe type: Dessert
• Yield: 1 baked apple; multiply as needed
• Prep time: About 10 minutes
• Bake time: Approximately 35–45 minutes, plus 3–5 minutes for the marshmallow
• Oven temperature: 350°F / 175°C

Ingredients

• 1 apple suitable for baking
• Softened butter, as needed to lightly coat the apple inside and out
• Approximately 2 tbsp brown sugar, adjusted to the size of the apple and your taste
• A small dash of ground black pepper
• Ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves or allspice, as desired
• 1 large marshmallow

Optional Toppings for Baked Apples

• Maraschino cherry
• Ice cream
• Homemade whipped cream
• Sharp cheddar cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F / 175°C.
2. Wash the apple and remove the stem. Carefully remove the core and seeds from the top, leaving the bottom intact so the filling stays inside.
3. Lightly coat the skin and the inside of the cavity with softened butter. Place the apple upright in an ovenproof baking dish.
4. Fill the cavity with brown sugar, a small dash of pepper and your chosen spices. Use a light hand with cloves and allspice so they don’t overpower the apple.
5. Bake for approximately 35–45 minutes, until the flesh is tender when pierced with a knife but the apple still holds its shape. Start checking earlier if your apple is small; larger apples may need longer.
6. Place a large marshmallow over the opening and return the apple to the oven for another 3–5 minutes, until the marshmallow softens. Watch it closely.
7. Allow the apple to cool briefly before serving. The filling will be very hot. Spoon any juices from the baking dish over the apple and add an optional topping if you like.

Make Your Baked Apple Your Own

Cinnamon is a lovely starting point, but you can choose the spices that appeal to you that day. A little nutmeg, cloves or allspice brings a different character to the brown sugar filling.

The small dash of pepper is part of my original recipe. It adds a gentle savory note alongside the sweetness.

For me, the softened marshmallow is often enough of a finishing touch. However, some people like a cherry on top, a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. Sharp cheddar cheese is another delicious option if you enjoy a sweet and savory combination.

Serve the apples warm, with spoons ready to scoop out the tender flesh and filling. It is a simple dessert that lets the fruit remain the star.

Easy, satisfying and delicious! — Ingrid Turner

Thanks for joining me on Cooking with Kimberly. You can also visit my blog at IngridTurnerToday.com.

What is your favorite topping for a warm baked apple?

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