Microwave Baked Apple
A perfectly tender apple stuffed with a buttery brown sugar-cinnamon filling, microwaved until soft and caramelized. This quick dessert delivers warm apple pie flavors in just minutes with minimal effort and ingredients.
Ingredients
- 1 medium apple Honeycrisp, Gala, or Granny Smith work best
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar light or dark
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon chopped nuts walnuts or pecans – optional
- 1 tablespoon raisins or dried cranberries – optional
- Splash of water about 1 tablespoon
- Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for serving optional
Instructions
- Core the apple without cutting all the way through the bottom. Leave about ¼ inch intact to create a bowl effect for the filling. Remove the seeds and tough center, creating a 1-inch diameter hole.
- Mix the filling in a small bowl by combining brown sugar, cinnamon, butter, and optional nuts and dried fruit until well incorporated.
- Stuff the apple cavity with your filling mixture, packing it in well but not overflowing. The filling will melt and bubble during cooking.
- Place the apple in a microwave-safe dish and add a splash of water to the bottom. This creates steam that helps cook the apple evenly.
- Cover loosely with a microwave-safe lid or microwave-safe plastic wrap with one corner vented.
- Microwave on high for 3-4 minutes until the apple is tender when pierced with a fork. Cooking time may vary depending on your microwave’s power and the apple’s size.
- Let stand for 2 minutes before serving as the filling will be extremely hot and will continue cooking slightly.
- Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream if desired.
Notes
- Firmer apple varieties like Honeycrisp, Gala, or Granny Smith hold their shape best during microwaving.
- For a dairy-free version, replace butter with coconut oil.
- The apple skin helps the fruit maintain its shape during cooking, so leave it on.
- You can prepare several apples in advance (steps 1-3) and refrigerate until ready to microwave.
- If you prefer a softer apple, simply microwave for an additional 30-60 seconds.