Tangy Blue Cheese & Honey Baked Apples Recipe – Sweet Harmony

Baked apples dance with an unexpected culinary melody, blending sweet and savory notes that challenge traditional dessert boundaries.

Creamy blue cheese and golden honey upgrade ordinary fruit into an extraordinary taste experience.

Warm spices mingle with caramelized apple edges, creating a sensory journey that awakens your palate.

The subtle tang of aged cheese perfectly complements the natural sugars in ripe fruit.

Each ingredient plays a unique role in crafting a sophisticated yet approachable dish that surprises and delights.

Texture becomes as important as flavor, with soft, tender apples contrasting against crumbly cheese and smooth honey drizzle.

Seasonal ingredients merge into a harmonious creation that feels both comforting and elegant.

Baked Apples with Blue Cheese and Honey: A Perfect Pairing

• Savor Unexpected Flavor Combinations: The recipe brilliantly marries sweet apples with tangy blue cheese, creating a sophisticated taste profile that surprises and delights the palate.
• Enjoy Minimal Prep, Maximum Flavor: This recipe requires simple techniques and few ingredients, allowing home cooks to create an impressive dish with minimal effort and time investment.
• Experience Textural Wonderland: Soft, tender baked apples contrast beautifully with crisp cranberries and crunchy walnuts, delivering a multi-dimensional sensory experience in every bite.
• Create Versatile Gourmet Side Dish: Perfect for elegant dinner parties, cozy autumn gatherings, or as a unique accompaniment to main courses, these baked apples elevate any meal with their sophisticated yet approachable charm.

Ingredients for Baked Apples with Blue Cheese and Honey

Main Ingredients:

Apples: Sweet, firm apples perfect for baking with a nice structure that holds shape during cooking. Varieties like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith work best.

Blue Cheese: Tangy, creamy cheese that adds rich flavor and depth to the baked apples. Look for high-quality, crumbly blue cheese with strong character.

Seasoning and Flavor Enhancers:

Honey: Natural sweetener that brings gentle sweetness and golden glaze to the baked apples. Choose raw or local honey for best flavor.

Thyme: Fresh herb that provides earthy, subtle aromatics complementing the sweet and savory elements. Select bright green, fragrant thyme leaves.

Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings for balancing and enhancing overall taste profile. Use freshly ground black pepper for maximum flavor.

Optional Toppings and Additions:

Olive Oil: Light coating to help prevent apples from sticking and promote even browning. Select extra virgin olive oil for best taste.

Cranberries: Tart dried fruit that adds bright color and slight tanginess. Opt for plump, unsweetened dried cranberries.

Walnuts: Crunchy nut that provides textural contrast and nutty richness. Choose fresh, crisp walnuts without bitter undertones.

How to Prepare Baked Apples with Blue Cheese and Honey

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Heat the oven to 375°F. Position the rack in the middle of the oven for even cooking.

Step 2: Prepare the Apples

• Wash the apples thoroughly
• Cut apples in half
• Use a melon baller or small spoon to remove the cores
• Create a small well in each apple half

Step 3: Season and Stuff the Apples

• Lightly drizzle olive oil over apple halves
• Fill each apple half with
• Crumbled blue cheese
• Dried cranberries

Step 4: Bake the Apples

Place apple halves in a baking dish and bake for 15-20 minutes. The apples should be soft but still hold their shape, and the cheese should be melted.

Step 5: Add Final Touches

• Remove apples from oven
• Drizzle with honey
• Sprinkle fresh thyme leaves
• Season with salt and pepper to taste

Step 6: Add Optional Crunch

Sprinkle chopped walnuts over the baked apples for extra texture.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Serve the apples warm as a delightful side dish or light dessert. Best enjoyed immediately after baking.

Best Tips for Baked Apples with Blue Cheese and Honey

• Choose Ripe Apples: Select firm, slightly tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp that hold their shape during baking and complement the blue cheese's rich flavor.
• Prevent Browning: Toss apple halves with a little lemon juice to keep them from oxidizing and maintain their fresh, appetizing appearance.
• Control Cheese Melting: Crumble blue cheese into small pieces to ensure even melting and consistent flavor distribution throughout the apple.
• Adjust Baking Time: Check apples at 15 minutes to prevent overcooking; they should be tender but not mushy, maintaining a slight firmness.
• Enhance Flavor Balance: Use a high-quality honey with floral notes and fresh thyme to elevate the overall taste profile of the dish.

Storing and Reheating Baked Apples with Blue Cheese and Honey

• Refrigeration: Store leftover baked apples in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Cover the container tightly to prevent the apples from absorbing other food odors.
• Reheating: Warm the apples gently in the oven at 325°F for 10-15 minutes to maintain their texture and prevent them from becoming mushy. Alternatively, use the microwave for a quick 30-45 second warm-up, checking halfway through to ensure even heating.
• Serving Tip: Drizzle a fresh layer of honey and sprinkle additional thyme leaves before serving to revive the flavors and make the leftovers taste just as delicious as when first baked.

Pairing Baked Apples with Blue Cheese and Honey

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Complement the rich blue cheese and sweet honey with a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, cutting through the creamy texture and enhancing the apple's natural sweetness.
• Match with Nutty Side Salad: Create a balanced plate by serving a light arugula salad with toasted almonds and a light vinaigrette, which will echo the walnuts and provide a fresh contrast to the warm baked apples.
• Accompany with Rustic Bread: Serve warm, crusty sourdough or whole grain bread on the side to soak up the honey and melted cheese, adding a delightful textural element to the dish.
• End with Sparkling Dessert Drink: Finish the meal with a small glass of Prosecco or sparkling apple cider, mirroring the apple's flavor and cleansing the palate with its effervescent brightness.

Fun Variations of Baked Apples with Blue Cheese and Honey

• Savory Apple Crumble: Replace blue cheese with goat cheese, add crispy bacon bits, and top with a sage breadcrumb mixture for a hearty, rustic version.
• Mediterranean Stuffed Apples: Incorporate feta cheese, chopped kalamata olives, and fresh rosemary, then finish with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil for a Greek-inspired flavor profile.
• Autumn Spice Bake: Mix blue cheese with chopped pecans, add a sprinkle of cinnamon and nutmeg, and use maple syrup instead of honey to create a warm, seasonal variation that captures fall's essence.
• Protein-Packed Apple Boats: Blend blue cheese with crumbled cooked chicken or turkey, add chopped spinach, and garnish with toasted pumpkin seeds for a more substantial, protein-rich option.

Baked Apples With Blue Cheese And Honey Delight Recipe

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4.8 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Baked Apples with Blue Cheese and Honey Delight merges sweet and savory flavors from classic countryside kitchens. Warm spices, creamy blue cheese, and golden honey create a sophisticated dessert that promises rich layers of comfort and elegance for discerning palates.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4 apples (ripe but firm), halved and cored
• 1 cup (150 grams) crumbled blue cheese
• 1 cup (150 grams) dried cranberries

Flavor Enhancers:

• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) honey
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves

Seasoning:

• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste

Optional Topping:

• Chopped walnuts for garnish

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating it to 375°F (190°C), ensuring an even temperature for optimal baking.
2. Carefully halve the apples, then use a melon baller or small spoon to remove the cores, creating a neat cavity in each half.
3. Arrange the apple halves with the cut side facing upward in a baking dish, positioning them for even cooking.
4. Lightly brush the apple surfaces with olive oil to enhance flavor and prevent drying.
5. Fill each apple cavity generously with crumbled blue cheese, ensuring a rich and creamy distribution.
6. Sprinkle dried cranberries over the cheese-filled apples, adding a burst of tangy sweetness.
7. Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, watching for the apples to soften while maintaining their structural integrity.
8. Remove the dish from the oven once the apples are tender and the cheese has melted completely.
9. Drizzle high-quality honey over the warm apples, creating a glistening and aromatic finish.
10. Scatter fresh thyme leaves across the surface, releasing their fragrant herbal notes.
11. Season with a light pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper to balance the flavors.
12. For added texture, sprinkle chopped walnuts over the baked apples, providing a delightful crunch.
13. Serve immediately while warm, allowing the flavors to meld and the textures to shine.

Notes

• Precise Oven Temperature Matters: Preheat exactly to 375°F to ensure even cooking and perfect apple softness without burning.
• Cheese Selection is Key: Choose a creamy blue cheese with balanced tanginess that melts beautifully and complements the sweet apples.
• Core Carefully for Best Results: Create a deep, clean well in apple halves to maximize space for cheese and prevent spillage during baking.
• Timing is Crucial: Watch apples closely during 15-20 minute baking window to maintain structural integrity while achieving tender texture.
• Flavor Layering Technique: Drizzle honey after baking to preserve its delicate sweetness and sprinkle fresh thyme for an aromatic finish.
• Customize with Confidence: Experiment with walnut additions or adjust seasoning to transform this simple recipe into your personal gourmet creation.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 285 kcal
• Sugar: 28 g
• Sodium: 320 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg