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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating it to 375°F (190°C), ensuring an even temperature for optimal baking.
- Carefully halve the apples, then use a melon baller or small spoon to remove the cores, creating a neat cavity in each half.
- Arrange the apple halves with the cut side facing upward in a baking dish, positioning them for even cooking.
- Lightly brush the apple surfaces with olive oil to enhance flavor and prevent drying.
- Fill each apple cavity generously with crumbled blue cheese, ensuring a rich and creamy distribution.
- Sprinkle dried cranberries over the cheese-filled apples, adding a burst of tangy sweetness.
- 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.
- Remove the dish from the oven once the apples are tender and the cheese has melted completely.
- Drizzle high-quality honey over the warm apples, creating a glistening and aromatic finish.
- Scatter fresh thyme leaves across the surface, releasing their fragrant herbal notes.
- Season with a light pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper to balance the flavors.
- For added texture, sprinkle chopped walnuts over the baked apples, providing a delightful crunch.
- 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