Quick ‘n Sweet Baked Apples with Goat Cheese & Cranberry Recipe

Warm, gooey baked apples change ordinary desserts into extraordinary culinary experiences.

Sweet autumn fruits nestled in their golden-brown shells promise a delightful sensory journey.

creamy goat cheese adds unexpected richness, creating a sophisticated layer of flavor complexity.

Tart cranberries dance alongside the mellower ingredients, generating a vibrant taste profile that challenges traditional dessert expectations.

Each carefully prepared apple represents a canvas of textural contrasts and harmonious ingredients.

Rustically elegant yet surprisingly simple, this dish invites you to embrace seasonal cooking with confidence.

Your taste buds will celebrate the delicate balance of sweet, tangy, and creamy elements.

How to Make Baked Apples with Creamy Goat Cheese and Cranberry

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Warm up your oven to 375°F (190°C) to create the perfect baking environment for your apples.

Step 2: Prepare the Apples

Slice the apples in half and carefully remove the cores, creating a cozy space for the delicious filling.

Step 3: Set Up the Baking Dish

Arrange the apple halves in a baking dish with the cut side facing upward. Gently drizzle olive oil over the apples to help them develop a beautiful golden color.

Step 4: Create the Filling

• Crumbled goat cheese
• Chopped cranberries

Generously fill each apple half with this delightful mixture.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes. Look for tender apples and slightly melted cheese as your cue that they’re ready.

Step 6: Add Final Touches

• A drizzle of honey
• Fresh thyme sprinkles
• A pinch of salt and pepper

Step 7: Optional Garnish

For an extra crunch and elegant presentation, sprinkle chopped walnuts on top of the baked apples.

Serve warm and enjoy this delightful combination of sweet, tangy, and creamy flavors!

Tips for Baked Apples with Creamy Goat Cheese and Cranberry

• Select Perfect Apples: Choose firm, crisp varieties like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith that hold their shape during baking and provide a pleasant tartness.
• Prep Core Carefully: Use a melon baller or small spoon to create a clean, wide cavity without piercing the apple's bottom, ensuring even filling distribution.
• Balance Cheese Texture: Bring goat cheese to room temperature before mixing to achieve a smoother, more spreadable consistency that blends effortlessly with cranberries.
• Control Baking Time: Check apples at 15 minutes to prevent overcooking; they should be tender but not mushy, with a slight resistance when pierced with a fork.
• Enhance Flavor Layers: Toast walnuts briefly in a dry skillet before sprinkling to deepen their nutty profile and add a delightful aromatic dimension to the dish.

Storing and Reheating Baked Apples with Creamy Goat Cheese and Cranberry

• Refrigeration: Store leftover baked apples in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Seal tightly to prevent moisture loss and maintain flavor integrity.
• Reheating: Warm gently in the oven at 325F (160C) for 10-12 minutes. Cover with aluminum foil to prevent cheese from drying out and preserve the apple's tender texture.
• Freezing: Not recommended due to the creamy goat cheese and delicate apple structure. Fresh preparation yields the best taste and presentation.

Pairing Baked Apples with Creamy Goat Cheese and Cranberry

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: A chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio complements the tangy goat cheese and sweet-tart apple flavors, cutting through the richness while enhancing the dish's delicate herbs.
• Match with Nutty Accompaniment: Serve alongside a rustic walnut bread or almond biscotti to echo the nutty undertones from the walnuts and provide a delightful textural contrast to the soft, baked apples.
• Create a Complete Cheese Plate: Expand the appetizer by adding a small selection of mild aged cheeses like gruyère or brie, which will harmonize with the goat cheese and offer guests a more elaborate tasting experience.
• Offer Herbal Tea Finale: End the meal with a chamomile or lavender tea that mirrors the thyme's herbal notes, providing a soothing and complementary finish to the sweet and savory baked apples.

Creative Variations of Baked Apples with Creamy Goat Cheese and Cranberry

• Nutty Harvest Blend: Swap walnuts for toasted pecans and add a sprinkle of cinnamon to the goat cheese mixture for a warm, autumnal flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Fusion: Replace cranberries with chopped sun-dried tomatoes and mix in fresh basil leaves with the goat cheese for a savory Mediterranean-inspired version.
• Caramel Apple Elegance: Substitute honey with a light drizzle of caramel sauce and garnish with toasted almond slivers for a rich, decadent twist on the original recipe.
• Herbal Goat Cheese Remix: Mix fresh rosemary into the goat cheese filling and use green apples instead of red for a tangy, aromatic alternative that highlights fresh herb notes.

Baked Apples with Creamy Goat Cheese and Cranberry: A Fall Favorite

• Savor Sweet-Savory Harmony: The recipe masterfully blends the natural sweetness of baked apples with tangy goat cheese and tart cranberries, creating a delightful flavor profile that dances on your taste buds.
• Quick and Effortless Gourmet Experience: With just 15-20 minutes of baking time and simple preparation steps, this dish delivers restaurant-quality results without complicated techniques, making it perfect for busy home cooks.
• Textural Adventure in Every Bite: Soft, tender baked apples combined with creamy melted goat cheese and crunchy walnuts offer a multi-dimensional eating experience that keeps each mouthful exciting and interesting.
• Elegant Yet Versatile Dish: Suitable for both casual weeknight dinners and elegant gatherings, these baked apples can easily transition from a sophisticated appetizer to a light dessert, impressing guests with minimal effort.

Ingredients for Baked Apples with Creamy Goat Cheese and Cranberry

Main Ingredients:

Apples: Sweet and firm apples perfect for baking, with a robust structure that holds filling well. Prefer varieties like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for best results.

Goat Cheese: Creamy and tangy cheese that provides rich texture and distinctive flavor. Choose fresh, soft goat cheese for easy crumbling.

Cranberries: Tart and vibrant berries that add bright flavor and color to the dish. Select fresh or dried cranberries based on availability.

Supporting Ingredients:

Olive Oil: Light coating helps caramelize apple surfaces and adds subtle richness. Use extra virgin olive oil for best flavor.

Honey: Sweet drizzle that enhances apple’s natural sweetness and creates glossy finish. Select pure, local honey for best taste.

Thyme: Fresh herb that provides earthy, aromatic note to complement sweet and tangy components. Choose fresh thyme sprigs for maximum flavor.

Seasoning and Garnish:

Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and enhance overall flavor profile. Use kosher or sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Walnuts: Crunchy topping that adds texture and nutty complexity to the dish. Select raw, unsalted walnuts for best integration.

Baked Apples With Creamy Goat Cheese And Cranberry Delight Recipe

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• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Baked apples showcase a delightful fusion of sweet and tangy flavors from France. Goat cheese and cranberries nestled inside warm, caramelized apples create a perfect autumn dessert you’ll savor with pure culinary joy.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4 firm apples, halved and cored
• ½ cup (120 ml) crumbled goat cheese

Flavor Enhancers:

• ¼ cup (40 g) dried cranberries, chopped
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) honey

Seasonings and Extras:

• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

Optional Garnish:

• Chopped walnuts

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Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius), creating an ideal environment for even apple roasting.
2. Carefully slice apples in half, meticulously scooping out the core to form a perfect hollow for the upcoming filling.
3. Arrange apple halves in a ceramic baking dish with the cut side facing upward, generously brushing each half with extra virgin olive oil to encourage delicate caramelization.
4. Craft a luxurious filling by gently mixing crumbled artisan goat cheese with finely chopped tart cranberries, ensuring a harmonious blend of tangy and sweet flavors.
5. Generously spoon the cheese and cranberry mixture into the center of each apple half, allowing the filling to mound slightly above the rim.
6. Transfer the prepared apples to the preheated oven and roast for 15-20 minutes, watching for the apples to become tender and the cheese to develop a gentle, molten texture.
7. Once baked, retrieve the dish and enhance the apples with a delicate drizzle of golden honey, then sprinkle freshly chopped thyme leaves and a whisper of sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
8. For an elegant finish, garnish with roughly chopped walnuts, adding a satisfying crunch and visual appeal to the dish.

Notes

• Select firm, ripe apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith that hold their shape during baking and provide a perfect balance of tartness and sweetness.
• Prep the apple halves carefully by scooping out seeds and creating a generous cavity for the luxurious goat cheese and cranberry filling.
• Olive oil helps create a beautiful caramelized exterior, bringing out the natural sugars and enhancing the apple’s golden-brown finish.
• Crumbled goat cheese adds a creamy, tangy element that perfectly complements the sweet and tart cranberry mixture.
• Fresh thyme and honey provide a sophisticated flavor profile, transforming this simple dish into an elegant appetizer or dessert.
• Toasted walnuts contribute a delightful crunch and nutty undertone, elevating the texture and visual appeal of the baked apples.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 210 kcal
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 125 mg
• Fat: 11 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg