Introduction

Caramel Stuffed Bloomin’ Apples are a delightful twist on a classic dessert, combining tender baked apples with gooey caramel hidden inside each slice. Perfect for cozy evenings, this treat pairs beautifully with vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce for an indulgent finish.

The image shows whole red apples with their tops placed back on, each apple cut into several thick slices that are partly pulled away, revealing a scoop of smooth, white vanilla ice cream nestled inside the core space. The apple slices have a cinnamon-sugar coating, giving them a slightly grainy texture and golden brown color. A woman's hand is holding a small clear glass pitcher, pouring a rich, golden caramel sauce over the ice cream in the front apple, with the sauce slowly dripping down the ice cream and apple slices. The setup is on a black tray with a dark background, creating a strong contrast that highlights the warm caramel, the creamy ice cream, and the shiny red apple skins. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

Cooking Spray
4 tablespoons melted butter
1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
4 firm, crisp apples (such as Honeycrisp)
8 chewy caramel squares
Vanilla ice cream (for serving)
Caramel sauce (for drizzling)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F or set your air fryer to 350°F. In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon until combined.
Step 2: Slice the top off each apple and carefully core them leaving the bottom intact. Place each apple cut-side down and make thin crosswise slices about halfway through the apple, being careful not to slice all the way through.
Step 3: Insert two caramel squares inside the slices of each apple. Brush the butter and sugar mixture generously over the tops and into the apple crevices.
Step 4: For oven baking, spray a baking dish with cooking spray, place the apples inside, and bake for about 30 minutes until tender. For air frying, place the apples in the air fryer basket and cook at 350°F for about 20 minutes.
Step 5: Serve the warm, caramel-stuffed apples immediately topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce.

Tips & Variations

Choose firm apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith to hold their shape well during baking.
For extra crunch, sprinkle chopped nuts over the apples before baking.
Try swapping caramel squares for chocolate pieces or peanut butter cups for a different flavor.
If you don’t have a corer, carefully use a paring knife to hollow out the center of the apples.

Storage

Store any leftover baked apples in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or warm them in the oven before serving. Adding fresh ice cream and caramel sauce after reheating will refresh the dessert.

How to Serve

The image shows four baked red apples with their tops sliced off and placed beside them. Each apple is opened like a flower with five thick petal-like sections, revealing a golden, cinnamon-sugar baked interior. In the center of each apple sits a large scoop of creamy, pale yellow vanilla ice cream. A woman's hand is pouring warm, golden caramel sauce from a small clear glass pitcher, with the sauce flowing over the ice cream and drizzling down the apple petals. The apples are on a black baking tray against a dark background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of apples for this recipe?

Yes, but it’s best to use firm, crisp apples like Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Fuji, which hold their shape well when baked and provide a nice balance of sweetness and tartness.

Can I prepare these in advance?

While you can core and slice the apples ahead of time, it’s best to add the caramel and bake them just before serving to prevent the apples from browning and to keep the caramel soft and gooey.

Caramel Stuffed Bloomin’ Apples Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 134 reviews

Delightful Caramel Stuffed Bloomin’ Apples featuring tender baked apples filled with gooey caramel squares, brushed with a cinnamon-sugar butter mixture, and served warm with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce. This dessert combines the natural sweetness and crunch of crisp apples with rich caramel and warm spices for a comforting treat perfect for any occasion.

Author: Tara
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes (oven) or 20 minutes (air fryer)
Total Time: 45 minutes (oven) or 35 minutes (air fryer)
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

For the Apples

4 firm, crisp apples (such as Honeycrisp)
8 chewy caramel squares

For the Butter Mixture

4 Tbsp melted butter
1 Tbsp packed brown sugar
1 Tbsp granulated sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Additional Ingredients

Cooking spray (for greasing)
Vanilla ice cream (for serving)
Caramel sauce (for drizzling)

Instructions

Preheat and Prepare Butter Mixture: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) or set your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and ground cinnamon until well combined.
Core and Slice Apples: Slice the top off each apple. Use a corer to remove the core, stopping before you reach the bottom of the apple to keep it intact. Place the apple cut-side down and make thin crosswise slices, being careful not to cut all the way through the bottom, so the apple opens like a bloom.
Stuff Apples with Caramel and Apply Butter Mixture: Insert two caramel squares into the hollowed core of each apple. Then, brush the cinnamon-sugar butter mixture generously all over the top of each apple and in between the slices to ensure the flavors penetrate the crevices.
Bake or Air Fry the Apples: For oven baking, lightly grease a baking dish with cooking spray and place the apples inside. Bake at 375°F for about 30 minutes or until the apples are tender. For air frying, place the apples in the air fryer basket and cook at 350°F for approximately 20 minutes until tender and caramel melted.
Serve Warm: Remove the apples carefully from the oven or air fryer. Serve immediately with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce for a decadent dessert experience.

Notes

Use firm and crisp apple varieties like Honeycrisp for the best texture and flavor.
Be careful not to slice all the way through the apple to maintain the bloomin’ shape.
If you don’t have caramel squares, soft caramel candies can be substituted.
Adjust baking or air frying time slightly depending on your appliance and apple size.
Serving with ice cream and caramel sauce is optional but highly recommended for added sweetness and creaminess.

Keywords: Caramel stuffed apples, baked apples, bloomin’ apples, cinnamon sugar apples, caramel dessert, warm apple dessert