Description
Baked Apples with Feta, Honey, and Cranberries is a delightful dish that combines the sweetness of apples with the savory flavors of feta cheese and the tartness of cranberries. This recipe is a perfect balance of flavors, making it a great option for a cozy dessert or a unique side dish.
Ingredients
Apples:
- 4 medium apples (such as Honeycrisp or Gala)
Feta Mixture:
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Additional Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, divided
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a baking dish.
- Core the apples: Carefully core each apple, leaving about ½ inch intact at the bottom to hold the filling.
- Mix the filling: In a small bowl, combine the feta, cranberries, cinnamon, and vanilla extract. Stir until evenly mixed.
- Stuff the apples: Place the cored apples in the baking dish and stuff each with the feta mixture, pressing gently.
- Add honey and butter: Drizzle honey over each apple, then place a small pat of butter on top of each.
- Bake covered: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes, until the apples are tender.
- Brown and finish: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes until the tops are golden.
- Garnish and serve: Let the apples cool slightly, then sprinkle with fresh mint if desired. Serve warm.
Notes
- Apple Variety: Honeycrisp or Gala apples hold their shape well and work best for baking, but feel free to experiment with others.
- Make it Vegan: Substitute dairy-free feta and plant-based butter for a vegan version!
- Additional Add-Ins: Chopped nuts or a sprinkle of brown sugar can be added to the filling for extra texture and sweetness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Dessert/Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 baked apple
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 21g
- Sodium: 190mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
