1-Step One: Preheat Your Oven Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F. This temperature allows the apples to cook through evenly while developing that beautiful caramelized exterior. While the oven heats, gather all your ingredients and equipment you’ll need a 9×13-inch baking dish and basic kitchen tools like a vegetable peeler, knife, and mixing spoon.

2-Step Two: Prepare the Apples Peel, core, and slice your apples into even pieces, about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Consistent slice thickness ensures all pieces cook at the same rate you don’t want some apple slices turning mushy while others remain crunchy. A sharp vegetable peeler makes quick work of the peeling process, while an apple corer can speed up the prep significantly. Place your prepared apple slices directly into your 9×13-inch baking dish. The size of the dish matters it should be large enough to hold all the apples in a single layer or close to it, allowing even exposure to heat.

3-Step Three: Season and Toss Now comes the flavor magic. Pour the lemon juice over your apple slices first this coating prevents oxidation and keeps your apples looking fresh and appetizing. Then add the brown sugar, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and cornstarch. Using clean hands or a large spoon, toss everything together until each apple slice is evenly coated with the spice-sugar mixture. The cornstarch might seem like a small addition, but it plays a crucial role. As the apples bake and release their natural juices, the cornstarch thickens those juices into a luscious sauce rather than a watery pool.

4-Step Four: Add Butter and Cover Evenly distribute the apple mixture in your baking dish, then dot the top with your sliced unsalted butter. Don’t worry if the butter looks like it’s sitting on top during baking, it will melt and incorporate beautifully into the sauce. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. This initial covering creates a steam environment that helps the apples soften evenly without drying out or browning too quickly on top.

5-Step Five: Bake with Regular Stirring Place your covered dish in the preheated 375°F oven and bake for 30-40 minutes. Here’s the secret to perfect Cinnamon Baked Apples: stir every 10-15 minutes during baking. Each time you open the oven and lift the foil, give everything a gentle stir. This accomplishes several things:* Ensures even cooking and sauce distribution* Prevents sticking to the bottom of the dish* Promotes better caramelization of the sugars* Allows you to monitor the consistency During the first stir, you might notice the butter has melted and looks greasy don’t panic! This is completely normal. As baking continues and you stir periodically, the butter incorporates fully into the developing sauce. The mixture transforms from separated and greasy to glossy and cohesive.

6-Step Six: Rest and Serve Once your apples are fork-tender and swimming in a thickened, caramel-colored sauce, remove the dish from the oven. Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving. This resting period allows the sauce to set slightly and the flavors to meld together. Serve your Cinnamon Baked Apples warm in bowls, optionally topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. The contrast between the warm, spiced apples and cold, creamy topping creates an unforgettable dessert experience. For another delicious dessert option, try this creamy pumpkin cheesecake that pairs beautifully with the fall season.