Description
Rustic baked apples with creamy goat cheese and cranberry delight blend sweet and tangy flavors from traditional orchards. Mediterranean ingredients dance together, creating a delectable dessert connecting seasonal harvest with elegant culinary craft.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 whole apples (firm, halved and cored)
- ½ cup (120 ml / 4 fl oz) goat cheese (crumbled)
- ¼ cup (40 g / 1.4 oz) dried cranberries (chopped)
- 2 tbsps (30 ml / 1 fl oz) honey
- 1 tbsp (15 ml / 0.5 fl oz) olive oil
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
- Salt (to taste)
- Pepper (to taste)
- Chopped walnuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C), positioning rack in the middle for uniform heat distribution.
- Apple Transformation: Halve apples and delicately excavate cores, creating elegant vessels for the upcoming filling. Arrange cut-side up in a ceramic baking dish, tenderly brushing with extra virgin olive oil to promote caramelized edges.
- Flavor Composition: Combine crumbled goat cheese with chopped cranberries, crafting a harmonious mixture that balances tangy and sweet notes. Generously fill each apple cavity, allowing the mixture to peak above the rim.
- Roasting Ritual: Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven, roasting for 15-20 minutes until apples soften and cheese becomes luxuriously melted. Look for a golden, slightly bubbling surface that indicates perfect doneness.
- Finishing Flourish: Remove from oven and elevate the dish with a graceful drizzle of honey. Sprinkle fresh thyme leaves, a whisper of sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Crown with roughly chopped walnuts, introducing a delightful textural contrast and rustic elegance.
Notes
- Cheese Selection: Use soft, creamy goat cheese with high moisture content for optimal melting and smooth texture.
- Apple Preparation: Choose firm, baking-friendly varieties like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith that hold shape during roasting.
- Caramelization Tip: Brush olive oil generously to ensure even browning and enhance natural apple sweetness.
- Serving Suggestion: Enjoy warm immediately after baking to experience the perfect balance of melted cheese and tender fruit texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg