The easiest recipe on the planet – baked apples filled with dried tart cherries, pecans, and brown sugar, then topped with ice-cream inspired yogurt for an ‘a la mode’ effect!
I share so many sweets on this blog, but in between all that, we are quite focused on balanced nutrition in my household. Lighter desserts like this are one of the ways we get to feel like we’re indulging, but without the guilt. These Baked Apples ‘a la mode’ are a dessert that is definitely guilt-free! A dessert so delicious that it feels like I’m getting away with something… when actually, it’s rather nutritious!
Fruit and yogurt are like that though! They taste like treats and cheats, but are foods you can feel good about! I really love decadent and indulgent desserts, but I need to have a solid stash of lighter dessert recipes too, and this is one is a winner. These Baked Apples are topped with an ice cream-inspired yogurt in the Vanilla Bean flavor. The effect of the yogurt topping on the baked apples makes you feel like you’re having apple pie with ice cream on top, except this version is much lighter!
Baked Apples a la mode
Ingredients
- 2 large apples I like fuji or gala for baking!
- 1/3 c. tart dried cherries
- 1/3 c. pecans
- 1/4 c. packed brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
- 2 tbsp. butter
- 1/2 c. water or apple juice
- 2 - 5.3 oz. containers Muller Ice Cream Inspired Yogurt in Vanilla Bean
Instructions
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Lightly grease an 8x8 inch baking pan.
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In a small bowl, combine cherries, pecans, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Set aside.
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Cut the apples in half vertically. Using a spoon or melon baller, scoop out the core of the apples to hollow out the middle - just the core and seeds.
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Set the apples in the baking dish, with the hollows facing up.
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Divide the brown sugar filling evenly among the apples, spooning it into the hollows.
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Place a 1/2 tbsp. pat of butter on top of each apple in the middle.
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Pour the water or apple juice into the bottom of the baking pan.
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Bake at 350 degrees for about 35-40 minutes or until apples are soft and tender.
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Allow to cool for about 10 minutes.
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Serve warm, with Muller Vanilla Bean yogurt spooned generously over the top!
mira says
February 11, 2015 at 9:42 amI really enjoyed these yogurts and they will taste even better over these baked apples! They look fantastic! Pinned!
Sarah says
February 11, 2015 at 10:12 pmI thought they were delicious too, and your Tiramisu Parfaits are *stunning,* Mira!!!
Jen @ Baked by an Introvert says
February 11, 2015 at 11:11 amThis is a fabulous creation, Sarah! I love baked apples. The filling with the yogurt over top sounds wonderful!
Sarah says
February 11, 2015 at 10:12 pmThank you, Jen! It gave it a fun ‘a la mode’ flavor! 🙂
Manali @ CookWithManali says
February 11, 2015 at 12:25 pmOoo that’s a fun way to eat apples! Very creative recipe Sarah! 🙂
Sarah says
February 11, 2015 at 10:12 pmThank you! I was trying to think outside the box. I’m glad you like it, Manali!
Cyndi - My Kitchen Craze says
February 11, 2015 at 1:54 pmI would love one of these baked apples right now!! What a great recipe! Love!! Pinned! 😉
Sarah says
February 11, 2015 at 10:13 pmWe ate them up FAST! Haha! Thank you, Cyndi! 🙂
Carolyn West says
February 11, 2015 at 7:13 pmBaked apples are one of my favorite things to eat – I can totally see them topped with the Muller yogurt. What a great treat. #client
Sarah says
February 11, 2015 at 10:21 pmThanks, Carolyn! I’m so glad you like them! They were gone fast in my house!! 🙂
Liane says
February 11, 2015 at 10:00 pmI too can eat yogurt every day (although just a morning routine, haha), and this recipe takes it to a new, but still healthy level. Delish!
Sarah says
February 11, 2015 at 10:21 pmThank you! That’s what I was going for! So glad you like it! 🙂
Barb says
February 11, 2015 at 10:08 pmI’m getting inspired by these healthier but decadent desserts! I love getting to satisfy my sweet tooth without the guilt! Thanks for posting them. This one sounds great!
Sarah says
February 11, 2015 at 10:31 pmI think you would have no idea that this is nutritious! It tastes like a truly indulgent dessert! 🙂
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
February 12, 2015 at 8:19 amLove these baked apples, Sarah! The brown sugar pecan cherry filling sounds amazing with the yogurt topping! So fun and creative!
Sarah says
February 12, 2015 at 8:25 amAww, thank you so much, friend!
Jeff says
February 12, 2015 at 8:53 amWe’ve been dying for some healthier desserts lately. I love apples and yogurt, so these look perfect. Do you think honeycrisps would work? Have you ever tried baking with them?
Sarah says
February 12, 2015 at 9:21 pmI love Honeycrisps so much fresh that I never have baked with them. I like Fuji, Gala, and also Granny Smith for baking, BUT I have read that honeycrisps are good to bake with too. I’d think that would be true because they’re pretty crispy and crunchy. Firmer apples like that bake well because they don’t tend to mush and get too soft!
Jeff says
February 12, 2015 at 8:54 amAlso, “ice cream inspired yogurt” sounds amazing. I’ve got to try that.
Sarah says
February 12, 2015 at 9:21 pmIt was really good! I like the Mint Chocolate Chip one a lot!
Nancy P.@thebittersideofsweet says
February 12, 2015 at 1:35 pmNow this is the my kind of dessert! Looks amazing!
Sarah says
February 12, 2015 at 9:23 pmThanks so much, Nancy! 🙂
Claire @ A Little Claireification says
February 13, 2015 at 9:41 amOh wow – I have to make these for Mr. Claire ASAP. Love the yogurt topping! Pinned!
Sarah says
February 13, 2015 at 6:08 pmThey are so simple and delicious! Thank you, Claire!
Carrie @Frugal Foodie Mama says
February 13, 2015 at 10:01 amThis sounds and looks amazing, Sarah! 🙂 I always love finding new dessert recipes that leave guilt out of the ingredients list, lol.
Sarah says
February 13, 2015 at 6:08 pmLol! I always need guilt-free dessert options. Always! Thanks, Carrie!
Lindsay says
February 15, 2015 at 7:31 pmMaking these tomorrow for mid-morning snack! It is a holiday with snow in the forecast, and I can’t imagine anything more delicious. Might use dried cranberries instead of cherries. Love those yogurts; I get them at Kroger!
Sarah says
February 15, 2015 at 9:29 pmFixed it for ya – cranberries would be delicious too! I love apple and cranberries together. Let me know how these work out for you! So glad you like the recipe! 🙂