Cozy Autumn Magic: Ina Garten’s Tuscan Baked Apples Recipe

Sweet autumn evenings call for a delightful Tuscan baked apples recipe that whispers comfort and warmth.

Ina Garten crafted this simple dessert with rustic Italian elegance and minimal ingredients.

Her approach captures the essence of seasonal baking with surprising depth of flavor.

Crisp apples meld perfectly with rich cinnamon and sweet honey, creating a dessert that feels both sophisticated and homey.

Each bite promises a delectable journey through Tuscan-inspired sweetness.

Robust and uncomplicated, this recipe turns ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary treat that will impress anyone around your table.

Grab your ingredients and let the magic of Italian-style baking begin.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 230 kcal

Servings: 6

Ingredients for Ina Garten’s Tuscan Baked Apples

• Apples: Select firm, sweet-tart varieties like Honeycrisp or Gala with sturdy structure for elegant baking performance.
• Sugar: Enhances natural apple sweetness and creates delightful caramelization during roasting.

• Raisins, Golden Raisins: Add subtle chewy texture and concentrated fruity sweetness inside apple cavities.
• Butter: Provides rich, smooth coating and helps create golden, glossy apple exterior.

• Vin Santo: Classic Italian dessert wine delivering complex, nutty undertones and sophisticated flavor depth.
• Mascarpone: Luxurious Italian cream cheese creating silky, decadent accompaniment with gentle tanginess.
• Honey: Introduces natural floral sweetness and smooth consistency to mascarpone cream.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, aromatic essence complementing apple's natural flavors.
• Caramel Sauce: Creates indulgent finish with deep, burnished sweetness and glossy appearance.

What to Have on Hand for Ina Garten’s Baked Apples

• Ceramic Baking Dish: 9 × 12-inch rectangular dish for perfectly baking and presenting the apples.
• Apple Corer or Melon-Baller: Essential for creating precise cavities in the apples.
• Paring Knife: Needed for removing apple peel and checking apple tenderness.
• Small Bowl: Used for mixing the mascarpone cream.
• Measuring Spoons: Crucial for accurate sugar, raisin, and liquid measurements.
• Butter Knife: Helpful for cutting butter into small pieces.

How to Bake Apples

Tuscan Baked Apples

• Apple Preparation

Select ripe, firm apples with smooth skin. Carefully remove a thin strip around the apple’s top and create gentle cuts to help it expand during baking. Scoop out the core without piercing the bottom, creating a delicate cavity for delicious fillings.

• Flavor Infusion

Nestle the apples in a ceramic baking dish. Sprinkle sweet raisins inside each apple’s center. Add small butter chunks on top to create a rich, golden crust. Drizzle fragrant Vin Santo wine generously over and around the apples, allowing the liquid to pool in the dish.

• Oven Magic

Slide the baking dish into a preheated oven. Let the apples transform as they bake, becoming tender and caramelized. Watch for a soft texture that signals they’re perfectly cooked – about 35-40 minutes.

• Creamy Companion

While apples bake, whip together smooth mascarpone with a touch of honey and vanilla. This luxurious cream will complement the wine-soaked fruit beautifully.

• Elegant Serving

Gently split each apple and arrange on serving plates. Drizzle with warm caramel and crown with a generous spoonful of mascarpone cream. Enjoy the delightful blend of sweet, rich flavors.

Flavor Variations for Ina Garten’s Tuscan Dessert

• Choose firm, ripe baking apples like Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Golden Delicious that hold their shape during cooking and provide a balanced sweet-tart flavor.
• Replace Vin Santo with sweet dessert wines like Moscato, Pedro Ximénez, or even apple cider for different flavor profiles that complement the fruit's natural sweetness.
• Experiment with mix-ins like chopped nuts, dried cranberries, chopped dark chocolate, or warming spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg to personalize the apple stuffing.
• Substitute mascarpone cream with coconut cream, almond yogurt, or whipped plant-based cream to accommodate dietary preferences while maintaining a luxurious texture.

Serve Ina Garten’s Baked Apples with Finesse

• Pair with Creamy Vanilla Ice Cream: Scoop a generous ball of cold, smooth vanilla ice cream next to the warm baked apple for a delightful temperature contrast that melts in your mouth.
• Garnish with Toasted Nuts: Sprinkle crushed toasted almonds or chopped walnuts over the mascarpone cream to add a delightful crunch and nutty depth to the dessert.
• Drizzle with Extra Caramel: Add an additional swirl of warm caramel sauce around the plate, creating a luxurious presentation that enhances the apple's sweet, rich flavors.
• Serve with Sweet Wine Pairing: Pour a small glass of Vin Santo or a similar dessert wine alongside the baked apples to complement the dish's sweet and complex taste profile.

Store & Reheat Tips for Ina Garten’s Apple Treat

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover baked apples in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The mascarpone cream should be kept separately to maintain its smooth texture and prevent sogginess.
• Reheat Gently: Warm the apples in the oven at 160°C / 325°F for 10-15 minutes to restore their original warm, soft texture. Avoid microwaving, which can make the apples mushy and lose their delicate structure.
• Freeze with Caution: You can freeze the baked apples without the mascarpone cream for up to 1 month. Wrap each apple individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container to prevent freezer burn.
• Prep Ahead Strategy: Prepare the apples and mascarpone cream up to 24 hours in advance. Keep the prepared apples covered in the refrigerator and the cream in a sealed container. Add the final touches just before serving to ensure maximum freshness and flavor.

Rustic Ina Garten Tuscan Baked Apples Recipe

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4.5 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s Tuscan baked apples recipe delivers a sophisticated dessert from Italian countryside inspiration. Crisp apples filled with sweet almonds and rich mascarpone cheese create an elegant finale for memorable dinner gatherings.

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Ingredients

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• 6 large, firm tart-sweet apples (Macoun or Empire)
• 8 tbsps (120 mL) plus 1½ cups (360 mL) Vin Santo wine
• 3 tbsps (45 mL) unsalted butter (plus extra to grease pan)
• ½ cup (120 mL) mascarpone
• 3 tbsps (45 mL) turbinado sugar (such as Sugar in the Raw)
• 6 tsp raisins
• 6 tsp golden raisins
• 1 tsp (5 mL) liquid honey
• ½ tsp (2.5 mL) pure vanilla extract
• Caramel sauce (such as Fran’s), warmed

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Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare: Heat oven to 190°C / 375°F and butter a 9 × 12-inch ceramic baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking.
2. Apple Transformation: Peel a strip around the stem and create five vertical incisions. Use an apple corer to extract a cavity three-quarters down the center, creating space for filling.
3. Filling and Seasoning: Arrange apples in the dish without touching. Generously fill each cavity with sugar, raisins, and golden raisins. Top each apple with a butter segment.
4. Liquid Infusion: Pour Vin Santo into apple cavities and the pan’s base. Distribute remaining sugar evenly over the apples to encourage caramelization during baking.
5. Baking Process: Bake for 30-45 minutes, monitoring tenderness with a paring knife. Replenish liquid with Vin Santo or water if it begins to evaporate to maintain moisture.
6. Mascarpone Cream Preparation: While apples bake, whisk mascarpone cheese, Vin Santo, honey, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
7. Serving Presentation: Remove apples from oven, slice carefully. Plate with pan juices, drizzle warmed caramel sauce, and crown with a dollop of mascarpone cream.

Notes

• Preserve Apple Structure: Carefully peel a strip around the stem and make vertical incisions to maintain apple integrity during baking.
• Create Perfect Cavity: Use an apple corer or melon-baller to hollow out the core precisely, leaving enough base to hold filling without breaking.
• Monitor Liquid Levels: Check baking pan periodically and add extra Vin Santo or water to prevent burning and maintain moisture for tender apples.
• Serve Temperature Matters: Serve apples warm with pan juices and mascarpone cream to maximize flavor and texture experience.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 230
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 15 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg