Baked Apples in Cinnamon and Star Anise Syrup
It’s been a while since I last shared a dessert recipe—and a French one at that! I’m feeling particularly nostalgic today, so let’s dive into a little culinary story from my early blogging days.
When I first started out, I posted a simple recipe for baked apples. And honestly, I still make it now and then because it’s so ridiculously easy and packed with flavour.
The baked apple was actually a dessert I was introduced to by my mother-in-law, who lives in the beautiful region of Normandy, in the North-West of France. Now, Normandy isn’t just known for its stunning landscapes and quaint villages—it’s also a haven for dairy products (think creamy butter, rich cheeses, and indulgent cream!) and, of course, Calvados—the iconic apple brandy. It’s no surprise that this region is known for everything apple-related!
When I first tried baked apples, I had no idea how much they would leave a lasting impression. What seemed like a humble dessert turned out to be a perfect reflection of the high-quality produce found in the Normandy region. It was my first real introduction to the concept of ‘terroir’. In French, ‘terroir’ refers to the unique characteristics of a region, including its climate, soil, and physical features. It’s what makes produce from one area so distinctive. The terroir of Normandy gives its apples and dairy products their unmatched quality—and now I totally get why!
Of course, I can’t always get apples from Normandy (though that would be amazing!). I tend to use Royal Gala, Cox, or Braeburn—all great options that still give you that sweet, juicy crunch. But today, I’ve added a little twist by making a cinnamon and star anise infused syrup to drizzle over the baked apples. It’s aromatic, spiced, and absolutely dreamy.
And let’s be honest, the only thing that could make this dessert even better? A generous scoop of vanilla ice cream to go with it. That’s what I call a match made in dessert heaven.
So, whether you’re reminiscing about the flavours of Normandy or just in the mood for a cosy, comforting dessert, this baked apple recipe is definitely one to try!
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4-6 persons
Ingredients:
1kg cooking apples
100g sugar
1 cinnamon stick
1 star anise
1 tsp lime zest
1 lime juice
Method:
1. Pre-heat the oven at 180ºC. Meanwhile, remove the core of each apple, rinse and dry. Transfer to a baking dish and bake for 30 minutes or until the flesh is soft.
2. To make the syrup, add the sugar, cinnamon stick, star anise, lime zest, lime juice and 300ml of water into a saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook for about 15 minutes or until the syrup starts to thicken. Remove from heat and set aside.
3. About 15 minutes into baking the apples, remove the baking dish from the oven and pour over half of the syrup. Return into the oven and bake until the end of the cooking time. Serve at room temperature and serve with extra syrup if liked.
