In the world of baking, choosing the right apple can make all the difference between a mediocre dessert and a spectacular one. And with literally thousands of apple varieties in the world, it can be overwhelming to pick which are the best apples for baking. So after testing dozens and dozens of apple varieties and recipes, I've created this comprehensive guide.
Whether you're craving a classic apple pie, a decadent crisp, or a moist apple cake, understanding the characteristics of different apple varieties will help you make the perfect dessert every time!
Growing up in Germany, we lived near a forest that had a lot of apple trees. We'd often go into the forest searching for hedgehogs, since they like to eat the fallen apples. It's kind of a random parallel, but that's why apples remind me of childhood in Germany. 🙂
Types of Apples
There are over 7,500 varieties of apples throughout the world! And each variety offers its own unique flavor and characteristics.
The type you choose will depend on the rest of the flavors in your recipe. For example, I personally love tart apples with sweet caramel dip. But I prefer sweet apples for apple pie.
Tart Apples
On the tart side, varieties like Granny Smith, Braeburn, Jonathan, and Pink Lady are widely known for their sharp (sometimes sour) flavor profiles.
Sweet Apples
Some popular sweet apple varieties include Honeycrisp, Gala, Fuji, and Golden Delicious.
The Best Apples to Bake With
When it comes to baking, you want to pick apple varieties that taste yummy but also hold their shape as they bake. You don't want to pick a variety that breaks down quickly in the oven, which will result in a mushy mess.
Some of the best apple varieties for baking include:
- Granny Smith: The tried and true baking apple! This is probably one of the most tart varieties you'll find in the store or farmer's market.
If your recipe is already sweet, Granny Smith apples provide a delicious burst of tart contrast, like in caramel apples. - Honeycrisp: These are my favorite! They taste great fresh and baked. With its sweet flavor and crisp flesh, Honeycrisp apples add a delightful sweetness and juiciness.
- Braeburn: Braeburn apples offer a nice sweet-tart flavor combo. And their firm texture make them ideal for pies, crumbles, and baked apple dishes, since they won't become mushy.
- Jonagold: This variety is a cross between Jonathan and Golden Delicious, and they have a nice sweet-tart flavor combination.
- Fuji: Fuji apples are my second-favorite, after Honeycrisp. They're known for their sweet flavor, as well as their crisp texture.
Other apple varieties that work well in most baked recipes include Pink Lady & Gala. These varieties are softer so they don't hold their shape quite as well as the others in this list. I usually use them for bakes that have a softer texture like muffins, crisps, and cakes.
These tasty apple varieties are versatile and widely available, which I think makes them excellent choices for any of your baked apple treats! 🙂
Worst Apples for Baking
While delicious when eaten fresh, you want to avoid soft or extremely juicy apple varieties that can become mushy or lose their shape when baked.
Some apple varieties that aren't great for baking include:
- Red Delicious: Red Delicious apples are one of my favorites for eating fresh, however they tend to become mushy when baked.
- Golden Delicious: These apples can become overly soft and lose their shape when cooked. Which can be great for recipes like homemade applesauce, but no so great for baked treats.
- McIntosh: McIntosh apples have a tender texture and could break down when baked, resulting in a soft, less structured final dessert.
- Cortland: Cortland apples are super juicy and can release too much moisture when baked. This could create a sad, soggy texture in your baked dish.
While these apples may not be the best choice for baking on their own, they can still be used when you mix them with other firmer varieties.
Or use them in recipes where a softer texture is desired like apple butter or apple sauce.
How to Store Apples
Apples can either be stored at room temperature or in the fridge, depending on how soon you plan to use them.
How long do apples last in the fridge?
Apples can be stored in the refrigerator for several months. When we go apple picking in September or October, we store apples in the fridge for 6 months, all the way to March.
I recommend placing them in the crisper drawer or in a perforated plastic bag to maintain humidity and prevent them from absorbing odors from other foods.
How long do apples last unrefrigerated?
Apples can be stored at room temperature for about 1 week. Store them away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
And since apples emit ethylene gas which causes other produce to ripen, keep them away from any fruits and vegetables you don't want to ripen too quickly like bananas, avocadoes, and tomatoes.
Delicious Baked Apple Recipes
1. Apfelmuskuchen - German Applesauce Cake
This German applesauce cake is incredibly moist and light. The layer of applesauce in the middle adds a warm spiced flavor and a creamy texture. And I've tested and tweaked this recipe multiple times to make sure you bake a foolproof Apfelmuskuchen every time!
2. Apfelstrudel - German Apple Strudel
This authentic German apple strudel is based on my great-grandma's recipe. There are alternating layers of apple and pastry, instead of heaping all the filling into one pile. And while homemade strudel dough may seem intimidating, I have included tons of helpful tips for a foolproof & impressive dessert!
3. Bratapfel - German Baked Apples
There's nothing more comforting and delicious than baked apples stuffed with raisins, almonds, honey, and warm spices. These German baked apples are called Bratapfel. They're so tasty any time of year, but especially in Fall.
4. German Apple Pie from Scratch
In this delicious German apple pie, fresh apples are cooked on the stove with brown sugar and cinnamon until they're soft and juicy. Then they're baked in a buttery pie crust for the perfect flaky texture.
5. Zwiebelkuchen - German Onion & Apple Pie
Caramelized onions and tart apple slices create the most creamy, sweet and savory filling in this delicious German onion pie known as Zwiebelkuchen. And I've perfected my simple pie crust recipe, so you can create the most buttery, flaky pie ever!
6. Mini Apple Strudel
These mini apple strudel are made with phyllo dough for super thin, flaky layers. Thinly sliced apples along with raisins and chopped nuts make these easy pastries taste as close as possible to my great-Grandma's delicious and authentic German Apfelstrudel.
7. Apfeltaschen - German Apple Hand Pies
These apple hand pies made with store bought puff pastry (called Apfeltaschen) are so easy and simple! And the whole recipe comes together in under an hour with less than 10 ingredients! They're like hand-held mini apple pies that you can eat on the go!
8. Apple Streusel Bread
This cinnamon apple streusel bread is the perfect combination of spiced apples, moist bread, and crunchy streusel. It comes together in just 30 minutes, since the apples don't need to be peeled or cooked.
9. Apple Frangipane Tart
This delicious apple frangipane tart is one of the BEST tarts you'll ever eat! The homemade crust takes 5 minutes to prepare & it doesn't need to be chilled. The frangipane filling is so creamy & full of nutty almond flavor, which tastes great with the baked apple slices.
10. Crispy Baked Apple Chips
Crispy baked apple chips are a healthy snack that are super easy to make! All that's required are apples and optional spices. Cinnamon enhances the natural sweetness of apples, while creating an amazing smell throughout your home.
11. Vegan Apple Crisp
This vegan apple crisp recipe is an ode to Autumn. It's packed with sweet, juicy baked apples. And the crunchy topping is made from oats, brown sugar and spices. Finally, homemade caramel sauce adds a whole new layer of cozy decadence. This tastes great for breakfast, or top it with vanilla ice cream for dessert!
12. Apple and Hazelnut Baked Oatmeal
This delicious apple and hazelnut baked oatmeal brings two delicious ingredients that are in season this late in the Winter to center stage. The crunchy hazelnuts and soft baked apples turn humble oats into a nourishing and delectable breakfast.
Lindsey
THANK YOU for putting this apple guide together! I am always confused about which apples will bake up best, or how to combine different types of apples in baked goods! Love all of your apple recipes, too, can't wait to try them!
Carissa Erzen
There's SO MANY varieties out there, it's helpful to know which are best for different types of recipes and why. Happy baking!