If you’re looking for a cozy and charming dessert that really wows without fussing too much, this Bloomin’ Apples with Caramel and Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe is honestly one of my go-tos. I love how it takes regular apples and transforms them into these soft, gooey delights bursting with warm caramel, with cold vanilla ice cream melting over the top for that perfect sweet-and-creamy finish. It’s absolute comfort food that’s easy enough for a weeknight treat but special enough for weekends or holiday gatherings.
When I first tried this recipe, I was amazed how few ingredients it needed yet how impressive and satisfying the result was. You don’t have to be a pro baker either—whether you’re using the oven or an air fryer, the Bloomin’ Apples with Caramel and Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe is super forgiving and quick. Plus, it’s fun to make, and watching the apple “bloom” open with those melty caramel squares inside makes dessert time feel like a little celebration.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: Makes for an easy pantry-friendly dessert with ingredients you likely already have on hand.
- Comforting Flavors: The combo of cinnamon, caramel, and vanilla ice cream is a match made in dessert heaven.
- Versatile Cooking Methods: You can bake in the oven or use an air fryer for a quicker cook with minimal cleanup.
- Crowd-Pleaser: I’ve served this at family dinners and everyone goes crazy for these warm, melty apples!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe shines because it combines familiar ingredients in a way that brings out the best in each. Fresh apples with a hint of cinnamon get cozy with buttery caramel squares, and the vanilla ice cream is just the cherry on top—or well, the cream on the apple!
- Cooking spray: Helps prevent sticking and keeps cleanup easy.
- Melted butter: Brings richness and helps the sugars caramelize for a beautiful glaze.
- Brown sugar: Adds moisture and a deep caramel flavor thanks to its molasses content.
- Granulated sugar: Balances the brown sugar with a little sweet crunch when baked.
- Ground cinnamon: Brings warmth and classic apple pie vibes.
- Apples: Choose firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp so they hold shape but soften nicely.
- Chewy caramel squares: Melt into the apple’s center for gooey goodness—soft caramels work best.
- Breyers Natural Vanilla ice cream: The creamy cool contrast is what really elevates this dessert—feel free to use your favorite vanilla ice cream.
- Caramel for drizzling: Optional but highly recommended for an extra touch of indulgence.
Variations
I love making recipes my own, and this Bloomin’ Apples with Caramel and Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe is so flexible for that. Sometimes I mix up the types of apples or add other spices to switch things up. Feel free to make it your own!
- Spice it up: Adding a pinch of nutmeg or allspice gives a lovely fall-inspired twist I discovered when making this during the holidays.
- Different fillings: Swap caramel squares for chocolate chunks or even cream cheese for a less sweet but creamy surprise.
- Diet-friendly option: Use coconut oil instead of butter and a sugar substitute if you’re cutting down on sugar.
- Seasonal fruit swap: Try the “blooming” technique with pears or peaches when apples are out of season—it works beautifully.
How to Make Bloomin’ Apples with Caramel and Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Apples Like a Pro
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (or 350°F if you’re using an air fryer). Grease a baking dish or line your air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Then slice the top off each apple and use a corer to remove the core—if bits remain, a small spoon helps clean them out. Here’s a little trick I learned: make two circular cuts around each apple (think “necklace” rings), then gently slice crosswise while keeping the bottom intact, so the apple blooms open but stays in one piece. It’s like magic to watch!
Step 2: Stuff and Glaze
Once your apples are ready, fill each center with two chewy caramel squares—that soft caramel melts into pockets inside the apple as it bakes. Next, whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon, then brush this delicious mixture generously over the apple tops. This glaze not only adds flavor but also helps the sugars caramelize beautifully in the oven or air fryer.
Step 3: Bake or Air Fry to Perfection
Place your apples cut side down in the baking dish or air fryer basket, then bake at 375°F for about 30 minutes in the oven, or air fry at 350°F for 20 minutes. You want the apples tender but still holding their shape—a perfect balance of soft and structured. I usually check with a fork around the 25-minute mark so they don’t get too mushy, but every apple variety can behave a little differently.
Step 4: Serve Warm with a Scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream
This is the part that turns good into unforgettable. Serve each warm bloomed apple with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream and drizzle caramel sauce over it all. The contrast of hot apple and cold ice cream is so dreamy. Trust me, you’ll find that it’s impossible to resist sneaking bites during prep!
Pro Tips for Making Bloomin’ Apples with Caramel and Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe
- Choose the Right Apples: I like firmer varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp—they hold their shape best but still get tender.
- Avoid Over-slicing: When making those circular cuts, don’t cut all the way through—the apple needs to hold together as it bakes.
- Brush on the Butter Mixture Generously: This ensures a rich glaze and adds that irresistible caramelized sugar flavor on the surface.
- Don’t Skip the Ice Cream: The hot and cold combo is what makes this dessert shine, so always serve fresh out of the oven with a scoop!
How to Serve Bloomin’ Apples with Caramel and Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe
Garnishes
I’m a big fan of crunchy textures with soft desserts, so I often sprinkle chopped toasted pecans or walnuts on top of the ice cream. A light dusting of cinnamon or even a few fresh mint leaves adds a nice fresh contrast as well. These little touches make it feel extra special, especially when you have guests over.
Side Dishes
Since this is a dessert on its own, I like to serve it after a simple, cozy meal like roasted chicken or a warm stew. It’s a great way to end a meal with something sweet but not heavy. If you want to keep it light, a cup of hot herbal tea pairs beautifully with the dessert’s warmth and spice.
Creative Ways to Present
For a festive touch, I’ve arranged these bloomed apples on individual dessert plates with a drizzle of caramel in a pretty swirl and fresh apple slices around the edge. For kids’ parties, topping with rainbow sprinkles or mini chocolate chips turns them into a fun treat. I also like using mini ramekins for single servings if I want to make bite-sized versions of this recipe.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftovers (which rarely happens in my house!), you can store the bloomin’ apples uncovered in the fridge for up to 2 days. Just keep them separate from the ice cream to avoid sogginess. Before serving again, gently warm the apples—more on that next!
Freezing
Freezing is a bit tricky because of the ice cream and caramel, but you can freeze the cooked apples themselves in an airtight container for up to a month. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge and warm gently. I don’t recommend freezing once assembled with ice cream as the texture changes.
Reheating
To reheat, pop the apples in a 350°F oven for about 10-15 minutes or microwave them for 30-60 seconds until warm. Just be careful not to overheat or they may become too mushy. Always add the vanilla ice cream fresh after reheating for the best experience.
FAQs
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Can I use any type of apples for this recipe?
While you can technically use any apple, firm varieties like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji work best because they hold their shape well during baking and soften to a perfect tenderness without becoming mushy.
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Is it possible to make Bloomin’ Apples with Caramel and Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe vegan?
Absolutely! Use dairy-free butter or coconut oil, vegan caramel squares, and plant-based vanilla ice cream to make this dessert fully vegan while keeping those comforting flavors intact.
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Can I prepare the apples ahead of time?
You can prep the apples by coring and slicing them a few hours ahead, then cover and refrigerate. Just add the caramel and butter mixture right before baking or air frying to ensure the best texture and flavor.
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What’s the best way to melt caramel squares evenly inside the apples?
Tucking two chewy caramel squares into the apple core and baking them allows the caramel to soften and spread evenly inside. Make sure to place the apples cut side down so the caramel melts inward and stays in place.
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Can I make this dessert without an oven?
Yes! Using an air fryer is a fantastic alternative that cooks the apples quickly and gives a lovely caramelized finish. Just follow the air fryer instructions at 350°F for about 20 minutes.
Final Thoughts
This Bloomin’ Apples with Caramel and Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe genuinely feels like a warm hug in dessert form — comforting, sweet, and surprisingly easy to pull off. It’s one of those recipes I keep coming back to when I want something that’s a little bit special without taking hours. I can’t recommend trying this enough, whether you’re treating yourself after a long day or impressing friends at dinner. Give it a go and let me know how your kitchen bloomed with this deliciousness!
Print
Bloomin’ Apples with Caramel and Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Total Time: 45 mins
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Bloomin’ Apples is a delightful, warm dessert featuring apples filled with chewy caramel squares, brushed with a cinnamon-butter glaze, and baked until tender. Served with vanilla ice cream and drizzled caramel sauce, this easy-to-make treat combines soft baked fruit with sweet, melty caramel for a perfect balance of textures and flavors.
Ingredients
For the Apples
- 4 apples
- 8 chewy caramel squares
- 4 Tbsp. melted butter
- 1 Tbsp. packed brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp. granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
For Serving
- Breyers Natural Vanilla ice cream, for serving
- Caramel sauce, for drizzling
- Cooking spray, for greasing the baking dish
Instructions
- Prepare for Baking: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a medium baking dish with cooking spray. In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and ground cinnamon until well combined.
- Prepare the Apples: Slice the tops off each apple, then use a corer to remove the core completely. If needed, use a small spoon to remove any leftover core pieces. Using a paring knife, make two circular cuts around each apple to create slices while keeping the apple intact at the bottom. Place the apple cut side down on a cutting board and carefully slice crosswise to create a bloom effect, being cautious not to cut all the way through the core so the apple holds together.
- Fill and Glaze Apples: Place the prepared apples upright in the baking dish. Stuff each apple with two chewy caramel squares into the core cavity. Brush the tops and edges of the apples generously with the cinnamon butter mixture prepared earlier to enhance flavor and browning.
- Bake the Apples: Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 30 minutes or until the apples are tender and the caramel has melted inside. For an air fryer method, place the filled apples in the air fryer basket and cook at 350°F (175°C) for about 20 minutes.
- Serve: Once baked, serve the apples warm. Place a scoop of Breyers Natural Vanilla ice cream alongside and drizzle with additional caramel sauce for an indulgent finish.
Notes
- Choose firm, baking apples such as Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for best results.
- For easier slicing and handling, chill the apples before cutting.
- If you don’t have a corer, you can carefully use a small knife or melon baller to remove the core.
- The caramel squares melt inside the apple, creating a gooey center; ensure apples are sliced without cutting through the base to hold the filling.
- Adjust baking times slightly depending on apple size and ripeness to avoid undercooking or over-softening.
- This recipe can be made using either oven baking or an air fryer depending on your kitchen tools.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 apple with ice cream and caramel drizzle
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
