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Baking with Apples

What makes a great baking apple? The best have a good sweet-tart balance and their flesh won't break down as they cook.

Related Recipe Collection

Apple Dessert Recipes

Video: Making Apple Pie

More About Apples

More Baking-Apple Collections

The Fuji

The Fuji was developed in Japan by crossing Red Delicious apples and Ralls Janet, an antique apple cultivated by Thomas Jefferson in 1793. Though not the best choice for baking, Fuji apples' spicy, crisp sweetness makes them excellent for out-of-hand eating or for applesauce. The color varies from yellow-green with red highlights to solid red.

Golden Apples: Quince

This ancient fruit, related to apples and pears, has been considered sacred and a symbol of fertility. In Greek mythology, Aphrodite received a quince--a golden apple--from Paris. Some scholars believe it was a quince, not an apple, that tempted Eve in the Garden.

If you can find them, quince make perfect partners to apples in desserts: they are deliciously fragrant and turn a deep pink when cooked. Quince are extremely firm in texture and cannot be eaten raw. Try half quince, half apple in your next apple crisp or pie.

For a dessert that's complex in flavor and pleasing in texture, mix tart apples with firm baking apples.

Look for regional and heirloom varieties at farmers' markets and specialty grocers. And when in doubt, ask the grower which apples are best for baking.

Commonly available apples:

Cortland

Cortlands are juicy and slightly tart, with bright red skin and snowy white flesh. They are a terrific baking apple: use in pies, cobblers, and crisps. When sliced, Cortlands are a welcome addition to fruit and cheese plates, as the flesh doesn't brown and discolor quickly.

Empire

Empires are a cross between McIntosh and Red Delicious apples. Firm-textured and slightly tart, the Empire is a fine all-purpose apple good for sauce, pies, baking, salads, fresh eating, and freezing.

Mutsu (Crispin)

This large, yellow-green fruit is very juicy and super crisp. It has a sweet, refreshing flavor and is great for fresh eating, salads, freezing, sauce, and baking.

Gala

A crisp, sweet apple with a mild flavor, Galas have yellow-orange skin with red striping. They're best for salads, eating out-of-hand, and applesauce.

Golden Delicious

The Golden Delicious is sweet, with a rich, mellow flavor. It is one of the best all-around cooking apples, as it maintains its shape after baking.

Granny Smith

One of the most popular tart apples, Granny Smiths are crisp and quite sour. They're a good all-purpose cooking apple, and their flavor is enhanced when paired with sweeter, spicier apples in pies and crisps.

Honeycrisp

Developed in Minnesota and introduced fairly recently, Honeycrisps are fantastic eating apples. As the name indicates, they are crisp and juicy, with a honey-sweet and tart flavor. Honeycrisps are also good for baking and sauce.

Ida Red

A very old variety, Ida Reds have a tangy flavor and a flesh that is sometimes tinted a rosy pink. It makes beautiful applesauce: cook the apples with the skins on and strain the sauce to get the best pink color. Ida Reds keep their shape during baking and are also excellent in salads and for freezing.

Jonathan

Jonathans are quite tart, with a rich, slightly spicy apple flavor. They hold their shape well when baked. They are also good in salads and for applesauce.

Macoun

Sweet and aromatic, Macouns are excellent for snacking, in salads and for sauce. With bright red skin and juicy white flesh, they make an attractive apple on a cheese plate.

Jonagold

A blend of Jonathan and Golden Delicious apples, Jonagolds have a tangy-sweet flavor. With a yellow-green base and a blush stripe, is excellent both for eating fresh and for cooking.

Mom's Applesauce Pancakes

Lady

Tiny, doll-like lady apples are sweet-flavored and are a beautiful decorative apple.

Wassail

McIntosh

A classic bright red apple with green undertones, juicy, crisp McIntoshes tend to break down when cooked. They are delicious eaten out of hand or in sauce, and are best paired with Golden Delicious or other apples in pies and other baked goods.

Holiday Cranberry Applesauce

Red Delicious

Bred to be an eating apple, Red Delicious are unsuitable for baking. They are mild-flavored, sweet and juicy, with a deep ruby skin and a classic heart shape.

Apple Ladybug Treats

Winesap

The Winesap is very firm and aromatic, with a spicy bite. A sweet-flavored apple, Winesaps are good in sauces and for baking.

More Apple Dessert Recipes

Comments

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bon vivant

Sep. 16, 2009 6:39 am

good info. thanks!

Staci01rn

Sep. 17, 2009 10:08 pm

How do I prevent browning of cut apples?

KathleenO

Sep. 18, 2009 12:04 pm

I realize that this is not an exhaustive listing of apple types, but is there a reason Roman Beauty apples are not included in the list? I have strong memories of this type of apples when I was younger. There are orchards on the western slope of Colorado that my parents would travel to and purchase apples every fall and the Roman Beauty apples were so sweet/tart crisp.

Lisa

Sep. 23, 2009 11:13 am

My grandmother (who would be over 100 years old if still alive)swore by winesaps for baking and applesauce. They are not always easy to find, but worth the hunt in my book. She was one of the best cooks I have known (along with my mother of course).

Dawn

Sep. 25, 2009 6:34 am

This was great information, thanks for braking it all down.

kitten

Oct. 3, 2009 12:01 pm

Great info! Will keep with my recipes. Thanks!

Fifi

Oct. 4, 2009 1:12 am

Pink Lady, Jazz and Pippins are all very good eating apples. Winesaps are also called Stayman in some areas and are crisp sweet/tart. Rome apples are great for baking.CandyApples are also great all purpose apples which do not oxidize (turn brown). To stop apples from turning brown sprinkle with lemon juice or purchased Fruit Fresh powder.

Mommacat

Oct. 6, 2009 9:43 am

great information, living in FL for decaded, I sometimes forget what to get for baking...grew up with a cortland apple tree in the back yard and started baking pies at age 12..now 65! Sorry for long windy comment, sometimes hard to find cortlands

mrsbartell2010

Oct. 7, 2009 7:26 am

@ Staci01rn - soak them in a mixture of lemon juice and water. I usually go with 3 parts water to 1 part lemon juice. This will prevent the flesh from browning!

c.farley

Oct. 7, 2009 1:57 pm

Just got back from a run to Michigan to help parents get ready for winter and to pick up "Spy" apples for my apple pies. This is a very old apple and hard to find but is crisp and sweet/tart. It is the only apple my gmother would use, I like to mix it with Johngold and one other type of apple for a perfect pie.

dinnercoach

Oct. 9, 2009 1:11 pm

I love honeycrisps! Coblers and pies can be made in bulk and then frozen. Bake from frozen covered loosely by foil until done. Usually twice the baking time for frozen desserts.

Sylvia

Oct. 9, 2009 9:57 pm

I need to slice up some apples and pears for a fruit plate but how do I keep them from turning brown.

betty o

Oct. 11, 2009 4:43 pm

Thank you for explaining how to use the different variety of apples. I often look in different magazines and recipe books on how to use apples for recipes and are not able to use them to make more delicious desserts. Thank you!!!

HomeEcTeacher

Oct. 11, 2009 8:31 pm

My home economics students loved honeycrisps when we did a taste test comparison lab last fall.

kaylaUSAF

Oct. 16, 2009 11:28 am

which apples work best with a rice flour based crust? gluten free foods tend to suck up moisture and have a bland flavor can u help me?

justme

Oct. 17, 2009 11:41 am

Exactly what I was looking for - good information on each of the different kinds of apples.

Mimme

Oct. 28, 2009 4:29 pm

What is the best apple to make just plain apple dumplings? I core and peel my apple and then put into a dough and fold the corners. The last apples that I used was Cortland and it did not hold its shape.

tiger

Oct. 29, 2009 4:56 am

The gal that asked how to keep apples from turning brown when sliced, should soak them in 7up or sprite for a few minutes. Works perfect and keeps them crisp as well.

ANARA

Oct. 29, 2009 2:04 pm

I find that Northern Spy apples making fantastic apple dumplings, which is an apple I don't see listed here. It might be only a regional apple to the east coast or northern east coast. I'm in Michigan and it's a very popular baking apple here.

KristinLOVEStoCook

Nov. 2, 2009 11:40 am

For the person regarding the Northern Spy apples- I too live in Michigan and was surprised to not see the description on here. BUT, I did find it on wikipedia.com...just copy and paste this link into your browser for more info on one of my favorite baking apples!!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Spy

KristinLOVEStoCook

Nov. 2, 2009 11:42 am

And what about the Ginger Gold apples from Michigan? Wondering if they are suitable for baking and cooking...

Joyfulness

Nov. 15, 2009 7:28 am

Can anyone tell me why the apples in some of my apple pies I bake remain semi-hard AFTER baking the recommended time? This doesn't happen everytime, but does happen on occasion. The last pie I made I used Ida reds from a local orchard in Michigan. I baked the pie the recommended time and temperatures (15 mintes at 425, 30 minutes at 350) and the apples remained somewhat hard. I returned the pie to the oven and baked it an additional 30 minutes, almost double the recommended time, and the apples were still somewhat hard and semi-crunchy. Three weeks earlier, I made an apple pie with the same apples, same recipe and that pie was perfect with soft apples after baking only the recommended baking time -- no additional baking time. Another thing I noticed is that the second apple pie -- the one that had the hard apples after baking -- also had a great deal of runny liquid when I cut the pie open. Can anyone help solve this mystery?

kayday

Nov. 27, 2009 5:23 pm

I have baked a Dutch Apple Pie for years but struggle with what apples to use. Want one that is tart, holds its shape and isn't "runny". Have used Rome,, Jonathans and more recently, Granny Smith. The Granny Smith are wonderfully tart and are not runny but they don't stay firm after baking. Any suggestions, please?

Judith

Dec. 17, 2009 8:44 pm

I wanted to make sausage, apple and raisin stuffing and I don't know what kind of apple is best. Any suggestions would help. I wanted to add raisins and apples to stuffing to make a nice light mildly sweet stuffing.

Jazzypup

Jan. 4, 2010 4:13 pm

I make an old family recipe for fruit mincemeat - very secret recipe! British Columbia, Canada is a major apple growing Province, but I have not been able to find Gravenstein apples here this year. Is there an equivilent apple to that one? Thanks for any suggestions!

Linda

Mar. 19, 2010 9:42 am

What about spartans? I'm making apple crisp, are they a good pick?(pun intended)

BARDNARD

Apr. 10, 2010 8:26 am

THANKYOU FOR THE WONDERFUL BREAKDOWN OF APPLES. AM STARTING TO BAKE AGAIN AFTER 20 OR SO YEARS. WANT TO MAKE MY OWN PIE CRUST, TOO. APPLE PIE IS MY FAVORITE, EASY ONE TO MAKE. HAVE BEEN BUYING READY MADE ROLL UP PIE CRUST. (VERY CONVENIENT-BUT NOT LIKE HOME MADE) WILL LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU PEOPLE. THANKS FOR ALL THE WONDERFUL INFO. BARB - (I LIVE IN PA.)\

Eyecandy88

Jun. 10, 2010 8:26 pm

This was awesome never knew all of this! Lets me know which apple to bake my apple pies with :)

Schonvacker

Jul. 20, 2010 11:23 am

this was marvellous. i dun know we hav to find a right apples before. thank you.

ChezMauraKate

Jul. 22, 2010 3:45 pm

Thanks for all the helpful information! Into the recipe box it goes! Advice on baking apples: to avoid skin the texture of vinyl upholstery, PEEL THE APPLES BEFORE BAKING THEM. Also, if you sautee them in butter with a bit of brown sugar before baking and BAKE THEM IN THE SAUCEPAN, they will be divine. If you're making a filling, use a melon baller to make large cavities. My favorite filling is oats, walnuts, dried cranberries, brown sugar, butter, and finely chopped apples.

melly2912

Sep. 7, 2010 12:30 am

i love spy apples in my apple pie. They come out in south western Ontario, Canada end of September. Perfect time for baking a pie! Alot of people use granny smiths, l asked my gramma and she always uses a mix. Everyone has a little bit of different recipe :}

Katie

Sep. 20, 2010 5:35 pm

To Joyfullness: About the problems ur having with your pies cooking oddly....it could be your oven not heating up to the right temperature on different occasions. It could be ready to go out and just not heating up/cooking your food properly.

Island Girl

Sep. 28, 2010 8:42 pm

SAVE The Article to Your Recipe Box. SOMETHING I LEARN THAT YOU CAN DO. GO READ ABOUT IT JUST BEFORE THE COMMENT SECTION. Thanks for the article. I saved it, and thought it was worth having for later and now it's in my recipe box.

imallie

Sep. 29, 2010 6:04 am

Just moved from Michigan a few months ago, and missing the apples! Reading the comments from all the Michigan cooks has made me so homesick. The 5 LB bag of North Carolina apples I bought yesterday are almost tasteless. I don't even know what to do with them.

Paul

Sep. 29, 2010 8:55 pm

I like to use Jonathan, Cortland, or Rome apples in my pies, but I generally can only find Granny Smith. But it was Granny Smiths in the ones that won the awards.

Shirley

Sep. 30, 2010 11:37 am

We here in Pa also have banana apples

BANDIT5

Oct. 1, 2010 8:19 am

My mom 85 years old, swears by wealthy

Heather

Oct. 3, 2010 9:23 am

I have always used Fuji for my pies and breads. They always turn out very flavorful.

DIANAE38

Oct. 6, 2010 1:45 pm

If making applesauce I just peel and cook a small batch of apples at one time & put in water til you are ready to cook. Also don't put salt in the water as that makes a bad taste to the applesauce. I have always used golden delicious apples for my sauce. (Only tree my neighbor had) Very good and I do like a chunky sauce.

gordy

Oct. 6, 2010 8:21 pm

Great information, thank you

rykemc

Oct. 10, 2010 7:58 am

I just found a new variety (to me anyway) called Arkansas Black. Very crisp and not so good to eat raw, but I made the apple peach sauce (slow cooker recipe). Turned out great! Has anyone ever heard of these?

Bonnie

Nov. 7, 2010 7:47 am

I could sit here all day and save a million recipes. Thanks so much, Bonnie

caryzoo

Nov. 17, 2010 8:27 am

I found a site that has a VERY extensive list of apple varieties...just looking at it gave me a headache...for those of you who check it out, enjoy!

http://www.allaboutapples.com/varieties/

Linda A.

Nov. 22, 2010 3:42 pm

I've eaten Granny Smiths, and the ones I've had weren't at all sour! They had a nice, what I personally consider perfect, balance of tartness and sweetness, in other words, the quintessential apple-y flavor. They're VERY good! Not only are they good for snacking, but, because of their low moisture content, they hold up very well in baking and cooking. They're the ideal all-around, all-purpose apple!

jmack16

Dec. 16, 2010 2:44 pm

This is great information to have about all types of apples. I enjoy making applie pie which I have been making over 10 years now. I'm trying to find dry apples which are good for making fried apples turnovers.If anyone find out that I can use a certain type of apple to make fried turnovers please let me no. Thanks

PBS

Jan. 12, 2011 6:46 pm

I don't see ROME Apples here... BEST for BAKED APPLES!

JWinslow

Jan. 30, 2011 12:50 pm

Great to know! Now I will add some yellow delicious to the granny smiths that I use in my apple pies! :)

Melissa

Feb. 15, 2011 7:59 pm

the best secret for keeping apples from browing is to pour pineapple juice over the apples - tastes better than using lemon and works just as good : )

Lindsay

Feb. 22, 2011 1:15 am

Interesting article about the different types but some recipe ideas besides the basic pies, sauces and crisps would have been nice!

joyce

Apr. 5, 2011 9:10 pm

if i prepare my applepie could i bake it late?

joanne

May 17, 2011 1:39 pm

has anyone ever used frozen apple slices for baking? and if so how well do they work?

TERRI D.

Aug. 5, 2011 6:56 am

I always use granny smith for my apple pies since I made Grandma Ople apple pie recipe from this site...before that I would only use Courtland, which I still use in my Apple Bread recipe when I can find them!! Why are they not available?

bad_abby

Aug. 12, 2011 7:34 pm

No list of apples is complete without Gravenstein Apples. They are the perfect apple for every occasion, and don't require sugar in baking because they are so delicious. Trader Joe's sells a Gravenstein Applesauce with no sugar, and its amazing.

mother goose

Sep. 20, 2011 5:08 pm

I recently moved to goose creek sc and i miss my favorite plac to get apples. Patterson fruit market in chesterland ohio. they make the best apple cider and i always brought small bags of what was called seconds which uasally were gala, jonagold,empires, and cortlands mixed them all together and made 1 heck of a pan of fresh apple sauce, boy i miss pattersons

Dawn

Oct. 5, 2011 7:05 pm

I make my apple pies with Cortlands, and they do hold their shape. Last apple pie I made was apple crumb pie. Delicious.

Grammy

Oct. 5, 2011 9:49 pm

I would like to know whatever happened to the Pippin apple. It was a bit more tart than the Granny Smiths, thereby making it perfect for cobblers and pies and out of hand eating. Does anyone know?

grillmaster

Oct. 6, 2011 3:58 am

thanks for the info!!Especially about what kind of apple to use on Grandma Oples apple pie.I've been dying to try it and want to get it right !!!!!

MaryJB

Oct. 6, 2011 2:45 pm

I am waiting for the Spy apples to come out. My Hubby's favorite for pie. THey told me it would be a week yet here before they are picked. I am from Michigan.

JILLY444

Oct. 9, 2011 5:27 pm

Has anyone used Melrose apples for applesauce?

Carol13

Oct. 10, 2011 8:42 am

Very little is mentioned here about holding the shape during cooking/baking. I would like to know which apples hold their shape best.

Foolish

Oct. 16, 2011 10:59 am

I just made my first apple pie using Wolf River apples. They were very tasty and held up to baking.

Tigz

Nov. 8, 2011 7:34 am

Um....Rome Apples anyone? I mean, they are THE default and best known baking apple....yet they weren't listed?

I_make_lembas_bread

Nov. 23, 2011 9:31 am

You prevent apples from browning by adding an acid, Lemon juice should work phenomenally

carolyn64

Dec. 23, 2011 1:32 pm

help! lately every apple pie I make comes out with the apples looking brown! they used to look like cooked apples, but now the pie looks more like a rhubarb/strawberry pie!

Horsegirl

Dec. 23, 2011 8:27 pm

To keep apples from browning toss them in lemon juice after cutting them and if cutting multile types of fruit for say fruit salad cut them last

Elizabeth

Feb. 15, 2012 6:49 pm

Staci01rn: spray the apples with lemon juice and that will prevent browning.

Baba8

Mar. 18, 2012 6:11 pm

I have some Gala apples that are a little old.... wrinkled skin after a couple of weeks in the fridge :( Can I add them to my Ida Reds for a pie I want to turn out fairly well for company?

daazninvazn131

May 19, 2012 1:52 pm

salt water or lemon juice will prevent browning

brittanyw

May 23, 2012 1:50 pm

AWESOME!! I almost made apple crisp using Red Delicious...looks like I ll be going back to the store.

CMee

Jul. 19, 2012 9:09 pm

Excuse if others have already answered but you can keep cut apples from turning brown by sprinkling with lemon juice. That way you can keep a bowl of cut apple wedges looking fresh in the frige for a healthy snack that's always ready.

grpa

Jul. 26, 2012 9:52 am

When cooking with apples, remember these facts: 3 medium apples 1 pound apples = 1 pound of apples = 4 small apples = 3 cups of diced apples = 3 medium apples = 2 3/4 cups of sliced apples = 2 large apples = 1 1/2 cups applesauce To make a 9 inch apple pie, use 6-8 medium apples. 2 lbs. of apples make 3 cups of applesauce. 1 bushel of apples makes 16-20 quarts of applesauce.

Beatrice

Aug. 23, 2012 9:40 pm

you like da pickles?

Aug. 29, 2012 9:29 am

This is a great explanation of all the apples is there a printed format would love to put it in my cookbook.

Gruntfuttock

Sep. 4, 2012 1:25 am

I am astonished then the Bramley apple is not mentioned. I have read that many countries use eating apples to cook with but having tried that myself they seem insipid and tasteless. The first Bramley was 'found' by a little girl not cultivated. It's history is well worth reading.The original tree is still alive. If you asked anybody in the UK to name a cooking apple it would be the Bramley, it's that good. Mind you if I get a bad year on my Bramley tree Ida Red is useable - but not the same by any means.

Lynn

Sep. 11, 2012 11:20 am

Mac's are my apple of choice...u can use them for everything....:)

Elon

Sep. 26, 2012 12:05 pm

Carole..... in my opinion if you can get Northern Spy they hold their shape in the pieces you cut them in very well. They are the only apples I use for pies. I'm kind of shocked to hear that some of you use Mac's for pies. To me, they are too juicy of an apple for baking and best for just an eating apple. I'm not in to my pies being like applesauce. Sorry... but that's my experience.

gail38

Oct. 11, 2012 9:40 am

just finished freezing a bushell of CORTLANDS,our favorite.apple pie spice,alittle butter,salt,brown and white sugar or splenda.Peel and slice,cook til tender in a small amt water.SOOO good.can do in micro ,too

gail38

Oct. 11, 2012 9:44 am

the previous is for great applesauce.Freeze in quart bags.

Pamela

Oct. 19, 2012 10:37 am

Very helpful. Thank you much :)

chris

Nov. 10, 2012 7:10 pm

Outsanding information! After this no one can tell me an apple is apple.

Lori

Mar. 25, 2013 7:19 pm

Grateful for the information. I am always working on my "favorite." I have been unable to find McIntosh this year, I live in midwest. Finding Honey Crisp a great eating and cooking apple. Always, always love the good ol' fashioned Granny Smith, they work every time for however you choose [fruit & cheese plate, pies, applesauce...you name it.] Pink lady's are good, but difficult to find fresh.

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