Bloomin’ Apples with Caramel and Ice Cream Recipe

If you’re looking for a dessert that feels both comforting and just a little fancy, I absolutely love this Bloomin’ Apples with Caramel and Ice Cream Recipe. It’s the kind of sweet treat that makes any evening feel special—imagine warm, tender apples bursting with gooey caramel, topped off with creamy vanilla ice cream. It’s easy to make, but the flavors come together in such a spectacular way that you’ll want to make it for all your gatherings.

When I first tried making bloomin’ apples, I was surprised at how simple it was to turn everyday fruit into a show-stopping dessert. Whether you’re baking in the oven or popping them in the air fryer, they come out luscious and perfect every time. This Bloomin’ Apples with Caramel and Ice Cream Recipe works beautifully for cozy family dinners or impressing guests without any stress.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Bloomin’ Apples with Caramel and Ice Cream Recipe lies in its simple ingredients that come together to create layers of flavor and texture. Fresh apples are your foundation, caramel gives melted sweetness, and cinnamon spices things up just right.

• Cooking spray: Helps keep your baking dish or air fryer basket from sticking; a little goes a long way.
• Melted butter: Adds richness and helps the sugars and cinnamon caramelize beautifully on the apples.
• Brown sugar: Brings a deep molasses flavor that pairs perfectly with cinnamon and apples.
• Granulated sugar: Balances the brown sugar’s richness with some simple sweetness.
• Ground cinnamon: This warm spice is essential for that classic apple dessert flavor.
• Apples: Choose firm apples like Honeycrisp or Fuji so they hold their shape while cooking.
• Chewy caramel squares: These melt inside the apples to create a gooey surprise in each bite.
• Natural vanilla ice cream: I love Breyers for this because it’s creamy and not overly sweet, balancing the warm apples wonderfully.
• Caramel sauce: For drizzling on top — store-bought works great, but homemade elevates it even more!

Variations

I love playing around with this Bloomin’ Apples with Caramel and Ice Cream Recipe depending on the season or what I have on hand. Don’t hesitate to make the recipe your own by trying different apples or toppings!

• Spiced Up: Sometimes I add a pinch of nutmeg or even a splash of vanilla extract to the butter mixture for extra depth—definitely worth trying!
• Dairy-Free Option: If you want to skip the butter and ice cream, coconut oil and a dairy-free vanilla ice cream make a tasty swap.
• Nutty Crunch: Adding chopped pecans or walnuts sprinkled on top before serving adds a satisfying crunch that my family loves.
• Chocolate Drizzle: For a decadent twist, drizzle melted dark chocolate instead of caramel sometimes—it’s heavenly.

How to Make Bloomin’ Apples with Caramel and Ice Cream Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Apples Like a Pro

First things first: preheat your oven to 375°F (or 350°F for air fryer) and grease your baking dish or air fryer basket with cooking spray. Slice the top off each apple, just like a little hat, then use an apple corer to carefully remove the core—all the way down but without cutting through the bottom. If any core bits remain, a small spoon works wonders to scoop those out so your caramel can melt into a perfect pocket. Then with a paring knife, make two circular cuts around the apple horizontally, but don’t slice all the way through—this creates that “bloomin’” effect when it cooks. Lay the apples cut-side down on a board and slice crosswise carefully to fan them out later.

Step 2: Butter, Sugar & Cinnamon Mix Magic

Whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon in a small bowl until smooth. This mixture is what gives the apples their caramelized, spicy glaze. Brush it generously over each apple—don’t be shy, it makes such a difference in flavor and texture.

Step 3: Fill ‘Em with Caramel and Bake (or Air Fry!)

Stuff each apple with two caramel squares tucked right into the core cavity. Then place your apples in the baking dish or air fryer basket. Bake in the oven for about 30 minutes until the apples are tender and the caramel has melted inside. If using an air fryer, 20 minutes at 350°F works great. Keep an eye on them towards the end—you want the apples soft but still holding shape, and that buttery sugar mixture bubbling on top.

Step 4: Serve Warm with Ice Cream and a Caramel Drizzle

Once your bloomin’ apples are out of the oven or air fryer, plate them up while they’re warm. Add a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side and drizzle with extra caramel sauce for a glorious finish. That warm-and-cold combo is just irresistible—you’ll see why this dessert quickly becomes a favorite.

How to Serve Bloomin’ Apples with Caramel and Ice Cream Recipe

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt over the top when drizzling caramel—it cuts through the sweetness perfectly and adds a lovely texture contrast. Fresh mint leaves add color and freshness if you want a bit of visual flair. Sometimes chopped toasted pecans also make a fantastic crunchy garnish.

Side Dishes

This Bloomin’ Apples with Caramel and Ice Cream Recipe is such a satisfying dessert on its own, but if you want to go big, a simple warm cup of spiced chai tea or a scoop of cinnamon oatmeal pairs nicely for an indulgent autumn-inspired treat.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I love placing these apples in individual mini cast iron skillets so the caramel stays hot longer, and guests feel like they’re getting a fancy plate. Another fun idea is serving on a wooden board with small ramekins of caramel and ice cream so everyone can customize their own bites.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you find yourself with leftovers (which happens less often than you’d think), store the bloomin’ apples in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. The apples can soften further overnight, so I prefer reheating gently to regain some texture.

Freezing

Freezing generally isn’t my first go-to with this recipe since the texture of baked apples can change, but if you want to prep ahead, you can freeze the unbaked prepared apples (with caramel inside and butter mixture brushed on) on a tray, then transfer to a bag for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking as directed.

Reheating

The best way to reheat leftover bloomin’ apples is in the oven at 325°F for about 10-15 minutes until warmed through. Avoid microwaving as it tends to make the apples mushy and the caramel tough.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Bloomin’ Apples with Caramel and Ice Cream Recipe is one of those desserts I’m always excited to make because it’s simple yet feels truly special. Every time I serve it, the reaction is the same—people smile, dig in, and ask for seconds. I can’t recommend it enough if you want a cozy, comforting dessert that’s easy to customize but impossible to resist. Trust me, once you try this, it’ll become a go-to treat in your kitchen too.

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