Smoky Grilled Baked Apples with Goat Cheese

How to Make Smoky Grilled Baked Apples with Goat Cheese

1. 1

   Step 1: Prep apples and whip the goat cheese

   Active 8 min

   Core each apple and cut into halves. In a bowl, toss the apple halves with 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of the melted unsalted butter, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon so the cut sides are coated; set aside. In a separate bowl, use a fork or small whisk to whip 4 ounces fresh goat cheese with 2 tablespoons heavy cream and 1 tablespoon of the honey until smooth and spreadable (reserve the remaining 1 tablespoon honey for finishing).

   For this step

   • 4 mediummedium apples (ripe but firm), cored and halved
   • 1 tablespoonfresh lemon juice
   • 1/4 teaspoonkosher salt
   • 1/2 teaspoonground cinnamon
   • 4 ouncesfresh goat cheese
   • 2 tablespoonsheavy cream
   • 2 tablespoonshoney
   
2. 2

   Step 2: Make quick candied pecans

   Active 4 min · Passive 4 min

   Heat a small skillet over medium heat and add the remaining 1 tablespoon melted unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon light brown sugar and 1/3 cup pecans. Stir constantly until the sugar melts and coats the pecans and they become glossy and fragrant, about 2–3 minutes; transfer to a sheet of parchment to cool (allow about 4 minutes cooling).

   For this step

   • 1/3 cuppecans
   • 1 tablespoonlight brown sugar
   
3. 3

   Step 3: Preheat the grill and caramelize the apples

   Active 6 min · Passive 12 min

   Preheat a gas or charcoal grill to medium-high (about 375–425°F / 190–220°C). Place apple halves cut-side down directly on the grill grates; brush any exposed flesh lightly with the reserved melted butter. Grill until deeply caramelized and smoky, 10–12 minutes total, turning once halfway through; watch carefully so the sugars don't burn. Remove apples and let them rest briefly on a platter.
4. 4

   Step 4: Fill and finish the apples

   Active 6 min

   Spoon or pipe the whipped goat cheese into the hollowed center of each grilled apple half (fill each half generously). Roughly chop the cooled candied pecans and scatter them over the filled apples, then drizzle the reserved 1 tablespoon honey over the top and finish with a tiny pinch of kosher salt if desired.
   
5. 5

   Step 5: Serve warm

   Active 2 min

   Serve the smoky grilled baked apples warm from the grill; plan on 2 apple halves per person (this recipe makes 8 halves). They pair beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a cup of strong coffee.
   

1. Core each apple and cut into halves. In a bowl, toss the apple halves with 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of the melted unsalted butter, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon so the cut sides are coated; set aside. In a separate bowl, use a fork or small whisk to whip 4 ounces fresh goat cheese with 2 tablespoons heavy cream and 1 tablespoon of the honey until smooth and spreadable (reserve the remaining 1 tablespoon honey for finishing).
2. Heat a small skillet over medium heat and add the remaining 1 tablespoon melted unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon light brown sugar and 1/3 cup pecans. Stir constantly until the sugar melts and coats the pecans and they become glossy and fragrant, about 2–3 minutes; transfer to a sheet of parchment to cool (allow about 4 minutes cooling).
3. Preheat a gas or charcoal grill to medium-high (about 375–425°F / 190–220°C). Place apple halves cut-side down directly on the grill grates; brush any exposed flesh lightly with the reserved melted butter. Grill until deeply caramelized and smoky, 10–12 minutes total, turning once halfway through; watch carefully so the sugars don't burn. Remove apples and let them rest briefly on a platter.
4. Spoon or pipe the whipped goat cheese into the hollowed center of each grilled apple half (fill each half generously). Roughly chop the cooled candied pecans and scatter them over the filled apples, then drizzle the reserved 1 tablespoon honey over the top and finish with a tiny pinch of kosher salt if desired.
5. Serve the smoky grilled baked apples warm from the grill; plan on 2 apple halves per person (this recipe makes 8 halves). They pair beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a cup of strong coffee.