The Best Apples for Baking

Find out the best apple varieties to bake with this apple season.

Oct 5, 2009 Emily Betz Tyra

Spies are for pies is the familiar farmers’ mantra. Professional chefs swear by golden delicious or a mix of Empire and McIntosh for baking.

The best apples for baking are the ones that hold their flavor and don’t turn to mush when heated. Here are the Michigan apples that stand up and shine in baked desserts.

Cortland Mild

Tartness and snow white flesh that resists browning.

Empire

Sweet and tart, stays firm when bakes and holds up well for months after picking.

Golden Delicious

Ginger-hued skin is easy to peel; smooth flesh has a floral, spicy-sweet flavor.

Ida Red

Sweet and tangy with crisp, juicy flesh that stays firm when baked.

Jonagold

Sweetly tart and aromatic.

Jonamac

Rich, spicy and firm.

McIntosh

Ultra-juicy, only slightly tart apple.

Northern Spy

A hard, late-ripening antique apple with an unmistakable tart taste.

Paula Red

An early season Michigan native apple with tart flavor and good aroma.

Rome

Holds its mild, sweet flavor and shape well.

Wondering what to do with all those apples once you get them home?

 

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