The Best Apples for Baking Guide

When it comes to baking, choosing the right fruit is just as important as finding a good recipe. This “Best Apples for Baking” Guide will answer all your questions on how to choose the right apple variety for baking apple crumble, cakes, crisps, applesauce and pies!

This post may contain affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission - at not cost to you - for purchases made through these links.

Choosing the right apples to bake can make a huge difference in your finished product. The texture and consistency of the apple is just as important as its taste. Whether you like your apple sweet, crisp, tangy or juicy (or all of the above), there is an apple for you and your next baked good.

This article will tell you all about the right apples for the right recipe. And by right apple, I mean right apple for you! We will look closely at the best apple varieties for:

Apple Cakes, Crumble and Crisps – or any baked goods with apples in them
Applesauce
Apple Pies and Tarts

A quick warning though: when it comes to baking, some recipes will work for you better than others. It’s just like choosing the best type of apples: sometimes, the recommended ones are not the ones that you prefer or usually use. So as always… do what works best for you!!

1. Best Apples for Apple Cakes, Crisps and Crumbles

When it comes to choosing the right Apple for baking a crumble, apple Crisp or a cake, you want to pick an apple that is firm to hold its shape while baking. You can pick either a crisp and tart apple or go for a sweeter variety. The best way to create a nice balance is to simply mix two variety of apples, one tart and one sweet!

Crisp Apples for Baking Cakes

Granny Smith: firm, juicy and tart
Honeycrisp: crisp and aromatic, lightly sweet
Braeburn: very firm, juicy and crisp with a spicy flavour
Cortland: juicy and lightly tart with finely grained flesh

Sweet Apples for Baked Desserts

Golden Delicious: firm and crunchy with a mild sweet flavour
Jazz: juicy, sweet and crunchy

Crisp and Sweet Apples for Baking

Fuji: spicy, crisp and sweet
Pink Lady: crunchy, sweet and tart
Jonagold: large, firm and sweet yet lightly tart

My favourite Baked Apples Recipes:

Easy French Apple Cake

Upside-Down Apple Cake

Apple Cinnamon Baked Donuts
from Kidgredients

Pear and Apple Crumble

Individual Apple Crisps
from Cook it Real Good

Caramel Apple Cupcakes
from The Cooking Collective

2. Best Apples for Applesauce

When choosing the right apple to make applesauce, you want to pick a variety that will easily get soft and mushy. A great way to make applesauce without sugar is to use a sweet apple. You can also pick an apple that is more crisp for a more tart applesauce flavour. Again, feel free to mix different variety to create different taste!

Crisp Apples for applesauce

McIntosh: very juicy and crisp
Honeycrisp: crisp and aromatic, lightly sweet

Sweet Apples for applesauce

Red Delicious: sweet with a mild flavour
Gala: sweet with a mild flavour

Crisp and Sweet Apples for applesauce

Jonathan: sweet with a touch of acidity
Jonagold: large, firm and sweet yet lightly tart

Find out to to make Homemade Applesauce in less than 1 hour!

Wondering what to make with Applesauce? Try these Applesauce Cookies from Hoskins Hens!

3. Best Apples for Apple Pie

Just like for making Apple Crisps, you want to pick an apple that will stay firm when baked. Once again, the choice of tart or sweet apple is completely up to you, and you can absolutely mix two (or more) varieties together!