Follow these step-by-step instructions for perfectly tender, sweet, and spiced Honey Roasted Cinnamon Apples every time. The process is straightforward and yields spectacular results.

1. Preheat and Prepare: Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Select a baking dish that is just large enough to hold the apple halves snugly in a single layer. A 9×9 inch or a similar-sized oval dish works perfectly.
2. Prepare the Apples: Wash and dry your apples thoroughly. Using a sharp knife, carefully slice each apple in half from the stem to the base. There is no need to peel them; the skin helps the apples hold their shape during baking and adds a lovely color and texture.
3. Core the Apples: Using a melon baller or a small spoon, scoop out the core and seeds from each apple half. Create a small, shallow well in the center of each half. This well will hold the delicious honey and butter mixture as it bakes.
4. Arrange in Baking Dish: Place the cored apple halves, cut-side up, into your prepared baking dish. Make sure they are arranged in a single, even layer.
5. Create the Honey Mixture: In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, ground cinnamon, water, and the pinch of salt until the cinnamon is fully incorporated and the mixture is smooth.
6. Pour the Glaze: Carefully pour this honey-cinnamon mixture evenly over the apple halves. Try to get some of the mixture into the wells you created, but it’s okay if it pools in the bottom of the dish—this will create the basting sauce.
7. Add the Butter: Place one or two small pieces of the cut-up butter into the well of each apple half. As the apples bake, the butter will melt and mingle with the honey and cinnamon, creating an incredibly rich and flavorful sauce.
8. Bake the Apples: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven. Bake for 30 to 45 minutes. The exact time will depend on the size and variety of your apples.
9. Baste for a Perfect Glaze: About halfway through the baking time (around the 20-minute mark), carefully remove the dish from the oven. Using a spoon or a pastry brush, baste the apples with the syrupy juices that have collected at the bottom of the dish. This step is crucial for creating that beautiful, shiny glaze and ensuring the apples are saturated with flavor. Return the dish to the oven.
10. Check for Doneness: The apples are ready when they are tender all the way through (a knife should easily pierce the flesh with little resistance) and the tops are slightly golden and caramelized. The sauce in the bottom of the dish should be bubbly and thickened.
11. Rest and Serve: Once baked, remove the dish from the oven and let the apples rest for 5-10 minutes. This allows the sauce to thicken slightly more and the apples to cool just enough to be handled. Serve warm, drizzling any extra sauce from the pan over the top.