12 Great Apples for Baking

Find your favorite apple

The best baking apples offer a balance of sweet and tart flavors as well as flesh that doesn't break down in the oven. Here we showcase 12 great baking apples that meet those criteria--as suggested by the Ohio Apple Marketing Program and the Michigan Apple Committee. Once you know which apples to look for, experiment, mix and match to find your tastiest combination.

"My mother's favorite is to blend Cortland and Melrose in a pie," says Bill Dodd, program director for the Ohio Apple Marketing Program. "The more varieties you use, the richer the blend of flavor."

What's your favorite combination of baking apples? Add your suggestions in the Comments section below. Then give them a try in Apple Pear Praline Pie (pictured at left), or any of the many tasty options in "19 Irresistible Apple Recipes" (in Related Links box below)."