Simple Stuffed Baked Apples

Ingredients

• 3 to 4 large baking apples, such as honeycrisp, jonagold, or pink lady

Cinnamon And Brown Sugar Mixture

• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup lightly crushed nuts, 1/4 walnuts or your favorite
• 1/4 cup raisins, cranberries, or other chopped dried fruit of your choice
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon cardamom
• 1 to 2 tablespoon Extra virgin olive oil, a milder and fruity olive oil such as EVOO

Instructions

• Heat the oven. Place the rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 375°F.
  
• Make the cinnamon and brown sugar mixture. In a small bowl, combine the sugar, nuts, raisins or dried fruit of your choice. Add the cinnamon and cardamom. Mix well.
  

• Core the apples. Using an apple corer or a sharp paring knife, remove the core being careful to leave the bottom 1/2-inch of the apples intact. I like using a paring knife to cut around and remove the core, creating a whole that’s about 1 inch or so wide. Then, use a small spoon to scoop out the seeds and make room for the brown sugar filling.
  
• Stuff the apples. Arrange the apples, cavity side up, in a baking dish. Spoon the brown sugar and nut mixture into the apple cavities to fill them up all the way.
  
• Add the EVOO and hot water. Pour about 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil all over the stuffed apples. Pour 3/4 cup to 1 cup of boiling water from the side of the dish.
  
• Bake! Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until the apples are fully cooked through and tender (be careful not to over-bake them, you do not want the apples to be mushy).
  

• Peel and slice the apples. Core, peel and slice your apples into 1/2-inch slices. And arrange the apple slices on a baking dish or pan.
  
• Sprinkle with the brown sugar and cinnamon mixture, and drizzle with 2 tbsp olive oil and a little hot water (start with 1/4 cup). You can also add a little orange juice in place of the water. Toss to combine.
  
• Bake. Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for about 25 to 30 minutes, stirring the apples halfway through.
  

Note:

• Remove the baked apples from the oven and baste them with the brown sugar sauce from the bottom of the pan. Serve as is for a vegan dessert or add your favorite vanilla ice cream