Stuffed Baked Apples with Spices

Baked Apples with Spices Recipe

Ingredients:

• 4 large apples (such as Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji)
• 1/4 cup brown sugar (or substitute for 4 tablespoons of maple syrup for a healthier option)
• 1/4 cup chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, or almonds work well)
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil or unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 cup raisins or dried cranberries (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Prepare the Apples: Wash the apples thoroughly and dry them. Using an apple corer or a small knife, carefully remove the cores, leaving the bottom intact to create a cavity for the filling. Alternatively, you can cut the apples in half and place the filling into the carved core pocket. Place the apples in a baking dish.
3. Prepare the Filling: In a bowl, mix together the brown sugar (or alternative sweetener), chopped nuts, butter (or oil), cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and the raisins or dried cranberries if using. Combine everything until it forms a crumbly mixture.
4. Fill the Apples: Stuff each apple with the prepared filling, dividing it equally among them. Press the filling gently into the cavities.
5. Bake the Apples: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake the apples in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes, or until they are tender but not mushy.
6. Serve: Once baked, remove the apples from the oven. Let them cool for a few minutes before serving. Optionally, serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a scoop of whipped cream for an extra treat.
7. Enjoy! Dig into these delightful baked apples with spices, savoring the warm, fragrant flavors and the tender sweetness of the apples.

This dessert is a delicious treat during the colder months but can be made year round as apples are readily available. Adjust the sweetness and spices according to your taste preferences, and feel free to experiment with different nuts or dried fruits for variations on this classic baked apple recipe.