Baked Apples

By bobcat

Ingredients

• Medium sized apples
• Raisins or craisins
• Pinch of Cinnamon
• Pinch of Nutmeg
• Butter pats

Preparation

Step 1

Core each apple, using a melon baller. Leave the flower end on as a bottom. Score the skin, making the skin easier to eat.

Cut the skin around the top of the "core hole" about an inch down. Place each apple in a suitably sized baking dish (microwave or oven-proof depending on cooking method you choose).

Fill the core hole with spices and fruit. The amount of raisins/craisins that you use depends on the size of the core.

Place a pat of butter on top of the core hole. You don't need a lot...just enough to cover the hole- a quarter to a half of tablespoon is sufficient.

Drop a tablespoon of water into the baking dish. This will add the moisture needed to keep the apple moist as it bakes, so that it doesn't come out dry. This will also provide a little apple juice at the bottom of the bowl, which adds a lot of flavor.

Bake the apple. For oven, set at 350 degrees F. Bake apples for approximately 1 hour or until they feel tender when pierced with a fork. It is important to check frequently and add more water to prevent the apples from drying out as they bake.

For microwave, it is hard to predict how long it will take, it depends on how hard the apple is. Most apples take at least 10 minutes, but start out with 5 minutes, and microwave in intervals of 30 seconds, checking each time the microwave stops. When the apple is soft and the skin is softer, it is done.

I crumble oatmeal craisin cookies over top of baked apples and serve with whipped topping for an extra treat.