Baked Apples

By JJCR

Baked apples are so very good and can be served along with baked ham or roasted turkey as part of the meal. They may also be served as a dessert with caramel sauce.

Ingredients

• Caramel Sauce:
• 6 same-size granny smith apples
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 tbsp. butter
• 1 cup apple juice
• 6 sprigs fresh mint
• 8 tbsp. (1 stick) butter
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 1/4 cup evaporated milk
• 1/2 tsp vanilla

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Core apples, being sure not to puncture bottom of apples, so juices will remain. Skin 1/2 inch around top of apples at the opening. Fill each cavity with a mixture of cinnamon, nutmeg, and sugar. Top each apple with tsp of butter. Place apples in casserole dish and pour apple juice around them. Bake for approximately 1 1/2 hours.


Caramel Sauce:
Melt butter; add brown sugar and evaporated milk in saucepan over medium heat. Cook until bubbly, stirring constantly. Continue to cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Add vanilla. Place apples in individual compote dishes and top each with an ample amount of caramel and sprig of mint. Serve immediately.


Paula Deen's Kitchen Classics