Baked Apples

By sassy47

Ingredients

• To serve (Optional):
• 6 medium baking apples (Rome Beauty, McIntosh, Jonagold, Fuji, Granny Smith, Golden Delicious)
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp (generous pinch) grated nutmeg
• 1/3 cup dried cranberries (Craisins) or raisins
• 3 Tbsp unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup walnuts, finely chopped, optional
• 1 cup hot water
• Unsweetened whipped cream or vanilla ice cream

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 375˚F. In a small bowl, combine ½ cup brown sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon and ⅛ tsp nutmeg and stir with a fork. Stir in ⅓ cup dried cranberries and set aside.
Wash and core the apples using a melon baller, or small paring knife, leaving base intact to keep the filling in - don't cut all the way through! Place apples in casserole dish just big enough to hold apples without touching.
Divide the filling evenly between apples. Top each stuffed apple with ½ Tbsp butter, top with walnuts if using and sprinkle with any remaining cinnamon mixture.
Pour 1 cup hot water into the casserole dish and bake at 375˚F for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until apples are soft (but not mushy). Baking time can vary by the type and size of apples you are using.