Holiday Baked Apples Recipe

By VegasBartender

These appetizing oven-baked apples from Paula Marchesi of Lenhartsville, Pennsylvania abound with fall flavor. The cored apples are filled with raisins, nuts and dried cranberries, then baked in a fragrant spiced sauce. Topped with white chocolate shavings, the apples will add a festive touch to your seasonal gatherings.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons grated fresh gingerroot
• 2-1/2 cups reduced-calorie reduced-sugar cranberry juice
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/3 cup dried cranberries
• 1/3 cup golden raisins
• 1/3 cup slivered almonds
• 8 medium tart apples
• 1/2 ounce white baking chocolate, shaved

Details

Servings 8
Preparation time 15mins
Cooking time 70mins
Adapted from tasteofhome.com

Preparation

Step 1

In a bowl, combine the brown sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon and ginger. Stir in the cranberry juice, syrup, lemon juice and almond extract until smooth; set aside. Combine the cranberries, raisins and almonds; set aside.

Core apples, then peel top half off each. Place in a 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Fill each apple with 2 tablespoons cranberry mixture. Pour the juice mixture over and around apples.

Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 55-65 minutes or until tender, basting occasionally. Reduce pan juices if desired. To serve, drizzle apples with pan juices and sprinkle with chocolate.
Yield: 8 servings.