Monday, December 10, 2012

Maple Baked Apples


 



We love all apples, fresh, roasted or baked, it doesn't matter.
With the winter months upon us we thought we would share a simple but fun recipe for  
maple baked apples.

Some apples are best for baking, here's a few to choose from:

Cortland
This apple is juicy and tart with dense flesh that holds its shape when cooked.
Granny Smith
this apple is quite tart and doesn't turn brown as quickly as other varieties.
Haralson
It softens a bit more than other apples and releases a wonderful juice.
Golden Delicious
This sweet yellow apple is delicious in pies and crisps and it's very easy to find.
Rome Beauty
This fall apple holds its shape perfectly when cooked; it has a sweeter flesh than other baking apples.

Okay let's get started: 

Prep time
10 minutes
Cooking time
50-60 minutes
Serves
4

4 apples, such as Gala, Fuji or Granny Smith
4 pitted dates, chopped
2 tsp chopped walnuts or hazelnuts
4 tsp brown sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground cloves
½ cup maple syrup
½ cup water
4 tsp butter


Remove cores from apples with an apple corer.
Score the skin around  each apple with a sharp knife allowing them to split neatly around the middle when they bake.
Combine sugar, cinnamon and cloves.
Stuff mixture into apples and place them in a shallow baking dish.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Pour combined maple syrup and water over apples.

Brush with butter and bake until apples are wrinkly and soft and starting to puff, about 50-60 minutes. Serve with custard, heavy whipped cream or ice cream.