A few nights ago my mom asked me to make dessert (well, whined at me to make dessert), but she wanted it to be healthy-ish. I was tired, so I didn't want to make anything that would be too much work. What was I to do? Then it hit me, baked apples! They are quite easy to make and you can really get creative with the flavors if you want. I used walnuts and dried currants, but you can substitute other nuts, or dried fruit or leave them out all together.
Ingredients:
Granny Smith Apples-I usually allow 2 per person, but 1 is fine if you are making dessert for a lot of people or just don't want to eat a lot
Brown sugar-2 tsp per apple, or to taste
Cinnamon-1/4 tsp per apple, or to taste
Chopped Walnuts (or any other nut you want)-1/2 tsp per apple, or to taste
Dried Currants (or other dried fruit)-1/2 tsp per apple, or to taste
1. Pre-heat the oven to 400*F and grease a pyrex dish or other oven proof pan.
2. Wash, dry and core the apples.
3. Score the apples' skin all the way around the center. This will keep the apple from exploding. Put them in the pan.
4. Mix the sugar, cinnamon, chopped nuts and dried fruit together in a small bowl.
5. Divide the mixture evenly between the apples, packing it into the cored hole in each.
6. Cook for 35-45 minutes, depending on the size of the apple. Until the inside of the apple is soft and the skin is somewhat browned but still shiny.
7. Serve immediately, plain or with vanilla ice cream. Or if you are being fancy, with a vanilla creme anglais.
