Apples filled with dried fruit, chopped walnuts, brown sugar and cinnamon, cooked all together to make the perfect Fall time snack or dessert. Cooked in the microwave always for a quick and delicious treat anytime of the day.
Cool air with beautiful Fall colors in the trees has gently settled into South-Western NH. With this change in weather I have found myself quickly becoming more drawn to all the flavors that I associate with the Fall such as pumpkins and apples. Pies, cakes and bars have been rolling out of my oven at lightening speed. I blame most of it on the vast amount of gorgeous apples that this Fall season has provided. The apples that are dropping off of the trees this year are big, beautiful and tasty. The unlimited supply of apples has given me the extra push to produce as many baked confections that I can find which calls for apples.
Baked Apples is a recipe that fell quickly into my "all things baked with apples" category. Thus, as I was browsing through Lori's Culinary Creations, my Secret Recipe Club assignment for this month, I quickly picked Lori's recipe for Baked Apples. Believe it or not it was my very first time making a recipe for baked apples. I am delighted to say that my first try at baked apples was perfect! I love the recipe I discovered from Lori! It was simple, quick and delicious.
Lori's recipe calls for Jonagold or Braeburn apples - I had Cortland apples on hand so I used them knowing that Cortlands bake up nicely and I wasn't disappointed. I then filled each 1/2 of prepared apple with a mixture of brown sugar, cinnamon, chopped nuts and some dried fruit and then covered the apples securely with plastic wrap and popped the pan in to the microwave. I wasn't quite sure how the baked apples would come out due to being "baked" in the microwave. I had nothing to fear. 4 minutes cooked in microwave and the filled apples came out to perfection. They were a tender texture and the filling melted beautifully into the apples.
I have no doubt that all of Lori's recipes on Lori's Kitchen Creations are just as good as this recipe for Baked Apples. I was amazed and quite impressed with the variety and amount of recipes she has showcased on the her blog. I am looking forward to baking up a batch of Pineapple Cornbread - I love all things made with cornmeal. I also want to make a HUGE batch of her Creamy Cilantro Ranch Dressing - I am a die hard lover of cilantro.
Baked Apples
(recipe from Lori's Kitchen Creations)
Ingredients:
2 large apples - Jonagold, Braeburn or Cortland, cored and cut in 1/2
2 TBSP dried cranberries
2 TBSP raisins
2 TBSP chopped walnuts
2 TBSP brown sugar, lightly packed
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1-2 TBSP butter
Directions:
In a small bowl combine all together dried fruit, nuts, brown sugar and cinnamon. Lightly spray a microwave proof baking dish that will contain your apples. Place apples inside baking dish cut side up.
Fill with mixture and then evenly dot each filled apple with butter. Cover dish securely with plastic wrap on all sides except one allowing for one corner to vent.
Cook in microwave for 4 minutes. Allow to cool for 2 minutes before serving. A scoop of ice cream is lovely on top of each baked apple if you wish!
Enjoy!
Happy Baked Apple Making!
