Cook's Ham

Speedy "Baked" Apples

Description

Juicy "baked" apples stuffed with brown sugar, cinnamon, raisins and nuts.

Ingredients

• * 4 large Jonagold, Fuji or Braeburn apples (about 2 pounds)
• * 1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• * 2 tablespoons raisins or chopped pitted dates
• * 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts or pecans, toasted
• * 1 tablespoon butter, melted
• * 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• * 1 tablespoon water
• * 3 tablespoons maple-flavored syrup

Preparation

1. Remove cores from apples to within 1/2 inch of bottoms of apples. (Be careful not to cut through to bottoms of apples.) Peel top half of each apple; set apples aside.
2. Combine brown sugar, raisins, walnuts, butter and cinnamon in small bowl. Spoon about 1/4 cup of the sugar mixture into each apple. Place in shallow microwavable dish. Add the water to bottom of dish. Brush syrup over tops of apples; cover with waxed paper.
3. Microwave on HIGH 10 to 12 minutes, or until apples are tender when pierced with tip of sharp knife, rotating dish after 5 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Top with ice cream, if desired.

Notes

Cool to room temperature before serving. Or, cover and refrigerate to serve chilled.