This recipe first appeared in “Healthy Hedonism: 3 Holiday Recipes to Savor.” Recipe excerpted from The Healthy Hedonist Holidays by Myra Kornfeld (Simon & Schuster, 2007).
Cherry-Almond Baked Apples
Celebrate apple season with this family-friendly apple dessert!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup whole almonds
- 1/2 cup dried cherries
- 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1 tbs. almond butter
- 1 tbs. maple syrup
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp. almond extract
- Salt
- 4 baking apples, such as Cortland, Rome Beauty or Mutzu
- 1/2 lemon
- 1 cup apple juice
Directions
STEP 1
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
STEP 2
Dry-toast the almonds in a medium, heavy-bottomed skillet about three minutes, until fragrant and lightly browned. Remove from the heat and chop into small pieces. Place in a bowl with the dried fruit and cinnamon.
STEP 3
Mix together the almond butter, maple syrup, vanilla, almond extract and a pinch of salt in another small bowl. Stir into the nuts just until the mixture is moistened.
STEP 4
Core the apples and peel a 1/2-inch band of skin around the middle of each apple to prevent them from splitting.
STEP 5
Rub the peeled area with the cut lemon. Spoon about 3 tablespoons of filling into each apple.
STEP 6
Place the apples in a baking dish or pie plate and pour the juice on the bottom.
STEP 7
Bake, uncovered, until the apples are tender, 45 minutes to an hour, basting every 15 minutes. A teaspoon of lemon or orange zest is a delicious addition.
STEP 8
Serve warm or at room temperature.
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Myra Kornfeld is a chef, educator, and the author of three cookbooks.
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