Cherry-Almond Baked Apples

Dairy-Free

Gluten-Free

Vegan

Vegetarian

Celebrate apple season with this family-friendly apple dessert!

By Myra Kornfeld | Experience Life

Makes4 servings
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time45 to 60 minutes

Ingredients
Directions

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.

Nutritional information

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).

By Myra Kornfeld

Myra Kornfeld is a chef, educator, and the author of three cookbooks.

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