Baked Apples

Ingredients

• 4-6 ripe apples 
• 4 Tablespoons water
• 1-2 dates, pitted and chopped small
• 1 -2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 Tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional)
• 4 Tablespoons finely chopped walnuts
• Plain yogurt for topping, if desired

Directions

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• Remove the core and seeds while keeping the bottom of the apple intact. You want to have a nice “pocket” for the filling.
• Put the apples in a medium baking dish with sides; apples should fit nicely with just a little space in between.
• Combine the cinnamon and chopped dates and stuff into each apple.
• Drizzle honey or maple syrup if desired.
• Add water to bottom of the dish to prevent sticking.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the apples are soft, about 20-30 minutes.
• Check for doneness-you want the inside to be soft and tender. Add water if needed.
• Sprinkle walnuts on top when cool.
• Top with a tablespoon of yogurt if desired.

Mary-Beth says: “Any apple variety will work, but Fuji and Gala seem to retain their shape while getting nice and soft inside when baked.”