Fall is a time of busy-ness for so many. Soccer games, end of the year yard work, winter prep of chopping wood and covering patio furniture. In the seasonal part of the world, we’re preparing for the dark days of winter where rest is dictated by the lack of light and weather that forces us indoors.
This recipe for Maple Fruit-filled Baked Apples falls into the category of breakfast or dessert. I’ve made it for both. It’s quick, delicious and it smells divine while it’s cooking, exactly how autumn should smell.
It’s easily adaptable to your own tastes or diet requirements. It’s naturally gluten-free. I’ve made it with lots of different kinds of fruits and nuts. Make it your own and experiment. My favorite is a tropical fruit mixture with (soaked and dried) walnuts. You can put together your own dried fruit mixture or buy them premade from the store. If you use nuts, please take the time to soak and dry them. You will never be disappointed.
If you need a quick primer on why and how to soak nuts, you can find that here. If you’d like a longer explanation, that’s here.
I usually drizzle maple syrup over top but you could use honey. A dollop of whipped cream sends it over the top.
- 6 baking apples {I’m partial to MacIntosh}
- 1 cup of dried fruit and nuts, diced small
- Maple syrup or honey to taste
- Whipped cream {optional}
- Wash and core apples but do not peel.
- Place in a baking dish making sure that the apples sit upright and stable. Trim the bottom flat if necessary
- Fill each apple cavity with dried fruit.
- Bake, covered, in preheated oven at 350˚ for about 30 minutes. Check frequently after 25 minutes for doneness. Apples should be soft but not mushy. Different varieties and sizes will take different baking times.
- Remove from oven once soft. Drizzle with maple syrup {or honey} and serve with a side of whipped cream.
- *Note, these apples stay hot for a long time because the skin holds in the heat. Removing them from the oven about 15 minutes before serving makes them the perfect eating temperature with the cool whipped cream.