Guys–here is how to take credit for the highlight of the Christmas dinner!
I have made baked apples several times. Serve them before the gifts are distributed and everyone will say how great they are. After the gifts, well…
Take the required number of apples (I use Granny Smith, but whatever your preference). Cut them in half and scoop out the seeds.
Set each half in a rimmed cookie sheet, but put a canned pineapple ring underneath it to hold it flat (neat trick huh). Dump the pineapple juice into the pan.
Drizzle the sliced top of the apple with honey so that some of the later add-in's stick.
Fill the scooped out hole with maple syrup and drizzle some around the entire top of the apple. Also drizzle a bit into the pineapple juice.
Then sprinkle some brown sugar on the flat part of each apple and let some also fall off into the pan.
Mix together some cinnamon (a lot) and nutmeg (a little) and sprinkle it on.
Now is the time to add-in anything else you want. Some possible options are blueberries, raisins, dried cranberries or cherries, walnuts/pecans, canned Madeiran orange slices…. Some will stick in the honey; some will fall into the pan. If you have any left, also dump them and the Madeiran orange juice into the pan.
If you want more liquid to spoon on when serving you could also add apple cider or apple juice (good). bourbon (better) or brandy (best). I have never tried beer; if you try it let me know how it tastes.
Bake at around 350 for about 30-40 minutes or until your pocketknife slides in easy.
Or, if you’re really in a hurry to open your new toys, nuke them for a couple of minutes.
Remember to take the credit
They’ll want you to make dessert again next Christmas. So visit the blog next year for another winner.