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Applejack-Spiked Baked Apples

Source of Recipe

From "Maple Syrup Cookbook" by Ken Haedrich


Recipe Introduction

"Most baked apples I can take or leave, but these lavishly bathed in a heady combination of applejack, maple, butter, and vanilla — are in a class by themselves. One of the important steps here is to cool the apples, periodically basting them with the thickening juices, before you serve them. Excellent with a dollop of cold sour cream or lightly sweetened whipped cream."

List of Ingredients

â—¦ ¼ cup finely chopped walnuts or pecans
â—¦ ¼ cup finely chopped dried dates
â—¦ 3 tablespoons butter
â—¦ 4 large firm cooking apples
â—¦ â…“ cup pure maple syrup
â—¦ ¼ cup water
â—¦ â…“ cup applejack or â…” cup apple cider reduced over low heat to â…“ cup
â—¦ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
â—¦ ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon


Recipe

Preheat the oven to 375° F. Combine the walnuts and dates in a small bowl. Rub about ½ tablespoon of the butter into the nut mixture so it all pulls together. Set aside.

Core the apples, a little on the wide side, then peel the upper third of each one; this will help prevent them from bursting. Cut 1/16th-inch off the bottom of each apple, so they sit flat in the pan. Divide the reserved nut mixture among the cavities, stuffing it down into each one; hold one hand at the bottom so the mixture isn't pushed out. The filling should come to a little below the top of the apple, leaving a small space to hold the basting juice. Place the apples in a large pie plate.

Bring the maple syrup, water, and remaining 2 ½ tablespoons butter to a boil in a saucepan. Boil briefly, remove from the heat, then stir in the applejack, vanilla, and cinnamon. Pour this mixture over the apples, then put the pan in the oven. Bake for about 50 minutes, basting every 10 minutes or so. Remove from the oven and let cool, periodically basting with the pan juices as they thicken. Serve lukewarm, at room temperature, or — my favorite way — cold, for breakfast. Spoon any leftover juice over the apples when serving.

Makes 4 servings