– 4 large firm apples (like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith)
– 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
– 1 tablespoon brown sugar
– 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
– 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
– A pinch of ground cloves
– Optional toppings: vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce, whipped cream, chopped nuts
Directions:
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C), and grease a baking dish large enough to fit your apples snugly.
2. Start by cutting the top off each apple. Then, use a small paring knife and a spoon to core the apples, making a sizeable well in the middle, but be careful not to cut through the bottom.
3. Next, place each apple on a cutting board and make two circular cuts around the top of the apple. Then make vertical slices down the sides, about 1/4-inch apart, ensuring not to cut through the base.
4. In a small bowl, mix together the softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves until well blended.
5. Place your apples in the prepared baking dish and gently separate the apple slices to open them up a bit. Spoon your blissful butter mixture into the apples, ensuring it gets down into the slices.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for about 30-40 minutes, or until the apples are tender and golden brown. Check on them occasionally; if they start to over-brown, you can cover them loosely with foil.
7. Remove from oven and let them cool for a few minutes – they’ll be piping hot!
Variations & Tips:
Feel free to switch up the spices to suit your taste, whether it’s adding a dash of allspice or even some cardamom for a unique twist. For you busy bees out there, you can prep the apples ahead of time by coring them, slicing, and keeping them in lemon water to prevent browning.
When you’re ready to bake, simply stuff them with the sugar and spice mix, and you’re good to go! Plus, if you’d like to keep it healthier, swap the butter with coconut oil and use a sweetener of your choice instead of brown sugar. Enjoy your bloomin’ beautiful creation, and remember, the best meals are shared, so invite someone over and spread the joy!
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