MAPLE BAKED APPLES WITH DRIED FRUIT AND NUTS

Maple Baked Apples with Dried Fruit and Nuts image

Provided by Claudia Fleming

Yield Makes 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

1/3 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
3 tablespoons roughly chopped dried cherries
3 tablespoons chopped dried figs
2 tablespoons roughly chopped sliced toasted almonds
2 tablespoons roughly chopped toasted pecans
6 large, firm baking apples, such as Cortlands, cored but not peeled
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 6 pieces
1/2 cup apple cider
2 tablespoons maple syrup

Steps:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, dried fruit, and nuts.
2. Place the apples in a baking pan or casserole dish and stuff their cavities with the fruit and nut mixture. Place a piece of butter on top of the stuffing.
3. Pour the apple cider and maple syrup into the bottom of the baking pan and bake the apples, basting every 5 to 7 minutes, until they are tender, 25 to 35 minutes.
4. When the apples are tender, transfer them to a serving platter and cover with foil to keep warm. Pour the pan juices into a small saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Simmer the mixture until it becomes syrupy and reduces to a sauce, about 10 minutes. Serve over the apples.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with yogurt, whipped crème fraîche, or ginger ice cream.