Yummy Baked Apples

Living in New York City you have access to just about anything you could imagine.  As I finished my degree in Holistic Health Counseling I began to appreciate the infamous farmer’s market in Union Square.  This farmer’s market was a regular stop for me and when I stopped working in the City, it was the thing I missed most.  That is until I discovered a fabulous farmer’s market close to my home.  Every Sunday morning during the summer and fall this farmer's market is my first stop.  They have fresh veggies, dairy, fish meats, fruits, honey and specialty cheeses.  There is one farmer that I have become fast friends with because he brings me the best apples and pears I have ever tasted.  They have a large variety of apples each with distinctive flavors good for just eating or a plethora of dishes.  I have also completely fallen in love with the brown sugar pear!  Oh my goodness, it is so sweet it is like eating candy.  When you bite into it the juice just runs everywhere.  My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

Inspiration for these baked apples came from a recipe Crumbs &Crafts published.  Of course I added my flavors and came up with another winning recipe.  I knew exactly where I was going to get my apples and which kind I was going to use.  I decided to use the Crispin Apple.  They are sweet with a slight tang, which is perfect for baking.  Of course, I picked up some pears for eating and baked one of those also to see how it would come out.  The kale was also vibrant and green, used it to make some kale chips, oh that’s another recipe.

As you will see in the picture, the apples and pear are huge.  So, instead of coring and stuffing them I cut them in half which still made a very generous portion.  I love baked apples it is like have apple pie with a lot less guilt (guilt referring to the fat and calories).  I topped the apples with a little homemade vanilla ice cream and I was in heaven.  This is apple season and there is nothing like having this sweet warm treat on a chilled fall day.

Preheat your oven to 350.  You very few ingredients to make a delicious baked apple.  Apples (here I have apples and one pear do you see the size), butter, oats, whole wheat flour, brown sugar, walnuts, vanilla, pumpkin pie spice and ginger.

In a medium size bowl add all of your ingredients.  Can't get any easier than that.

Combine ingredients with a fork, I actually use my fingers.  The mixture should be moist and slightly stick together.

Wash and dry your apples (and pear).  Cut in half and with a teaspoon remove the stems and seeds.

Fill your apples (and pear) with your streusel mixture.

Bake at 350 for approximately 30 minutes depending on the size of your apples.  Apples will be softened and the streusel will have browned.

I topped with my homemade vanilla ice cream.  Yum, yum, yum...  By the way the pear turned out great also.

Ingredients:

5 medium to large apples

1/4 cup softened butter

1/2 cup oats

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 cup walnuts or pecans

Preheat oven to 350.

In a medium size bowl add all of your ingredients.  Combine ingredients with a fork.  The mixture should be moist and slightly stick together.

Wash and dry your apples.  Cut in half and with a teaspoon remove the stems and seeds.  Fill your apples with your streusel mixture.

Bake at 350 for approximately 30 minutes depending on the size of your apples.  Apples will be softened and the streusel will have browned.