ResHall Recipe: a simple apple pie taste without the apple pie hassle

By FINNLEY GOFF

Baked apples are one of the cheapest yet yummiest desserts out there. Imagine an apple pie but without the added hassle of making the piecrust. In Virginia during autumn, there is no shortage of locally-grown fresh apples, and even in the off-season, grocery stores tend to remain well-stocked. This is a recipe to enjoy with friends or just yourself. Making baked apples is incredibly easy. Happy cooking!

You will need:

·       4 good-sized baking apples (I always use Granny Smith but Gala or Honey crisp can work)

·       ½ stick of butter (4 tablespoons) of butter, softened

·       ½ cup brown sugar

·       ¼ cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)

·       ¾ teaspoon cinnamon

·       1 pinch nutmeg

·       1 2-quart baking dish

Directions:

1.     Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

2.     Gently wash apples of choice before coring them; make sure to leave some of the bottom core (near the base) in order to hold the filling in the apple.

3.     Put softened butter, brown sugar, chopped nuts, cinnamon and nutmeg into a small bowl. Stir to combine before rolling into logs. Press these logs into each apple, filling their cores.

4.     Fill baking dish with enough water to cover the bottom, around ¾ cup. Take apples and put them into the dish right-side up.

5.     Bake apples in oven for around one hour or until they are soft and the filling has browned; if using Granny Smith apples, they will appear golden in color.