Keep the Doctor Away

I didn’t think we’d ever do it, but somehow we managed to make it to the bottom of the basket of apples that we toted home from our trip to the apple orchard back in September.
Apples are a delicious and nutritious snack option for kids and adults. They are high in anti-oxidants and fibre and they also help reduce tooth decay. Apples are a great snack on their own—whole, sliced or served with dip. Or, for those who love to bake, serve them in a crisp or bake them in muffins.

Another one of the easiest ways to serve apples is baked. As a child, baked apples were one of my favourite snacks. Simple and delicious. My kids love them just as much as I do.

The next time your kids ask for a snack, point them to the bowl of apples. Baked apples—a perfect after-school snack, but elegant enough to serve for dessert at a dinner party.

Baked Apples

Serves 4 to 6

You’ll Need

½ cup water
4–6 small, firm, tart apples (Mac, Granny Smith, Cortland)
¾ cup quick-cooking oats
½ cup brown sugar
¼ cup chopped walnuts/almonds, toasted
¼ cup raisins/cranberries
½ tsp ground nutmeg
¼ tsp ground cinnamon
2 Tbsp cold butter, cut into small pieces

Prep and Cook

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Core apples through the top, removing core and seeds, stopping before you get to the bottom.
Make a horizontal slice through the peel of each apple, so the apples don’t burst.
Pour water into the bottom of a shallow baking dish and sit apples upright in the bottom.
In a small mixing bowl, combine oats, sugar, nuts, raisins, nutmeg and cinnamon.
Divide and spoon the mixture into the apple centres and top with butter.
Cover the apples tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
Uncover, baste with any drippings from the pan and continue baking uncovered for another 10 minutes (or until brown and soft).
Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.
Serve warm with a drizzle of syrup from the pan.