Cinnamon Spice Baked Apples with Cranberries, Maple Syrup & Walnuts

Now that we've turned back the clocks and the evenings are getting darker and colder, I'm shifting into hiberation mode. By that I mean live-in-a-bathrobe-and-avoid-leaving-the-house-at-all-costs-mode. Since I plan on spending all this time at home, I wanted something to make my place feel a little more... well homey. While scented candles are great, nothing quite does the job like the smell of real spiced apples baking in the oven.

This version of baked apples combines some of my favorite fall flavors: cinnamon, nutmeg, cranberries and maple syrup. The crunchy streusel topping and chewy cranberries add some texture to the soft, warm apple. As the recipe does not contain any processed sugar or gluten, this is one comfort food you can feel good about eating. Best of all, this healthy treat will only cost you about 15 minutes in the kitchen. After that, you can curl back up on the couch with a blanket and cup of tea while your oven does all the work.

 

Between the apple, oats and nuts, these make a  phenomenal breakfast treat or special snack, but they can also easily pass as a dessert with or without a little dollop of whipped cream. Even with the butter, these suckers are a relatively low-calorie as the apple itself is only about 90 calories. Unlike most processed, store-bought sweets, they are made with whole foods and contain some potassium, fiber, protein and omega-3s. 

Cinnamon Spice Baked Apples with Cranberries, Maple Syrup & Walnuts

Serves 4

Prep time: 15 min.

Baking time: 20-30 mins.

Ingredients:

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4 medium Honeycrisp apples or other good baking apple
1/3 cup rolled oats

1/4 cup walnuts, roughly chopped
2 T. dried cranberries, roughly chopped

1 T. ground almonds (optional)
1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Sprinkle of ground nutmeg

Big pinch of salt
2-3 T. butter, melted 
2 T. maple syrup
1/2 cup hot water or apple juice

Directions:

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1. Preheat oven to 350F/175C.
2. In a medium bowl, mix oats, walnuts, ground almonds, spices and salt.
3. Pour in melted butter and maple syrup and mix until combined. Set aside.

4. With an apple corer or paring knife, core the apples, making sure not to puncture the bottom so filling and juices say in. Slice a small amount off the top to make it flat.
5. Fill apples with mixture and pack down in a mound on the top. Place filled apples in small baking dish.
6. Pour hot water into bottom of baking dish and bake for 20-30 minutes or until apples can be easily pierced with a toothpick.

Serve warm with whipped cream for dessert or as is for breakfast or a snack.