Baked Honey-Date Apples (Microwave or Oven)

WOW these are yummy!

I found this recipe in our local newspaper.  The 'title' of the article read...

"A baked stuffed apple that is healthy, fast, festive, and tasty!

HOW COULD ANYONE RESIST??? 

I get very excited about yummy apple recipes this time of year!!

I changed up the method of making them, as the recipe called for coring an apple, then scooping out more of the apple from the middle to fill with the yummy filling.

I decided to cut the apples in half and core them. So since the original recipe called for 6 apples, I only used 5. 

I also used the microwave instead of the oven for a quick treat. 

I do love eating baked apples while they're still warm. 

If you like the looks of a whole apple, by all means, core it, leaving the bottom in tact, and then scrape out some of the apple in the middle to make room for filling. 

This filling is fabulous!  And sticky too - so you can pack it in. 

A wonderful way to enjoy some tasty apples this beautiful fall season!

BAKED HONEY-DATE APPLES

5 baking apples, such as Fuji or Gala

(Galas are my favorite apples and I had just found a 3# bag on sale!!)

1/2 c. pecans (or walnuts), toasted and chopped** see TIP below

3/4 c. chopped dates

zest of 1 orange

(this made the filling sooo tasty, but it can be omitted)

2 Tb. honey 

(I used agave nectar)

1 Tb. chopped fresh mint, optional 

1 Tb. water

Preheat the oven to 350*...(unless you are going to microwave them.)

Lightly spray 10" X 8" (or whatever size works best for your size of apples) baking pan, with cooking spray. 

Slice apples in half; core, then remove a little more apple. (A melon baller works nicely). 

In medium bowl, combine nuts, dates, orange zest, honey and mint.  With a spoon, mixture together until combined. 

Spoon some of the mixture into the cavity of each apple, packing it in the center.  Add water to the dish before cooking...it will help steam them nicely and make a little 'juice' to spoon over the apples. 

Bake in preheated oven for about 25 minutes.  But it will depend on how large your apples are, and what kind they are too.  You may have to bake larger ones a while longer.  Test apple with tip of a sharp knife; when apples are tender, they're done. 

I microwaved them on high for just about 10 minutes - with the cover of the pan sitting cockeyed (I don't know what else to call it...just leave openings around the corners of the pan...or cover - not completely - with a sheet of waxed paper). 

They are really really good!  I hope you enjoy them as much as we did.

TIP: to toast nuts, I place them in a microwavable bowl and zap for 45 seconds, stir, then for another 45 seconds.  After the 3rd 45 second interval and when you smell the fragrance of the nuts, you'll know they're toasted. 

Linked to
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