Baked Apples

 Ingredients: For 3 servings: 3 large apples, raisins, chopped nuts, diced dates, orange peel, cinnamon, 50 g sugar, 80 ml water, 1 tablespoon butter, vanilla essence.

Stuffed apples are a classic dessert, full of flavors and tastes, perfect for serving at both festive meals and on ordinary days when we want to indulge in something special. We start by choosing the right apples; the best are sweet-tart apples, such as Granny Smith or Golden Delicious, which hold up well during baking and have a pleasant texture.

So, to prepare this delicious dessert, the first step is to wash the apples well under a stream of cold water, then hollow out the insides using a teaspoon or a special coring knife, being careful not to reach the bottom, to prevent the filling from leaking out. After hollowing out the apples, we cut off the top, forming a lid that will help keep the filling inside during baking.

Next, we take care of the flavored syrup. In a saucepan, we bring water, sugar, vanilla essence, a few cubes of butter, and a pinch of cinnamon to a boil. We stir constantly until the sugar completely dissolves and the mixture begins to simmer gently. We let the syrup boil for 5-7 minutes, so it thickens a bit and develops an intense flavor.

Now we turn our attention to the delicious filling. This will be made from a combination of dried fruits, such as raisins, apricots, or prunes, finely chopped, cinnamon, and grated orange peel. We mix the ingredients well to achieve a uniform mixture, full of flavors.

Each hollowed apple is filled with the dried fruit mixture, then we pour two tablespoons of the previously prepared syrup over each apple to enrich their flavor. The remaining syrup is kept to be added later in the dish.

We place the stuffed apples in a Jena dish, making sure to position them with the lid side up. The remaining syrup is poured around the apples to provide moisture during baking. We cover the apples with the cut lids and place them in a preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius. We bake the apples for 30-40 minutes, or until they become soft and slightly caramelized, with a golden color.

Finally, we remove the dish from the oven and let the apples cool slightly before serving. These stuffed apples with dried fruits are excellent both warm and cold, and can be accompanied by a spoonful of sour cream or vanilla ice cream for an extra touch of flavor. Enjoy this simple yet refined delight that will please the taste buds of the whole family!

 Tags:  unt sugar fruits apples oranges gluten-free recipes vegetarian recipes