Baked Apples

Baked apples are the easiest Autumn dessert to make. Your microwave makes this old fashioned recipe into a fat-free dessert that's so easy to prepare.

Make sure you have fresh baking apples to use for this recipe.

In New York State we have many different varieties of apples available almost all year long. Here are some varieties that I suggest.

Jonagold- a great fried apple. Simply saute' in a little butter and add a little cinnamon. No sugar needed!

Crispin - an excellent variety for roasting whole or thick slices. Very juicy and super crisp. Wonderful accompaniment for your favorite roast.

Cortland - a great baking apple. Also can be used in a fruit plate because this variety does not turn brown quickly when cut!

Rome - this old apple variety (1816) is a superb cooking apple because it retains its shape beautifully as well as its tart flavor. Great with pork chops.

Preparation time: 20 minutes

4 baking apples, cored
4 Tb. maple syrup
1/2 cup apple cider
ground cinnamon
chopped nuts (optional)

Peel 1 inch around tops of apples. Place apples in microwave-safe casserole dish. Pour cider around apples. Fill each apple with 1 Tb. syrup and dust lightly with cinnamon. Cover and microwave on HIGH for 10 minutes or until fork tender.

makes 4 servings
1 medium apple 80 calories

Enjoy!
~Nicole

HONEY APPLE CAKE

I found this recipe in an old Apple Recipe book I found upstate NY. When I serve it I cut the pan up into single serving size squares and put on a serving tray and dust with powdered sugar. The optional topping is yet another way to enjoy this dessert, if you like EXTRA sweetness!


Ingredients...
3 EGGS, beaten
2 cups SUGAR
1 cup VEGETABLE OIL
1/4 cup HONEY
1 tsp. VANILLA

3 cups SIFTED FLOUR
1/2 tsp. BAKING SODA
1 tsp. BAKING POWDER
1 tsp. SALT
1 tsp. CINNAMON
1/4 tsp. NUTMEG
1 cup CHOPPED NUTS
3 cups CHOPPED APPLES

Preheat oven to 350F degrees.

In a large bowl bet together the first five ingredients. In another bowl sift together the dry ingredients and stir into liquid mixture. Beat well. Fold in nuts and apples. Lightly grease a 9 X 13 X 2-inch pan. Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Bake 45 minutes.

Optional Topping...
1 stick BUTTER (1/2 cup)
1 cup LIGHT BROWN SUGAR
1/4 cup MILK
1/4 cup HONEY

Combine ingredients in a heavy-bottom sauce pan. Boil 2 1/2 minutes. Pour over cake while still hot. Sift powdered sugar on top. Serve with Vanilla Ice Cream or Fresh Whipped Cream. Enjoy warm!

Submitted by Nicole

PEACH COBBLER

This is a fantastic version of Peach Cobbler. Do yourself a favor and only use fresh peaches, not canned in juice. The most important thing about this recipe is not to overmix. This will cause the cobbler part to become doughy. Less is more! The kitchen will smell soooo good when this is in the oven, enjoy!

Ingredients...

1/4 cup + 2 Tb. Butter

2 cups Sugar

3/4 cup Flour

2 tsp. Baking Powder

Dash of Salt

1 tsp. Nutmeg

2 tsp. Cinnamon

3/4 cup Milk

2 cups Sliced Peaches, about 9 medium fresh Peaches.

Preheat oven to 350.

Melt BUTTER in 2 Qt. dish and set aside. Combine 1 cup SUGAR, FLOUR, BAKING POWDER, AND SALT. Add MILK and BE CAREFUL NOT TO OVER MIX - STIR GENTLY ONLY UNTIL INCORPORATED! Pour batter over BUTTER in baking dish. DO NOT STIR. Combine PEACHES, CINNAMON, NUTMEG and 1 cup REMAINING SUGAR. Spoon over batter and DO NOT STIR! Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

You will love this recipe! By using fresh peaches you will achieve the perfect dessert. I like to serve it with VANILLA ICE CREAM or HOMEMADE WHIPPED CREAM. Sprinkle a little bit of nutmeg over your topping and ENJOY!

submitted by Nicole