Baked Apples

 
   Have you heard the news? Apples are an excellent source of fiber, vitamin C, and rich in antioxidants. They have been shown to lower cholesterol and reduce C-reactive proteins that contribute to heart disease. Even better? They're in season! 
   One of our favorite autumn family activities is walking down the road to our local orchard for apples and a good play session. We also have a few apple trees of our own that we frequent.
Nothing makes the house smell more fall-ish than a delicious baked apple. Here's our no-fail baked apple recipe.
Baked Apple
Ingredients:
1 Apple
1/2 T sweetener of choice (ie; organic brown Sugar, maple syrup, honey, molasses)
1/2 T Organic Butter
1/4t Cinnamon
1/4 C Apple Juice (Optional)* 
Directions:
1) Cut off some of the apple top (to keep from exploding) and bottom
(so it stands up straight) 
2) Use butter knife or peeler to "core" apple from top, creating a nice
pit to hold butter and sugar while it bakes. Be careful to stop 1/2"
from bottom of apple. 
3) Melt butter in microwave 
4) add sweetener to butter and stir
5) Fill apple core w/butter and sugar mix
6) Generously sprinkle Cinnamon over apple
7) (Optional) Pour a little apple juice into bottom of casserole dish*
8) Add apples to casserole dish and bake @325, ~45 minutes until skin is
falling off and soft all the way through
9) Stand next to oven in eager anticipation as smell fills entire house

*Step 7 I've done just once, it's amazing no matter what so don't go out
of your way to purchase apple juice. 
* Also important to note that the Environmental Working Group has tested and determined that apples are the dirtiest (most pesticide laden) of all fruits and vegetables, so when possible purchase organic.