Baked Apples

Like apple pie? Try these instead for a warm, hearty treat that’s much lower in fat and calories.

4 large apples-rome, fuji, gala all work well
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons light maple syrup
2 tablespoons chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts)
2 tablespoons cranberries or raisins
1 teaspoon plus 2/3 cup water
1 teaspoon light margarine (*use a gluten-free brand such as I CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S NOT BUTTER if you are on a gluten-free diet

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Core though the middle of the apples, stopping short of going thorough the bottom (leaving about ½ inch). Place them in a shallow 2 quart baking dish. In a small bowl mix the brown sugar and cinnamon together, whisk in the maple syrup, and the tablespoon water and stir in the nuts and dried fruit. Spoon the mixture into the apples, divide the teaspoon of margarine between the four (putting a dollup on each), add the 2/3 cup water to the bottom of the dish and cover with a lid or aluminum foil. Bake for about 40 minutes or until apples are soft when pierced with a fork or toothpick

Makes 4 baked apples, four servings

Serving size: 1 baked apple
Calories 178 Protein 2 g Carb 40 g Fiber 6 g Sugars 28 g Fat 3 g saturated fat <1 g Sodium 31 mg