I found out about this popular French dessert while reading the book “French Kids Eat Everything (And Yours Can, Too) – by Karen Le Billon”. It’s a true story about a Canadian mother who moves her young family from Vancouver to her husband’s hometown in northern France for a couple years. It’s an honest depiction of the adjustment that she experiences while being surrounded by the various food rituals that are observed by the French. I absolutely love this book.
It’s light hearted, entertaining, practical and most importantly – inspiring.
The author learns how to enforce these French food rules and rituals in order to foster healthy eating habits and good manners that the French seem to know instinctively.
There are many simple and classic French recipes listed throughout the book – one of them being baked apples. I had never heard of baked apples before reading this book but I really wish I had known about them sooner because it’s now one of my favourite desserts (I even have it as a snack when I am craving something sweet). They are super easy to make, delicious and the apple acts as a perfect individual portion size.
Plus it’s all the flavours of apple pie without the heavy crust (and it’s so easy to make). There are very few desserts that I can think of which are super easy to make, delicious, healthy and present well as an individual portion size. This recipe is a winner in my books.
Baked apples
Adapted from Allrecipes.com
Serves 4
Ingredients:
4 apples
2 Tbsp brown sugar
4 Tbsp butter
2 Tbsp large flaked oats
2 Tbsp coarsely chopped walnuts
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).*
Score the apples by poking them a couple times with a fork or making a shallow cut around the outside.
Scoop out the core of the apple by using an apple corer or melon baller. Leave the bottom intact.
Mix the butter, sugar, cinnamon, oats and walnuts until combined.
Stuff each apple with the walnut and oat mixture.
Place in a shallow baking dish. Pour about 1/2-1 cup of water on the bottom of the dish until just covered.
Bake in preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, until sugar begins to caramelize and apples are tender. Let the apples sit for a couple minutes before serving.
Top with ice cream or crème fraîche, if desired.
*If you would prefer not to use the oven, place the apples in a casserole dish, cover and microwave for 5 to 10 minutes or until tender.
Enjoy!
Have you ever made baked apples? Do you have a version that you would like to share?