Maple Walnut Stuffed Baked Apples

As a kid, my mom would often make baked apples. Theyre quick to prepare and they make a relatively healthy treat: just apples, maple syrup, spices, walnuts, and a bit of butter. If youre a fan of apple pie but you cant stand making pie crust, then this is the recipe for you. This dessert hits the apple pie spot, without the fuss of a crust and peeling and chopping of apples. Kids love making and eating this simple dessert.

In the fall, I like to walk around and forage for wild or abandoned apple trees. There are so many trees along the countryside that just shed their fruit to the ground if no one comes to gather them. Theyre free and best of all, theyre not sprayed with any chemicals. Its a win-win!

You can use most firm and crisp cooking apples for this recipe. If the apple has a soft flesh, be careful not to overbake it because it could lose its shape. Apples such as Pink Lady or Honeycrisp are good choices. But feel free to try any firm cooking apple. I used some harder-to-find apples from a local organic apple grower in my area: a variety called Wealthy and one called Red Baron. They both cooked up beautifully but the softer-fleshed Wealthy fell apart. Red Baron on the other hand held its shape very well.

As with most recipes, this is one you can tailor to suit your tastes. Add more or less spices. Add raisins or cranberries to the walnut mix. Not a fan of walnuts? Use another nut in their place. However you make it, be sure to have fresh whipped cream or vanilla ice cream on hand and top your baked delight with a giant dollop of creamy goodness. Happy October!

Aube is a passionate organic gardener and home cook who likes to share the stories of how food gets to our dinner plates. Her work has been shown on television and at international film festivals. Her web series has been nominated for multiple James Beard Awards for Best Video Webcast (On Location). In 2012, she was the recipient of Saveur Magazine's Best Food Blog award in the video category.