Baked apples are so very good and can be served along with baked ham or roasted turkey as part of the meal. They may also be served as a dessert with caramel sauce.

　　

Ingredients

yields 6 apples

　　6 same-size Granny Smith apples

　　1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

　　1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

　　1/2 cup sugar

　　2 tablespoons butter

　　1 cup apple juice

　　6 sprigs fresh mint

　　

Caramel Sauce

8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter

　　1 cup light brown sugar

　　1/4 cup evaporated milk

　　1/2 teaspoon vanilla

　　

Step 1

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Core apples, being sure not to puncture bottom of apples, so the juices will remain. Skin 1/2 inch around top of apples at the opening. Fill each cavity with a mixture of cinnamon, nutmeg, and sugar. Top each apple with a teaspoon of butter. Place apples in casserole dish and pour apple juice around them. Bake for approximately 1 1/2 hours.

　　

Caramel Sauce

Step 2

Melt butter; add brown sugar and evaporated milk in saucepan over medium heat. Cook until bubbly, stirring constantly. Continue to cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Add vanilla. Place apples in individual compote dishes and top each with an ample amount of caramel sauce and a sprig of mint. Serve immediately.

　　Paula Deen's Kitchen Classics