Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 1 1/2 hr

　　

Ingredients

Makes 8 servings

　　3 tablespoons cider vinegar

　　1 cup apple juice

　　3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces

　　1/2 cup sugar

　　8 Gala or Golden Delicious apples

　　3 tablespoons brandy

　　1/2 cup cr
me fraîche

　　

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350°F.

　　

Step 2

Combine vinegar, juice, butter, and sugar in a 13- by 9-inch glass baking dish. Cut off top 3/4 inch of apples to make lids. Scoop out cores with a melon-ball cutter and replace lids. Put apples in baking dish and cover with foil. Bake in middle of oven until very tender but still intact, 1 to 1 1/4 hours.

　　

Step 3

Transfer apples to plates and boil pan juices with brandy in a saucepan until reduced to about 1 cup. Fill apples with crme fraîche and serve with sauce.