baked apples filled with fruits and nuts {ffwd}
We’ve been on dessert overload at home. There was the Chocolate Chip Cake I made for New Year’s Eve, which lasted through the weekend. Then, there was an apple crisp to help combat the frigid temperatures early in the week. We now have a Meyer Lemon Tart in the refrigerator to celebrate Howard’s birthday.
Because I didn’t plan ahead, there wasn’t really room in the lineup for this week’s recipe for French Fridays with Dorie: baked apples filled with fruits and nuts. On top of that, baked apples isn’t something Howard eats. Fortunately, it was easy enough to make a one apple version just for me.
After the indulgences of past six weeks or so of the holiday season, a baked apple is a relatively virtuous dessert. I think the recipe’s name in French sounds much more special: pommes au four (apples in the oven). And, it was so simple to make.
You core the apple (melon baller works best, thanks, Diane). Then you peel the top half and score the boundary between peeled and not peeled so it doesn’t explode. The filling can be any combination of your favorite dried fruits and nuts bound together with some honey and a dash of warm spice. I used apricots, prune, golden raisins and cherries for fruit, walnuts and pistachios for nuts, and ginger for spice.
I even used a spoonful of my own honey from the 2012 harvest.
To stuff, a dab of butter goes in the core followed by as much filling as will fit, then another dab of butter on top. The apple bakes in a small amount of apple cider, some more butter, and the apple peelings. This liquid is used to baste the apple while it’s baking.
I ended up eating my lone apple cold for breakfast (see wide array of desserts above) topped with warmed juices. I can’t remember ever making or eating baked apples before, though the taste reminded me of so many apple desserts I’ve had. I liked it, but I’m not sure I’d bother making it just for myself again. So, this might be a one-hit wonder.
I don’t have much else to say today. I hope you are staying warm where you and that the weather is treating you gently. Happy Friday!
You can find the recipe on-line here. As always, the recipe is also in the most-used recipe on my shelf, Dorie Greenspan’s book Around My French Table. To see the combinations my Dorista friends used, check out their links here..
Posted on 10 January 2014, in apples, Baking, French Fridays with Dorie and tagged apples, desserts, French Fridays with Dorie. Bookmark the permalink. 23 Comments.
A Plateful of Happiness 
I definitely wouldn’t make this just for myself but a whole plate of them makes for a nice- smelling kitchen on Sunday afternoon and a week of quick easy breakfasts. Especially when you follow the recipe, right? ;)
I, too, used a melon baller!
Hmm, I think I would have preferred one of those other desserts instead of this week’s apples. Especially that lemon tart. Yum!
This sounds absolutely delicious! I will definitely try it! Thanks!
How wonderful having your own honey from your own bees. Beautiful job. Have a great weekend.
Ahhh, I love seeing your honey, Betsy! Your apple looks luscious! It would be my choice anytime for dessert…I love baked apples! Bill and I both enjoyed this one! Have a great weekend and stay warm!!
I hear you about dessert over load and my daughter is making a peppermint patty chocolate cake for my husband’s birthday this weekend… god help me. Glad the melon baller helped make it easier… not a bad dessert. I put a half of one in my oatmeal the next morning.
Awww, you used Betsy’s bees honey :-)
These didn’t last long enough in our house to try them out cold – I wonder how they would warm back up?
I am SO glad I’m not the only one dealing with a picky husband. I can’t remember if Howard will eat mussels…but I’ve already decided that recipe will be cut way down. Glad this one was easily adapted for one :) Happy weekend, Betsy!
I told Gary about your bee keeping and honey and he is very jealous. We attempted bee keeping a few years ago with NO success. As soon as we can be home with them for a while we are going to do it again. We both loved these apples as did Gary’s mother, who is here for another week. I’m craving your Meyer Lemon Tart! Hope you have a nice weekend Betsy.
glad you enjoyed your baked apple. I guess they make good dessert-breakfast.
I love that you used your own honey for this recipe – so cool! I can see why you opted to have this for breakfast. It sounds like your house is full of delicious dessert options. I might have to check back for your lemon tart recipe before Kevin’s birthday next month, as he’s been asking for a lemon dessert or pie.
I am glad Jim likes baked apples because one was enough for me. I am not a big fan of dried fruit although this combination with the honey did taste good. How wonderful to have your own honey to use in recipes, it must be delicious. Have a wonderful weekend.
Wow Betsy- you single little apple looks amazing ! Seriously, you seem to have the most juice and the most moist looking apple I have seen. And LOVE that you were able to use your own honey. That is pretty darn fab. Yes, I should be desserted out as well but you had me at Meyer lemon tart……..
You’ve been doing so many races in the crazy cold weather, so I hope you enjoyed all of those holiday desserts without guilt. Your apple is definitely the softest looking of the bunch.
Your own honey??! Wow. I’m impressed — what a special thing!
Your apple looks great! I was nice to have a semi healthy recipe after the holiday indulgence. :)
What a delicious way to start your morning. I too am jealous of your bee keeping. How wonderful.
I like the sound of ginger spice – I just used cinnamon. I probably wouldn’t bother with this again either.
Wow, your own honey! I am so impressed. I love your label, very pretty. I’m not surprised that the apple couldn’t compete with all of the amazing-sounding desserts that you’ve been making recently.
I don’t like it when you don’t have a lot to say. Actually, you did. Your rundown of desserts made me hungry. I just don’t keep dessert in the house. Maybe I need to make another New Year’s Resolution about desserts. (I only made one resolution.) Your jar of honey made me sad. I wish that you could have been more successful with that project. Raising bees is “twicky” as Clara says. Your apple looks as delicious as mine looked. I enjoyed mine morning, noon and night. I think my favorite time was using it on my oatmeal. Me thinks you probably won’t make it again but, if you do, give the oatmeal a try.
Since my husband wasn’t a big fan I doubt I will make this again either. I’m feeling the same about dessert overload!
You have your own Honey? Wow! These are virtuous little desserts. I’m intrigued with your lemon tart – big lemon fan over here.