Kid-Friendly Nutty Baked Apples

By Chef Meg Galvin, Healthy Cooking Expert at SparkPeople.com


What a sweet warm treat for a cold afternoon! This dish is like having a piece of apple pie but without the large amount of fat and carbs from the dough. The oats inside will trick your mind into thinking that you did just eat pie! This recipe is kid-friendly, too. Have your little ones help you stuff the apples after you core them.

Minutes to Prepare: 5
Minutes to Cook: 30
Number of Servings: 4

Ingredients

4 small tart apples, such as Granny Smith, washed and cored


Filling:
1 tablespoon Smart Balance butter blend, softened
1 tablespoon pecans, toasted and chopped
2 tablespoons raisins
1 tablespoon old-fashioned oats
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the apples in a baking dish.

Combine raisins in a small bowl with 1 tablespoon of warm water and allow to rest for 10 minutes. (This is an important step! If you skip this step, the raisins will burn in the oven.)

Combine all ingredients for the filling in a bowl. Divide the filling evenly among the apples.

Pour 1/2 cup water into the bottom of the baking dish. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly before eating.

Makes 4 servings

Related links:
Tasty Apple Tarts
Which Apple Treat is a Rotten Choice for Your Waistline?
8 Healthy Apple Dessert Recipes for Fall