Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes: Baked Stuffed Apples

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<em>Serves 6</em>
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Dried figs and cinnamon add exotic flavor to this cold-weather dessert.</p>
<p>• 6 baking apples, such as Granny Smith, Braeburn or Rome Beauty<br />
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice<br />
• 1/4 cup melted butter<br />
• 1/3 cup honey<br />
• 3/4 cup chopped walnuts<br />
• 1/2 cup uncooked regular oats<br />
• 1/4 cup diced dried figs (about 4 to 5 dried figs)<br />
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon<br />
• 1 tablespoon butter<br />
• 1/2 cup apple juice or water<br />
• Ground cinnamon, cinnamon sticks, sweetened whipped cream and fresh lemon balm sprigs, for garnish</p>
<p>1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.<br />
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2. Cut a thin slice from bottom of each apple, forming a flat surface. Cut 1/4 to ½ inch off the top of each apple. Core apples, starting at stem end, without cutting through opposite end. Scoop out pulp to remove remaining core and to create a cavity for stuffing. Brush exposed flesh of apple with lemon juice.<br />
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3. Combine melted butter and honey in a medium bowl. Stir in walnuts, oats, figs and cinnamon; stuff each apple cavity with the mixture. Place apples in a baking dish. Top each apple with a thin slice of butter; pour apple juice around apples. Cover pan tightly with aluminum foil.<br />
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4. Bake 30 to 40 minutes or until apples are tender when pierced with a fork. Remove foil and continue to bake 10 to 20 minutes or until apples are soft. Garnish as desired with cinnamon, cinnamon sticks, whipped cream and/or fresh lemon balm.  </p>
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<em>Frequent contributor Kris Wetherbee writes and gardens in the hills of western Oregon.</em>
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<p>Click here for the main article, <a href=”https://www.motherearthliving.com/cooking-methods/thanksgiving-recipes.aspx”>
<strong>10 Thanksgiving Day Recipes</strong>
</a>.</p>