Baked Apples with Candied Ginger Sauce

This is a wonderful, warm dessert perfect for the holiday season. It is minimal hands-on time and makes a very lovely presentation.

Ingredients:

4 medium to large apples, washed and sliced (I use Gala)

1/3 cup homemade candied ginger, chopped (see comments)

2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract (try this if you are gluten-free)

1/2 cup coconut crystals

2 tbsp. honey

2 tbsp. organic butter from grass-fed cows (like Organic Valley Pasture Butter or Kerrygold)

Zest from one lemon

1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts and/or raisins, sprinkled on top (optional)

How To:

1. Prep: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine the coconut crystals, honey, and vanilla in a small bowl. Let stand. In the meantime, slice your apples in 1/2 thick slices. Arrange in a 9x11 baking dish that has been lightly greased (with a small amount of butter or ghee, preferably).

2. Arrange: Sprinkle with the cinnamon and scoop the honey mixture on top (in clumps, don't worry you'll be stirring a couple of times while this cooks). Sprinkle the lemon zest on top. Chop the butter into rough chunks and arrange on top as well. If using nuts, add on top.

3. Bake: Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the thickness of your apple slices--you want the apples tender. Stir a couple of times while cooking. When serving, drizzle excess juices on top (the sauce will thicken a little as it cools).

Comments: Delicious! Not only is this delicious, but it has some really fantastic ingredients-- apples, cinnamon, and ginger not to mention the benefits of organic butter from grass fed cows. This is a really great dessert and very simple to make. ***By the way, if you don't have homemade candied ginger (and who really does??) you can use grated fresh ginger. This recipe serves quite a lot-- about 4 to 6 people.

 

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This post was part of Iron Chef Mom Apples, Just Another Meatless Monday, Real Food Wednesday, and Melt In Your Mouth Monday.