Hasselback Baked Apples

Ingredients

• 3 medium apples
• 1 Tbsp coconut sugar or rapadura sugar
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans
• 2 Tbsp sultanas
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/3 cup water
• 1 Tbsp macadamia oil or melted butter

Utensils

• 2 wooden chopsticks

Method

• Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Cut apples in half through the stem and scoop out core.
• Combine sugar, pecans, sultanas, and cinnamon in a small dish and set aside.
• Place one apple half, cut-side down, on a chopping board. Position one chopstick on the board above the apple, and another below. Carefully cut apple into 1/2 cm slices – your knife will hit the chopsticks and stop you from slicing all the way through. Repeat with remaining halves.
• Arrange sliced apple halves in a baking dish. Add water to base of pan. Sprinkle over nut mixture and drizzle with oil or butter.
• Cover dish tightly with foil and bake 30 minutes. Uncover, baste apples with pan juices, and bake a further 10 minutes until tender and golden.
• Serve hot or at room temperature. The apples are delicious on their own, but make a perfect accompaniment for yoghurt, ice cream, porridge, or even roast dinner.

Tips

• You can use a mix of apples but some varieties (such as Fuji, Pink Lady and Jazz) hold their shape better as they cook.

Recipes and images by Jennifer Jenner, for Aussie Apples