Cozy Balsamic Baked Apples

Fall is here, so is your favorite fruit! Fragrant, tart & naturally sweet apples. Drizzle with luscious balsamic vinegar, top with crunchy nuts. Enjoy @ dessert or after lunch treat.

5 servings.

Simple Ingredients

· 4 tablespoons Villa Graziella Argento-Silver Balsamic Vinegar.

· 3 tablespoons Villa Graziella Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

· 5 large baking apples-Honeycrisp, Fuji, Jonagold or pink lady. If possible organic.

· ½ cup chopped nuts-almonds, pecans, pistachios, or walnuts.

· ½ cup dried fruit-cherries, cranberries, or raisins.

· ¼ cup brown sugar.

· 1 teaspoon cinnamon.

· ½ teaspoon flakey sea salt.

· Pinch of grated nutmeg

Easy Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375˚F.

2. Stir the brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, chopped nuts, dried fruit & nutmeg in a medium bowl. Then add the balsamic vinegar, followed by the olive oil, stir until fully combined. Set aside so ingredients & flavors blend.

3. Wash, dry & core the apples with a paring knife. Leave ½ inch of the core at the apple’s base to hold the filling. Remove the seeds with a small spoon.

4. Place the apples upright in a baking dish.

5. Spoon the fruit & nut mixture into each apple core, pressing firmly filling each one, garnish each apple with sea salt.

6. Pour ¾ cup of hot water into the baking dish from the side to cover the bottom.

7. Bake apples until soft, and the filling is brown. Depending on the oven, about 45-60 minutes. Avoid mushy apples, do not over bake & test with a fork that slides through easily.

8. Remove apples from the oven & baste with the balsamic sauce at the bottom of the pan.

9. Plate the apples, top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of sweetened Greek yogurt or a bit of whipped cream.

10.Serve & enjoy!

Helpful Hints

· Honeycrisp, Fuji, Jonagold and Pink Lady apples have firm textures that hold up well to heat, with balanced sweet & tart flavors.

· Cover & refrigerate up to 3 days. Bring to room temperature or re-heat & serve.

· Whole apples do not freeze well. Peel and chop remaining baked apples, freeze and add to cooked fruit within 2 months.

To download this recipe, click here

Tried, Tasted & True

We try & taste every recipe we feature. We enjoy sharing recipes, from our families, home cooks or chefs. We sometimes adjust them and want you to have a healthy & delicious experience. So, try them, tweak them, and please tell us about it! Take a photo and tag us on Facebook and Instagram @villagraziellaorganic.

We love seeing your creations and welcome your feedback.