How To Make Baked Apples

Step 1: You will need

Step 2: Preheat the oven

Set the oven to 160ºC (315ºF/ gas mark 2.5).

Step 3: Make the syrup

Slice down the length of the vanilla bean, open it up and scrape out the pulp onto the knife point. Place both the pod and pulp into the saucepan. Pour over the apple cider, sherry and the 4 tbsp of brown sugar, place the pan onto a medium-high heat and bring it to the boil, stirring occasionally. Leave to boil until it reduces by a third which will roughly take 7 minutes. When reduced remove from the heat.

Step 4: Make the filling

Put the butter, walnuts, almonds, raisins, 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, bread crumbs and cinnamon into a bowl. Mix together well.

Step 5: Prepare the apples

Place the apples onto the chopping board. Using the large knife, remove a tiny slice from the bottom of each apple to help them stand upright. Continue by slicing off the top of the apples and with the melon ball maker, core the centre of each apple, making a hole about 4cm deep and roughly 2cm across.

Step 6: Fill the apples

Using a teaspoon, stuff each of the apples with the filling.

Step 7: Transfer to baking dish

Place the apples into the baking dish, spoon some syrup over each one and pour the rest into the dish.

Step 8: Bake

Place the baking dish in the centre of the oven and bake for 40-45 minutes. About halfway through the cooking period, baste the apples. Carefully tilt the dish towards you and spoon some syrup over each one and leave to cook for the remaining time. Remove when baked.

Step 9: Serve the baked apples

Serve hot, straight from the oven dish along with the syrup. Add a dollop of fresh cream or ice cream if you want but be aware that the syrup is rich enough on its own!