Spiced Baked Apples with Mānuka Honey

Ingredients:

• 4 large apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)

• 4 tablespoons Mānuka honey

• 1/2 cup chopped nuts (such as walnuts or pecans)

• 1/4 cup raisins or dried cranberries

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

• 1/4 cup apple juice or water

• Optional: Greek yogurt or vanilla ice cream for serving

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven:

   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Prepare the Apples:

   • Core the apples, leaving the bottoms intact to create a well for the filling.

   • Place the apples in a baking dish.

3. Make the Filling:

   • In a bowl, combine the chopped nuts, raisins or dried cranberries, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground cloves.

   • Drizzle in 2 tablespoons of Manuka honey and mix well.

4. Stuff the Apples:

   • Spoon the filling into the hollowed-out centres of the apples, packing it tightly.

5. Add Liquid:

   • Pour the apple juice or water into the baking dish to help steam the apples while they bake.

6. Bake the Apples:

   • Drizzle the remaining 2 tablespoons of Mānuka honey over the tops of the apples.

   • Cover the baking dish with aluminium foil and bake for 30 minutes.

   • Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, until the apples are tender and the filling is bubbling.

7. Serve:

   • Serve the baked apples warm, optionally topped with a dollop of Greek yogurt or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Benefits:

• Manuka Honey: Provides natural sweetness and has antibacterial properties.

• Apples: A good source of fiber and vitamins, especially vitamin C.

• Nuts and Dried Fruits: Add healthy fats, protein, and additional vitamins and minerals.

• Spices: Cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves add warmth and flavour, and have antioxidant properties.

These Spiced Mānuka Honey Baked Apples make a perfect winter dessert or snack, combining the warmth of spices with the natural sweetness of Mßnuka honey. Enjoy!