Baked Apple Spice

This wonderfully warm, sweet, decadent, yet healthy dessert recipe has just the right amount of zing. The rich, smooth, sugary taste of the maple syrup is accented beautifully by the spice blend made up of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. It’s a delicious exemplification of the perfect marriage between sweet and spice! Enjoy.

Serves 6

• 6 large Cortland apples, washed and cored
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 6 tablespoons maple syrup
• 6 tablespoons coconut butter, softened and divided
• 3/4 cup water

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Peel the skin of the apples down about 1″ from the top. Level the bottoms and arrange them in a baking dish.
2. Combine cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves in a small bowl.
3. Fill the cavity of each apple with 1 tablespoon of the maple syrup, 1 tablespoon of the coconut butter, and a dash of the spice mixture.
4. Fill the baking dish with water and bake, basting often, for 45–50 minutes, or until the apples have reached desired tenderness.

Fire Dessert for Breakfast!

This astounding apple recipe works well for breakfast too, and it is sure to have you jumping out of bed in the morning! Add a serving of coconut or almond yogurt for some protein and a sprinkling of almond slivers or chopped pecans for an added heart-healthy crunch, and voilà! Now you’ve got a complete breakfast packed with fiber, vitamin C, omega-3s, calcium, complex carbohydrates, and a whole lot of fabulous flavor.