Oatmeal Spiced Baked Apples

I've developed a new found respect for apples. My kindergarten friends and I used to have "apple wars" thanks to my friend's tree that provided copious amounts of the fruit. The game involved trying to be the first one to the treehouse while chucking apples at each other's butts, crushing their dreams of apple treehouse mastery. Why we came up with the demented idea to pulverize each other with apples is a mystery-- kindergarten is all about sharing and the Golden Rule. Oh, and telling your classmate he can draw a picture of a John Deere tractor on his desk and totally not get in trouble.

Sorry, Phillip. 

I now eat apples regularly rather than use them as weaponry. They're delicious plain, dipped in caramel, or swirled in good ol' peanut butter. But baked. Now we're talking.

I knew I had to post this recipe after my roommate, Molly, took one bite and said, "Where's your camera?! Take a picture! PUT IT ON YOUR BLOG." The wise one had spoken.

Baked apples are great as a dessert and can even be eaten for breakfast. I'm known for eating ice cream with vigor in the dead of winter, but these warm apples have inched their way up into being one of my favorite desserts-- just in time for the chilly weather. And trust me, you won't want to toss these at anyone attempting to invade your treehouse.

Oatmeal Spiced Baked Apples    serves: 2
2 apples
2 T brown sugar
2 T oatmeal (I used old-fashioned oats)
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon allspice
1/2 T butter, divided in two
1/2 cup hot water

1.) Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2.) Remove the apple core, cutting to within a half inch of the bottom of the apple. The idea is to make a well inside the apple about an inch wide
3.) Mix the brown sugar, oatmeal, cinnamon, allspice, and any optional extras (like raisins or nuts) into a bowl. Divide mixture between the two apples and pack into the wells.
4.) Place apples in a baking dish and top each with 1/4 T butter. Pour the hot water into the bottom of the dish and cover loosely with aluminum foil.
5.) Bake for 20 minutes, then remove foil. Bake uncovered for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the apple skin is soft and can be pierced easily with a fork.