The Lush Chef

Libations used: 1/3 cup bourbon...
Libations left over: None, but make this Spicy Cider Mill Cocktail while you're waiting for those apples to bake...
Still working your way through that crate of apples you picked earlier at the orchard?  I absolutely love this recipe from How Sweet Eats for Bourbon Baked Apples, as it combines a simple baked apple with a brown sugar and oat crumble mixture.  It's like a more apple-y version of apple crisp!  The bourbon and apple cider placed in the baking dish help steam the apple, and when the crumble mixture kind of oozes down, it creates this yummy caramel-like mixture to drizzle on top.  Use Honeycrisp, Braeburn, Fuji or Gravenstein apples, as they'll remain tart and on the crisp side without falling apart and getting all mealy.  You can either use a baking dish or a schnitzer, which is a funky, little Swiss cast iron baking dish, just for apples.  It's an easy dessert to whip up for dinner parties or the holidays.  The prep time is pretty minimal, and you can toss these in the oven to bake while you're eating dinner.  They'll be perfectly hot and ready for your guests.  Be sure to douse them in plenty of vanilla ice cream too!

Bourbon Baked Apples - serves 6
Ingredients:

• 6 large apples - either Honeycrisp, Braeburn, Fuji or Gravenstein
• 2/3 cup oats
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
• 2/3 cup loosely packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup softened, unsalted butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup apple cider
• 1/3 cup bourbon (I used Bulleit)
• Vanilla ice cream

- Preheat oven to 400.
- Core the apples, but leave a little apple at the bottom.
- In a medium bowl, combine the oats, brown sugar, flour, salt, cinnamon and chopped walnuts (optional).
- Add the softened butter and vanilla, mixing thoroughly with a fork and with your hands.
- Stuff the mixture inside the apples.
- Place the apples in a large baking dish.
- Pour the apple cider and bourbon into the baking dish.
- Bake for about 30-45 minutes, and use a baster or spoon to pour the cider mixture over the apples about every 10 minutes.
- When they're done, top with vanilla ice cream cream and serve!