Simple Cinnamon Baked Apples

I don’t know about you, but there’s something about a tried and true recipe passed down by an older generation that just makes me feel good. Even if it’s something others have done before, I feel like it’s a piece of me when it comes from family. I imagine him or her in their kitchen preparing the dish, and often reminisce about times we enjoyed eating together when they made it for me.

Growing up, my great-grandmother, lovingly known as Nanny, would make comforting, aromatic baked apples. They were warm, luscious and full of sweet, cinnamon-spice. She’s been on my mind a lot lately and what better way to feel like she’s near me than to cook up something that makes me think of her?

So I called her daughter, my Grandma Dee, to learn how to make these. Much to my surprise, I found out these require little prep, few ingredients (looks like I inherited that motto from her!) and only take ten minutes to bake…in the microwave! It’s a healthy, apple-pie like dessert ready at your fingertips.

Just cut the tops off the apples, remove the cores, overflow each center with soda (!) and sprinkle on a touch of cinnamon before cooking. Smart lady my Nanny was. Delicious.

Ingredients:

Your favorite brand of apples

About 1/3 cup soda per apple (Any flavor–Try diet for a low-cal snack!)

About 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions:

Wash and dry your apples.

Cut off the tops. Set them aside for baking.

Remove the cores.

Place apples in a microwave-safe dish and pour soda in the center until it overflows.

I used cranberry gingerale, but truly anything you have on hand works great. (Diet coke, seltzer…really anything!)

Sprinkle with cinnamon.

Bake in microwave for about ten minutes, until tender. Cooking times may vary depending on number of apples.

Pour some liquid over top before serving and add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a cloud of whipped cream, if desired.

Eat and enjoy a part of my family ties!