Ingredients

 

Apples

• 6 medium Granny Smith Apples

• 8 ounces of Challenge Cream Cheese

• 1/4 cup of dried cranberries

• 1 teaspoon of cinnamon

• 1/2 cup of brown sugar

• 1 preheat pie crust 

• 1 egg, beaten

• 1 tablespoon of sugar

• Baking syrup

• 1 cup of apple juice

• 1/3  cup of brown sugar

• 1 teaspoon of cinnamon

• 1 stick of  Challenge Butter, cut into pieces

 

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2. Using a knife, slightly cut off the bottom of apple so that it stands on its own.  Next, cut off the top ½ inch of apple. Do not peel the apple. To hollow out the centers of each apple, use a melon baller or knife to scoop out the center of each apple leaving about a 1/4 inch wall.  Save the apple you scooped out, and dice into small pieces removing the core.

3. In a small bowl, combine cream cheese, cranberries, brown sugar and cinnamon. Stir in diced apples and fill the centers of each apple with this mixture.

4. Cut pie crust into strips or use a mini cookie cutter to cut out pretty shapes. Place crust on top of apple in an attractive manner. Strips can be woven to create a lattice if desired, and decorated with cut out shapes.

5. Place apples in an 8x8 baking dish. Pour in apple juice. Sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon over juice and distribute butter pieces around apples.

6. If crust has warmed, refrigerate until chilled.

7. Brush the tops of crusts with the beaten egg. Sprinkle with sugar. Place apples in oven and bake for about 20-30 minutes, or until apples are soft and crust is golden brown.

8. NOTE: Do not overbake! Remember, apples will still continue cooking when removed from oven. Overbaking will result in a mushy apple that will fall apart.

9. When apples are done, serve with a drizzle of the baking syrup from the pan on top. If a thicker sauce is desired, place sauce into a sauce pan and reduce is thickened. Great served warm or cold, even fantastic with ice cream!