Baked Apple Blossom with Caramelized Topping

I love anything apple.  Especially in the fall!

I found this recipe for a baked apple and I tweaked the recipe a bit with ingredients that I love.

I hope you love it as much as I do!

Ingredients:
2 Honeycrisp apples (or other crisp apples)
2 tbsp butter
3 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup chopped pecans
4 caramels

First, cut off the top of your apple.

Next, cut out the core of the apple.  I used my metal measuring spoon to remove the core and seeds which worked perfectly.

Then, take a sharp knife, and carefully make 2 narrow cuts around the perimeter of your apple like pictured below. 

Next, flip your apple over and with your sharp knife, cut lengthwise slits around the entire apple like show below (up and down slits).

When you are finished, your apple will look something like this.  Doing this creates the "blossom" effect for your apple.  So when it's all cooked, you can push down at the top of your apple to "bloom" it open!

Next, place 2 caramels in the center of your apple.

Place your apples in an oven safe dish.

You are almost done!  Now you just need to make the delicious topping, which in my book, is the BEST part!

Melt your butter and brown sugar in a microwave safe mug.  I melted my butter/ sugar mixture for 20 seconds, took it out, stirred it, and then put it back into the microwave for another 20 seconds.

Then, add in your flour, cinnamon, and chopped pecans.  Stir everything together right in the mug.

Top your apples with the brown sugar mixture.

Bake at 375 for 35 minutes.

When you are done, your caramels will be melted on the inside, and your pecan sugar mixture will be warm, gooey, caramelized and oh so delicious!  

I serve mine with a scoop of fat free whipped topping on the side!

Dig in!

Such a warm and delicious part of autumn that you won't want to miss out on!