Baked Apples with Cranberries

4 red, firm fleshed medium apples

1 cup fresh or dried cranberries

1/3 cup pure maple syrup

1/4 cup brown sugar, packed

2 teaspoons unsalted butter

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Cream (optional)

Heat oven to 375 degrees.

Partially core apples, starting at the stem end, removing all the seeded core, leaving bottom intact. Peel each of the apples, leaving at least one-quarter of the peel on the bottom of the apple. Place in a shallow oil-sprayed baking dish.

Fill each apple with cranberries and scatter remaining cranberries in baking dish. Pour maple syrup over apples, sprinkle with brown sugar and top with ¨ teaspoon butter and a sprinkling of cinnamon. Bake, basting occasionally, for 35-45 minutes, or until apples are tender and soft. Remove and allow to cool briefly.

To serve: Place each apple in a serving dish, spoon on syrup from the baking dish and serve warm with cream, if desired.

Serves four.

Nutrition values per serving: 310 calories, 2 g fat (1 g saturated), 75 g carbohydrates, 7 g fiber, 0 protein, 5 mg cholesterol, 10 mg sodium.

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