Ingredients

4 large apples

1 cup raw cashews, soaked in hot water for 1 hour

4 tablespoons maple syrup, divided 2 tablespoons/2 tablespoons

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup water PLUS 1/4 cup water

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/3 cup walnuts, chopped - or pecans

1/2 cup homemade granola (or store-bought)

Instructions - Apples

1. Heat oven to 400 degrees.

2. Core, hollow out, and peel the top quarter of the apple skin on each apple. Or cut in half and core.

3. Place the apples in a small baking dish. If the apples don’t sit up, trim a small slice from the bottom of the apple.

4. Drizzle the apples with 2 tablespoons of maple syrup and sprinkle with cinnamon. Stuff the centers with chopped walnuts.

5. Pour 1/4 cup water into the bottom of the baking dish, cover with foil and bake for about 30 minutes. Check for softness at 30 minutes and bake a little longer if needed.

6. Uncover and bake for an additional 5 minutes.

7. Before serving, top with a dollop of chilled cashew cream and a sprinkling of granola.

Instructions - Cashew Cream

1. It’s best to make the Cashew Cream ahead of the apples giving it time to chill before serving.

2. After the cashews have soaked for at least 1 hour drain them and place them into a high-speed blender with 1/2 cup of water, 2 tablespoons maple syrup, and vanilla. Blend until smooth, this may take a few minutes. Remove with a spatula to a bowl and refrigerate.