Heavenly Baked Apples

1-1/4 cups apricot nectar
1/3 cup snipped dried apricots
2 tablespoons dried cherries or cranberries
4 medium baking apples (such as Rome or Winesap)
2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Combine apricot nectar, dried apricots, and dried cherries or
cranberries in a small saucepan. Bring to boiling. Remove from heat.
Let stand 5 minutes. Drain fruit, reserving liquid.

3. Meanwhile, core apples almost through to bottom. Peel a strip
about 1 inch wide around the middle of each. Use the tines of a fork
to make a crisscross or wavy pattern in the peeled apple. Place
apples in a 2-quart square baking dish.

4. Combine the drained fruit mixture, sugar, and nutmeg. Spoon into
centers of apples. Combine reserved liquid, cardamom, and vanilla;
pour over and around apples. Bake, covered, in the preheated oven
for 20 minutes. Uncover; bake 20 to 25 minutes more or until apples
are tender, basting occasionally with the cooking liquid. Before
serving, spoon liquid over apples again. Serve warm. Makes 4
servings.


				*Heavenly Baked Apples*