What a beautiful time of year! The leaves are colourful, apple picking is giving way to pumpkin season and warming spices such as

cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger capture our senses.

But let's face it, sugar is what makes October so popular!

If you need to satisfy your sweet tooth, there are countless alternatives to the empty calorie treats October is renowned for. October is renowned for empty calorie treats but there are countless healthier alternatives if you need to satisfy your sweet

tooth.

This month we are featuring a delicious fall recipe for cinnamon baked apples! They are naturally sweet, full of fibre and can be

quite visually appealing when topped with maple syrup, raisins and some nuts.

Baked, glazed apples sprinkled with cinnamon or ginger can be enjoyed as a dessert, a snack or even for

breakfast.

Baked Cinnamon Apples

Ingredients:

6 - 8 apples (braeburn, fuji, honey crisp, royal gala)

1/4 cup chopped raisins

1 cup almonds or walnuts, chopped or ground

1 tbsp maple syrup

1/2 cup apple juice

1 tbsp cinnamon

Fresh ginger (optional extras: clove powder, cardamom pods, allspice)

1 tbsp coconut oil

Directions:

Core apples, leaving the bottom intact to prevent leakage

Finely grind or chop nuts by hand or in a food processor. In a medium bowl, combine ground nuts, cinnamon, raisins and syrups

and mix well.

Stuff the mixture into each of the apples and place them into a small glass baking dish.

Pour the apple juice on top of the apples and into the baking dish.

Preheat oven to 375F

Bake in flat corning ware greased with coconut oil, uncovered for 20 minutes and baste apples with juice at bottom and

continue to bake for another 20-30 minutes or until tender.

Enjoy!