Baked German Gingerbread Apples

Ingredients

Apples

• 1 (7 ounce) box gingerbread (spiced Lebkuchen covered with bittersweet chocolate)
• 1/4 cup crystallized ginger, finely chopped
• 1/3 cup walnuts, chopped
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 8 baking apples

Honey and Water Syrup

• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup water
• 2 tablespoons butter

Garnish

• 1 cup whipped cream
• 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
• crystallized ginger, slivers

Directions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 375°F.

2. 2

   Crumble Lebkuchen into small pieces and place into a bowl.

3. 3

   Add crystallized ginger and nuts.

4. 4

   Melt honey and butter in microwave together and add to bowl.

5. 5

   Stir to combine and set aside.

6. 6

   Core the apples without cutting through the base.

7. 7

   With a knife or melonballer, remove some of the inside of the apple to make room for the filling.

8. 8

   Place apples in a 12 x 7.5 x 2 inch baking dish.

9. 9

   Spoon the prepared filling into the opening in the apples, packing it down lightly.

10. 10

    To prepare syrup, combine honey, brown sugar, water and butter in small saucepan and bring to a boil; keep warm to brush on apples.

11. 11

    Brush apples liberally with honey syrup and pour remainder around apples.

12. 12

    Bake uncovered at 375° F for 45 minutes or until the apples are tender, basting occasionally.

13. 13

    Let cool for 15 minutes.

14. 14

    Whip cream with powdered sugar.

15. 15

    Serve apples with a dollop of whipping cream and garnish with slivers of crystallized ginger.