Ultimate Baked Apple Crisp Delight

Ingredients

• A spritz of cooking spray
• ¼ cup of softened cream cheese
• 2 tablespoons of rich brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons of pure maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons of finely chopped walnuts
• A dash of 1 ½ teaspoons of aromatic ground cinnamon
• A hint of ¼ teaspoon of vanilla extract
• A touch of ⅛ teaspoon of ground nutmeg
• A sprinkle of ⅛ teaspoon of ground allspice
• 1 fresh apple, halved with the core removed
• 1 tablespoon of melted butter
• ¼ cup of crunchy granola

Step 1

Begin by preheating your oven to a cozy 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and generously coat an 8x8-inch baking dish with cooking spray for a non-stick finish.

Step 2

In a mixing bowl, combine a delightful blend of cream cheese, rich brown sugar, fragrant maple syrup, crunchy walnuts, warm cinnamon, fragrant vanilla extract, spicy nutmeg, and flavorful allspice. Stir until the mixture is perfectly combined and ready to elevate your dish.

Step 3

Place the apples in the prepared dish with the cut side facing up, ensuring they are well-supported with core pieces if necessary. Nestle a dollop of butter, about 1 1/2 teaspoons, into the center of each apple and generously top them with half of the luscious cream cheese mixture. Make sure to fill the core and cover the entire top of each apple for a deliciously satisfying result.

Step 4

Bake your creation in the preheated oven until the apples are tender yet slightly firm, which should take around 35 minutes. Now, sprinkle a generous amount of granola over the apples, gently pressing it into the creamy filling. Return the dish to the oven and continue baking until the apples are perfectly cooked through and the granola achieves a beautiful golden brown hue, typically around 10 more minutes.