Author: Mary McGrath

• ½ cup walnut halves
• ¼ cup sugar
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 4 baking apples (Granny Smith)
• 1 lemon, halved
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted, plus 2 tablespoons, cut into pieces
• ¼ cup packed dark brown sugar
• ¼ cup raisins
• 4 small cinnamon sticks
• apple juice
• cream

Preheat oven to 375˚F

1. Place the walnuts, sugar, and cinnamon in a food processor and process until finely ground. Transfer to a bowl.
2. Core and peel the apples. Sprinkle the insides with lemon juice. Rub the outsides well with lemon juice.
3. Brush the apples with the melted butter.
   
4. Press the walnut mixture evenly onto the apples. Transfer to a shallow baking dish.
5. Combine the brown sugar with the cut-up butter in a small bowl.
   
6. Work with a fork to mix.
   
7. Add the raisins and mix with your fingers.
   
8. Fill the apples with this mixture.
   
9. Tuck a cinnamon stick into the top of each.
   
10. Drizzle any remaining melted butter over the tops.
    
11. Pour apple juice into the dish ¼ inch high.
    
12. Bake the apples until tender, about one hour.
    
13. Let cool on a rack for 15 minutes.
    
14. Transfer the apples to individual shallow bowls. 
15. Spoon the juices around the apples and serve while still warm, or at room temperature, with cream on the side.