Baked Apples with Feta, Honey, and Cranberries

These baked apples are a warm, comforting treat with the right amount of sweetness from honey and cranberries, paired with the creamy, salty bite of feta cheese. It’s a simple yet elegant dish that’s perfect for fall or winter gatherings!

Ingredients:
4 large apples (choose a firm variety like Honeycrisp, Gala, or Granny Smith)
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/4 cup dried cranberries (or fresh cranberries if available)
2 tbsp honey (plus more for drizzling)
1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional, for crunch)
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground ginger (optional)
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice (optional, to balance the sweetness)
1/4 cup water (for the baking dish)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Apples:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Wash and core the apples, making sure to remove the seeds and create a hollow center. You can use an apple corer or a paring knife. Be careful not to cut all the way through the bottom, leaving a base to hold the filling.
Place the cored apples in a baking dish, standing upright.
2. Make the Filling:
In a small bowl, combine the crumbled feta cheese, dried cranberries, chopped nuts (if using), ground cinnamon, and ginger (if using).
Add 2 tablespoons of honey and the lemon juice (if using) to the mixture, and stir well to combine.
3. Stuff the Apples:
Spoon the filling into each apple, packing it in gently so it stays in place.
Drizzle a little more honey on top of each stuffed apple for extra sweetness.
4. Bake the Apples:
Pour the water into the bottom of the baking dish (this helps to keep the apples from drying out as they bake).
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake the apples for about 30 minutes.
After 30 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes or until the apples are tender and the filling is golden and bubbly.
5. Serve:
Once baked, remove the apples from the oven and allow them to cool slightly before serving.
Drizzle with extra honey just before serving for an added touch of sweetness.