It is the season for apples and this looks like a very yummy way to use up some of those delicious crisp apples.

Blooming apples

Ingredients

• 2 Honeycrisp apples or other crisp apples
• 2 tablespoon butter
• 3 tablespoon brown sugar packed
• 1 tablespoon flour
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 4 caramels
• Optional toppings: vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce, and cinnamon

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
2. To get the blooming apple look, you need to cut the apples. Slice off the top 1/4 to 1/3 of the apples. Scoop out the core with a melon baller or stainless steel measuring spoon.
3. Use a thin paring knife to make two, deep circular cuts around the center of the apple. Next, turn the apple over and make narrow cuts all the way around the apple. Flip it back over and you can see all of the cuts.
4. Place the apples in an oven safe dish and put two caramels into the center of each apple.
5. Heat butter and brown sugar in the microwave for 30 second, stir and continue heating for an additional 30 seconds. Remove from the microwave and stir in flour and cinnamon. Divide the mixture over the top of the two sliced apples.
6. Bake at 375 for 25-30 minutes. (Check apples after 25 minutes and continue cooking until tender. Some apples can take 45 min to 1 hour to soften.)
7. Remove from the oven and use a large spoon to move the apples into bowls.
8. Top with a scoop of ice cream, drizzle with caramel and sprinkle with cinnamon. The ice cream will cause the caramel in the center to harden so eat quickly or put the ice cream scoop on the side.