Baked Apples with
Maple Cream

• 4 medium Golden Delicious apples, cored
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup low-fat ricotta cheese
• 3 TBSP maple syrup
• 2 tsp milk
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1 TBSP sugar
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Arrange cored apples, right side up in casserole or baking dish just large enough to hold apples. Add water to depth of 1/2 inch. Sprinkle tops with 2 teaspoons of cinnamon. Add extract to water. Cover with aluminum foil and bake about 45 minutes or until apples can be easily be pierced with fork. Combine ricotta, syrup, milk and vanilla in food processor fitted with metal blade. Process until very smooth. Spoon topping on apples while still warm. Combine 1 tablespoon sugar with 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon. Sprinkle tops with sugar-cinnamon mixture.

Serves 4.