Bloomin Baked Apples From Deb Keays

Our favorite apples are honey crisp apples.

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. I don't have an apple corer, so I used my metal 1/2 teaspoon measuring spoon. Then use a thin 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.

Place the apples in an oven safe dish and put two caramels into the center of each apple.

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.

Bake at 375 for 25-30 minutes. Remove from the oven and use a large spoon to move the apples into bowls. The outside layer of apple pieces will spread out and the middle will stick together due to the ooey, gooey caramel center!

**UpdateI made myself another bloomin' apple last night and I had to cook it for 45 minutes. I would suggest that you check your apples after 25 minutes and then continue cooking them until they are tender. The cook time will depend on the size and firmness of the apples.**

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 it quickly or put the ice cream scoop on the side.

*I believe the trick for it doing the blooming apple is to get the core as close to the bottom as you canthus giving it that blooming look..i used a melon scoop and got way to almost the bottom of the apple