Cinnamon Baked Apples

This Cinnamon Baked Apple recipe can be used as a side dish or add vanilla ice cream for a dessert. Serves 6 Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes Gluten Free

Ingredients:
6- 7 medium to large apples (2 tart like granny smith, 4 sweet like honeycrisp 
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
1 Tablespoon coconut oil (optional)
2/3 cup coconut sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon fresh grated ginger or 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 

1 pinch nutmeg

3 tablespoons cornstarch or arrowroot starch

3 tablespoons fresh apple juice or water

1 pinch sea salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (176 C) and set out a 9x13-inch (or similar size) baking dish.
2. Peel and core apples, quarter, and use a paring knife to thinly slice lengthwise. The thinner the better! Just try to cut them consistently, so they cook evenly.
3. Add to baking dish and top with lemon juice, coconut oil (optional), coconut sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cornstarch (or arrowroot), apple juice (or water), and a healthy pinch of salt. Toss to combine. Then loosely cover with foil.
4. Bake for 45 minutes (covered). Then carefully remove foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes or until the apples are very fork tender (especially in the center of the dish) and slightly caramelized.
5. Enjoy as is or with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream! Best when fresh, though leftovers keep covered in the refrigerator up to 3-4 days or in the freezer up to 1 month. Reheat in the microwave or in a 350-degree F (176 C) oven (covered) until warmed through. Add a bit of water if the "caramel" sauce is too thick. Yum Yum!