This vegan Bourbon Baked Apple recipe is a great way to get that ridiculously good apple flavor without resorting to the time intensive sport of pie making. It's kind of like an apple pie but without all the crust drama. The core of the apple is removed and replaced with a delectable mixture of pecans or walnuts, raisins, maple syrup, cinnamon and nutmeg. The whole deal is then doused with bourbon and baked to perfection. I won't tell if you drink some of the bourbon to make sure it's 'okay'.

4 large tart, green apples or other suitable apple varieties for baking

¼ cup chopped pecans or walnuts
¼ cup chopped raisins
3 Tablespoons brown sugar
2 Tablespoons maple syrup
4 teaspoons margarine
1 teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon nutmeg

½ cup water
1/3 cup bourbon

1)
Preheat oven to 375F (190C).  Wash the apples. Using a paring knife, remove the cores of the apples almost, but not completely to the bottom. If you have an apple corer you can cut the core out all the way through but be sure to cut off the bottom ½ inch of the core and put it back in the bottom of the apples. Be sure to dig out any seeds. The holes should be about ¾ inch to one inch wide.

2)
In a small bowl mix the pecans or walnuts, raisins, brown sugar, maple syrup, margarine, cinnamon and nutmeg. Place the apples in a 8 inch by 8 inch square baking dish. Stuff each apple with this mixture.

3)
Add the water and bourbon to the baking dish. Bake for about 35 minutes, until tender, but not mushy. Remove from the oven and baste the apples several times with the pan juices.
Serve warm with vanilla non-dairy ice cream or vanilla yogurt.
Makes 4 servings.