Ingredients:-
2 large, firm cooking apples
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons brown sugar
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon flour
1 tablespoon rolled oats
Salt
Cooking oil
Ice cream, for serving (optional)
Method:-
(1) Heat the oven to 400°F.
(2) In a small saucepan melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Once cooled add 1 tablespoon brown sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Set aside.
(3) Peel the apples to remove all the skin.
(4) Slice the apples in half from top to bottom.
(5) Core the apples: Use a melon baller or spoon to remove the apple cores.
(6) Cut slices in the apples, leaving the bottom intact: Place the apples cut-side down on a cutting board. Cut slices into the apple, 1/4-inch apart, stopping just before you cut through the bottom.
(7) Stir together the butter mixture. Use a pastry brush to spread the butter mixture over top of the apples and into the slices.
(8) Bake the apples: Brush a thin layer of cooking oil over the inside of a baking dish. Place the apples in the baking dish, flat-side down. Cover the baking dish with tinfoil, and bake for 20 minutes.
(9) Prepare the streusel: Cut the remaining tablespoon of butter into cubes. Add it to a bowl, along with 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, flour, oats, and a pinch of salt. Use your fingers or a fork to blend the ingredients together.
(10) Top the apples with streusel: After the apples have finished baking, remove the baking dish from the oven. Use a fork to carefully spread the streusel over top of the apples. Work the streusel between the slices as well.
(11) Increase the oven temperature to 425°F. Place the baking dish back in the oven and bake, uncovered, for 15 minutes more.
(12) Remove the baking dish from the oven. Cool the apples for about 5 minutes before serving.