Granola-Ginger Baked Apples

Finely crushed oat-and-honey granola bars, chopped crystallized ginger, and thick Greek yogurt are the secrets to this delectable easy desserts. Baked apples are a customary cold-weather dessert in America, but the French are more likely to pop sweet winter pears in the oven. Enjoy these gourmet recipes with your families and friends.

Ingredients
4 large Golden Delicious or Jonagold apples
3 (1.5-oz.) oat-and-honey granola bars, finely crushed
1/2 cup roasted salted almonds, chopped
1/4 cup finely chopped crystallized ginger
1/4 cup butter, softened
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 3/4 cups apple cider
1/3 cup cherry preserves
1 (7-oz.) container Greek yogurt

Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 375°. Cut apples in half, cutting through stem and bottom ends. Scoop out core and pulp, leaving a 3/4-inch shell. Cut about 1/4 inch from opposite side of apple, forming a flat base.

2. Stir together crushed granola bars and next 4 ingredients. Spoon mixture into apple shells, pressing to gently pack. Arrange apples in a 13- x 9-inch pan. Pour cider around apples in pan.

3. Bake at 375° for 25 to 45 minutes or until apples are tender, basting twice with pan juices.

4. Place apples on a serving plate. Add preserves to pan juices, and cook, over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, 5 to 6 minutes or until thickened. Serve apples with warm sauce and Greek yogurt.

Granola-Ginger Baked Pears: Substitute 4 Bosc pears for apples. Proceed with recipe as directed.
Note: Baking times will vary greatly due to the ripeness of your fruit. Begin testing for doneness by inserting a wooden pick directly into the fruit (not granola mixture) after 25 minutes of baking. A wooden pick should be able to pierce the fruit easily with just a little resistance. Overcooking will lead to the fruit losing its natural shape and becoming mushy. For testing purposes only, we used Nature Valley Oats 'N Honey Crunchy Granola Bars.