Easy Bloomin’ Apple

Directions

1. 1
   Place butter and coconut (or brown) sugar in a medium-sized bowl. Microwave until butter is melted. Stir sugar and butter together until combined.
2. 2
   Stir in 1 tsp apple pie spice (or less depending on your affection for cinnamon and fall spices) to the mixture of sugar and butter.
3. 3
   On a cutting board, cut the top 1/4 of the apple off.
4. 4
   Scoop out the core of the apple with a knife and spoon (a grapefruit spoon works well). You can also use a melon baller to do this.
5. 5
   Next, with a thin small knife make two circular, deep cuts around the center of the apple. Try to not break through the skin of the apple.
6. 6
   Then flip over the apple so it is resting on the cut end. Make narrow cuts all the way around the apple.
7. 7
   Place apples in a greased 8x8 baking dish.
8. 8
   Distribute the sugar mixture evenly between the 4 apples. Cover the entire tops of the apples, not just filling the core of the apple.
9. 9
   Bake prepared apples at 375F for 45 minutes or until apples are soft.
10. 10
    Let apples cool slightly and top with a scoop of ice cream and drizzle with caramel sauce if desired.