Bloomin Baked Apples From Deb Keays Food

BLOOMIN' APPLE

Steps:

• Fill a large, heavy-bottomed pot halfway with oil, attach a deep-fry thermometer to the side of the pot and heat to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with paper towels and set aside.
• Whisk together the cider, flour and 1 teaspoon cinnamon in a large bowl until no lumps remain and the batter is completely smooth. Stir together the sugar and remaining 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon in a small bowl.
• Slice the apples in half crosswise (not through the stem). Scoop out the core and seeds using a melon baller, being careful not to go all the way through the apple. Have ready a 1 1/2-inch, 2-inch and 2 1/2-inch round biscuit or cookie cutters. Make 3 concentric circles on each apple half starting with the smallest biscuit cutter around the core and then working out with a slightly bigger cutter each time. Press each ring down into the apple but don't go through the skin (you should have 3 rings). This keeps the apple intact. (See Cook's Note.) Flip an apple over and, visualizing a quarter placed on top of the stem in the center, cut slits through the apple about 1/2 inch apart, circling around the quarter. This also keeps the apple intact. Repeat with the remaining apples.
• Use your hands to gently pull apart the outer layers of the apple while keeping the skin intact. This will allow the batter to sink into the cuts and help the apple bloom.
• Sprinkle each apple half with 1 teaspoon of the cinnamon-sugar mixture and let sit for 5 minutes. Stuff the centers with 4 marshmallows each. Place 2 apples at a time in the batter, using a slotted spoon to turn them and evenly coat. Lower each apple cut-side down into the hot oil with the slotted spoon and fry until crispy and golden brown on the bottom, about 3 minutes. Flip the apples over and continue to fry until the apples are tender and golden brown and crispy on the top, 2 to 3 minutes more. Transfer with a slotted spoon to the prepared baking sheet to drain. Repeat with the remaining apples, being sure to bring the oil temperature back to 350 degrees F before frying again.
• Meanwhile, stir the caramel sauce and salt in a small bowl until well combined. Dollop each apple with whipped cream and drizzle with the caramel sauce. Serve with the remaining sauce for dipping.

BLOOMIN BAKED APPLES

Steps:

• 1. Heat oven to 375°
• 2. Cut off the top 1/3 of the apples, scoop out the core. Use a thin knife to make 2 deep circular cuts around the center of the apples. Next, turn the apples over and make narrow cuts all the way around the apples. Flip the apples back over and you can see the cuts.
• 3. Place the apples in an oven safe dish and put 2 caramels in the center of each apple.
• 4. Heat butter and brown sugar in the microwave for 30 seconds. Stir and heat for another 30 seconds. Remove from the microwave, stir in flour and cinnamon. Divide the mixture between the 2 apples.
• 5. Bake at 375°for 25-35 minutes. Check apples after 25 minutes. Some apples take 45-1 hour to soften.
• 6. Remove from the oven and use a large spoon to scoop into bowls.
• 7. Top with a scoop of ice cream sprinkled with cinnamon and drizzled with caramel. Eat right away, the ice cream will harden the caramels or omit ice cream.

SHORTCUT BLOOMIN' BAKED CARAMEL APPLES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375ºF.
• Cut 1/4-inch-thick slice off top of each apple; discard. Cut out apple cores; discard. Starting at top of each apple, cut apple into 12 wedges, being careful to not cut through to bottom of apple.
• Place apples in individual baking dishes. Add 2 caramels to center of each apple. Combine sugar, flour and butter; spoon over apples.
• Bake 20 to 25 min. or until apples are tender. Cool slightly. Mix cream cheese spread and milk until blended; spoon over warm apples just before serving.