Microwave "Baked" Apples

For a magazine I write for, I needed a healthy preparation for baked apples that could be ready in 30 minutes or less. This one was a treat--if you try it, let me know what you think.

Microwave Baked Apple for One

Prep + Cook = 15 minutes
Serves One

You can make yourself this sweet and delicious dessert, or skip the ice cream and serve it for breakfast—it takes just minutes to prepare and a few more until you have a fragrant and juicy treat.

1 Fuji or Gala apple (or variety of your choice)
3/4 cup water
1 tsp. butter or margarine
1 tsp. raisins
1 Tbsp. granulated brown sugar
1/8 tsp. cinnamon, or to taste
1 – 2 Tbsp. low fat cookies and cream or vanilla ice cream (optional)

Core the apple, removing all the seeds, and peel the top 1/2-inch of the apple. In the core of the apple, put the butter, raisins, and brown sugar and pack it down with your thumb.

Put the water in the bottom of a flat microwave-safe dish with sides, and put the apple right side up, in the middle of the dish. Sprinkle the cinnamon over the opening and top of the apple. Cover the dish with plastic wrap, leaving a small space for air to escape. Microwave the apple on full power for 10 minutes (if you are making more than one, add 10 minutes for each apple), or until it is fragrant and soft to the touch (microwave oven cooking times vary).

Remove the apple from the microwave, put it in a small bowl, and pour about 1 tsp. of the liquid from the bottom of the dish over the apple. Serve it while it’s still hot, with the ice cream.