Classic Baked Apples

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) and get out an 8 x 8 baking dish. Then rinse and dry the Apples (4) thoroughly. Use a paring knife to cut out the cores of the apples and use a spoon to scoop out the seeds. Leave about 1/2 inch on the bottom of the apples for a sturdy foundation.

Combine the Dark Brown Sugar (1/4 cup), Raisins (1/4 cup), Almonds (1/4 cup), Ground Cinnamon (1 tsp), Ground Nutmeg (1/2 tsp), Whole Clove (1/4 tsp), Ground Mace (1/4 tsp), and Vanilla Extract (1/2 tsp) in a bowl and stir them all together thoroughly. Spoon the mixture evenly in each of the apples, then top each apple with one of the quarters of Butter (1 Tbsp).

Fill the 8 x 8 dish with the Water (3/4 cup), then place the apples in it. Bake them for 40-45 minutes to really make them tender and the filling bubbly. When they are done, take them out and paste them with the juices in the pan. Let them cool enough to handle, then serve immediately with either whipped cream or ice cream!