Apples With Honey and Cinnamon

Baked apples from the stovetop, with dried cranberries or raisins.

• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/3 cup honey
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• a few drops red food coloring, optional
• 1/2 cup raisins or dried cranberries
• 6 large baking apples, such as Golden Delicious, Winesap, or Rome

In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, combine the sugar, water, honey, cinnamon, food coloring, and raisins or dried cranberries; bring to a boil.

Peel and carve out cores from the apples without cutting through the bottoms; add the apples to the boiling mixture. Cover and simmer in the hot syrup until tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. Place apples in a dish with sides, for serving, using a slotted spoon to spoon raisins in center of each apple. Pour syrup over all.