Baked Gingerbread Apples

Ingredients:

1 box (about 7 ounces) spiced Lebkuchen covered with bittersweet chocolate
1/4 cup finely chopped crystallized ginger
1/3 cup chopped walnuts
1 tablespoon German honey
2 tablespoons butter
8 baking apples
Honey Syrup (see recipe below)

Garnish:
1 cup whipped cream
1 tablespoon powdered sugar
Crystallized ginger slivers

Honey and Water Syrup:
Combine 1/2 cup honey and 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1 cup water and 2 tablespoons butter in small saucepan and bring to a boil. Keep warm to brush on apples.

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Crumble Lebkuchen into small pieces and place into a bowl. Add crystallized ginger and nuts. Melt honey and butter in microwave together and add to bowl. Stir to combine and set aside.

Core the apples without cutting through the base. With a knife or melonballer, remove some of the inside of the apple to make room for the filling. Place apples in a 12 x 7.5 x 2 inch baking dish. Spoon the prepared filling into the opening in the apples, packing it down lightly. Brush apples liberally with honey syrup and pour remainder around apples. Bake uncovered at 375° F for 45 minutes or until the apples are tender, basting occasionally. Let cool for 15 minutes. Whip cream with powdered sugar. Serve apples with a dollop of whipping cream and garnish with slivers of crystallized ginger.