Vanilla-Bean Baked Apples

• 4 thick-skinned, mildly sweet apples, such as Rome Beauty
• 3 tablespoons packed dark-brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped toasted pecans, plus more for sprinkling
• 1/2 large vanilla bean, halved lengthwise, seeds scraped and reserved
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

1. Preheat the oven to 375F.
2. Using a cylindrical apple corer, core the apples three-quarters of the way down.
3. Fit snugly in an ovenproof skillet or a loaf pan.
4. Stir together the sugar, butter, nuts, vanilla seeds, and salt in a small bowl.
5. Divide the sugar mixture among the apples (about 2 teaspoons each).
6. Sprinkle with nuts.
7. Bake until the apples are soft, about 1 hour.
8. Serve warm with pan syrup spooned on top.

mildly sweet apples, sugar, unsalted butter, pecans, vanilla bean, salt

Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/vanilla-bean-baked-apples-392905 (may not work)