Orange Cranberry Baked Apples

I wanted something more than the same old, same old when it comes to baked apples.  Since I am fond of the flavors of orange and cranberries together, I combined them with the apples with tasty results.

Nothing says "fall" - other than pumpkin - like apples.  And the smell of apples cooking in your kitchen emphasizes that statement.  Because these are "baked" in the slow cooker, you can put them together and go on with your day, enjoying the fragrance as you come and go.  And you know what?  This new flavor combination really works well together.

Orange Cranberry Baked Apples

4 medium Granny Smith apples, cored
1 medium orange
2 tablespoons dried cranberries
4 teaspoons chopped pecans
2 teaspoons maple or brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Place apples in one layer on bottom of slow cooker.  Obtain one teaspoon zest from orange peel and juice the orange.  Pour orange juice in and around the apples.

In small bowl, combine orange zest, cranberries, pecans, sugar, and vanilla.  Divide evenly between apples, pushing it down into each core.  Turn slow cooker on to low and cook 4 hours or until apples are tender.

Makes 4 servings, 1 point plus and 144 calories each.