Spiced Baked Apples

I served this delicious spiced dessert for Epiphany!

6 large apples

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

1/4 tsp. cloves

6 Tbsp. maple syrup

6 Tbsp. salted butter, cut into small pieces

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Wash and core the apples, leaving them whole.  Peel the skin down from the top about an inch.  Level the bottoms and arrange in a baking dish.  Combine cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves in a small bowl.  Fill the cavity of each apple with 1 Tbsp. of the maple syrup, 1 Tbsp. of the butter and a dash of the spice mixture.  Fill the baking dish with 3/4 c. water, then bake, basting often, for 40-50 minutes, or until apples are tender.