Kittencal'S Baked Apples - cooking recipe

Ingredients

4 large apples (Granny Smith is not recommended)
1/4 - 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 pinch nutmeg (optional)
1/3 cup chopped raisins (can use currants)
8 teaspoons butter, divided
3/4 cup boiling water

Preparation

Set oven to 350 degrees F.
I prefer to bake the apples on the second-lowest oven rack to prevent the apples from darkening on the bottom if you do so then you might need to increase baking time slightly.
Prepare an 8 x 8-inch baking pan.
Wash and scrub the skins of the apples then dry.
Remove the cores to about 1/2 to 3/4-inch from the bottom (do not core all the way through and make the core about 3/4-inch wide).
In a bowl combine the brown sugar with cinnamon, nutmeg (if using) and raisins.
Place the cored apples into the baking pan, then divide/stuff the mixture into each hole of the apples.
Top/dot with 2 teaspoons butter.
Pour the boiling water into the pan.
Bake for about 30-40 minutes or until just fork tender basting the apples with the pan liquid several times during baking (do not overbake or the apples will be mushy, check after about 25 minutes of baking time).
Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.