Baked Apples With Vanilla-Walnut Charoset – The Forward

Ingredients

• ½ cup walnuts, toasted and chopped
• ¼ cup raisins, soaked
• 1 apple, peeled and diced
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon vanilla
• 2 tablespoons spiced caramel
• 9 apples (a combination of Granny Smith and Gala recommended), peeled and sliced 1/8 inch thick (use a mandolin if you have one) and reserve in acidulated water
• 8 ounces butter
• 2 tablespoons +1 teaspoon corn starch (potato starch may be substituted during Passover)
• 1 pint apple cider
• 1 cup organic cane sugar
• ¾ cup muscovado sugar
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon clove
• 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon star anise
• 2¼ teaspoons salt
• 3 ounces rum
• 1 cup butter, room temperature
• 1½ cup organic cane sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 2¾ cups gluten-free flour (cup4cup brand preferred)
• 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
• 1 teaspoons baking soda
• ¼ teaspoons salt
• Cinnamon to taste
• 1 cup heavy cream, preferably Battenkill
• 1½ ounces sugar
• ¼ vanilla bean