Bratäpfel (Baked Apples)

4 Apples (Pick firm, tart apples, such Granny Smith or Jonathan)
1/2 cup Slivered Almonds
1/4 cup Raisins
4 teaspoons Apricot Jelly or Honey
Pinch of Cinnamon
4 slices of Butter

For the Sauce
1 teaspoon Cornstarch
1 Egg Yolk
2 cups Milk (for a creamier sauce, use whole milk)
3 teaspoons Sugar
1 package Vanilla Sugar
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Preheat oven to 400°F.

Wash and core apples.

Combine almonds, raisins jelly or honey, and cinnamon. Fill apples with the almond mixture. Top each apple with a slice of butter.

Place filled apples on greased baking sheet. Bake for 25 minutes.

While the apples are baking, prepare the sauce. Combine the cornstarch, egg yolk, and 2 teaspoons of the milk in a small bowl. Set aside.

Combine the remaining milk, vanilla extract, and the sugars in a pot. Bring to a simmer.

The eggs need to be tempered before adding them to the hot milk. Pour a little hot milk (about 4 tablespoons) in the egg mixture, stirring constantly. Once combined (just a few seconds) pour the tempered eggs into the simmering milk, constantly stirring so the egg doesn't scramble. Continue cooking the sauce, stirring constantly, until it thickens and begins to bubble.

When the apples are done, remove them from the oven. Serve hot with the warm sauce.