Apple Pie Baked Apples

Ingredients

• Serves 8
• 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon cold butter, divided
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 4 ounces cream cheese, cubed and softened
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon sugar, divided
• 8 baking apples, such as Braeburn or Jonagold
• 1/4 cup cranberries
• 16 Kraft caramels
• 1 tablespoon milk

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Cube 1/2 cup butter. Process flour, butter, cream cheese, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon sugar in food processor until mixture forms ball. Divide dough in half. Roll out each half between 2 sheets of parchment to 12 x 5 inches. Cut each rectangle crosswise into 24 strips, 1/2 inch wide. Place in single layer on parchment-covered baking sheet. Refrigerate until ready to use.
3. Cut 1/2 inch-thick slice off top of each apple; discard removed top. Use small sharp knife to make circular vertical cut around inside of each apple, about 1/4 inch from peel. Use melon baller to remove inside of each apple, cutting between the core and peel. Place cut fruit in medium bowl. Add cranberries and remaining cinnamon sugar; mix lightly. Use knife to cut cores from apples, being careful to not cut through to bottom of apples.
4. Microwave caramels, milk, and remaining butter in a microwaveable bowl until caramels are completely melted and sauce is well blended when stirred. Add to fruit mixture and stir.
5. Stand apples in 13 x 9 inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray; fill with fruit mixture. Top each with 6 dough strips to resemble lattice crust; firmly press ends of dough strips onto sides of apples to secure. Cover.
6. Bake 45 minutes or till apples are tender and crusts are golden brown.