Baked Apples

4 medium apples, like Honeycrisp
1/4 cup brown sugar (dark or light)
1/4 cup rolled oats
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup butter, divided in four
1/2 cupe hot water hot water

Optional extras:  chopped nuts or raisins
To serve: Ice cream, whipped cream

Preheat oven to 375°F with a rack in the lower-middle position.

Remove the core of the apples

Mix the brown sugar, oatmeal, cinnamon, and butter  and any extras in a bowl. Divide this mixture between the apples, packing the core.

Arrange the apples in a baking dish (like an 8x8-inch Pyrex dish) Pour the water into the bottom of the dish and cover loosely with aluminum foil. Any extra mix i had I put on top of the apples

Bake for 20 minutes and remove foil. Continue baking uncovered until the apples are soft and the brown sugar has melted into a syrup, an additional 20 to 30 minutes. You can test the apples by poking a paring knife through the oatmeal mixture and into the interior of the apple; it should slide into the apple easily with no resistance. The skin on the apples will also become wrinkled and soft by the end of cooking.

Serve with a scoop of ice cream or whipped cream.  Leftovers will keep for up to a week and can be reheated in the microwave or eaten cold.