Butter-rum baked apples

4 Golden Delicious or Baking apples with stems

1/3 Cup packed light brown sugar

1/4 Cup dark rum

2 1/2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
1/8 Teaspoon fresh lemon zest

1/8 Teaspoon cloves
¼ Teaspoon cinnamon

Preheat oven to 450°F.

Cut off top third of each apple and reserve. Scoop out seeds and some of flesh from apples using a melon-ball cutter or round teaspoon measure to form a cavity (do not puncture bottoms). Stand apples in a buttered baking dish just large enough to hold them.

Heat remaining ingredients in a small saucepan over moderate heat, stirring, until sugar is dissolved. Pour some of syrup into cavity of each apple and remainder into baking dish. Return apple tops to apples and cover dish loosely with foil.

Bake in middle of oven until apples are tender, 25 to 30 minutes.
Makes 4 servings.