Ingredients

• 2 Gala or Golden Delicious apples
• 1/2 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup plus 1/2 tablespoon sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup walnut pieces, toasted
• 1/4 cup thick yogurt (preferably Greek), sour cream, or crème fraîche
• 2 teaspoons honey plus additional (optional) for drizzling

Instructions

1. Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 450°F. Oil a baking sheet.
2. Halve apples lengthwise and remove core with a melon-ball cutter or a paring knife. Melt butter in a 10-inch heavy ovenproof skillet over moderate heat and sprinkle with 1/2 tablespoon sugar. Arrange apple halves, cut sides down, on sugar and cook, undisturbed, until sugar begins to caramelize, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer skillet to oven and bake apples until tender, about 15 minutes.
3. While apples are baking, cook remaining 1/4 cup sugar with salt in a dry 7- to 8-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat, undisturbed, until sugar begins to melt, about 2 minutes. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally with a fork, until sugar is melted into a deep golden caramel, 1 to 2 minutes more. Remove from heat. Add walnuts, stirring to coat, then pour onto baking sheet and cool 10 minutes. Break nuts into small pieces if necessary.
4. Stir together yogurt and 2 teaspoons honey.
5. Serve apples, cut sides up, topped with yogurt and nuts. Drizzle with additional honey if desired.