Remove the cores from the apples using a corer. Slit the skin round the centre of each apple with the tip of a sharp knife to prevent the apples bursting during cooking.

Place in an ovenproof dish. Mix together the fruit and sugar, and stuff the apple centres with the mixture. Pour one teaspoon of syrup over each apple, sprinkle over a little ginger and top with a knob of butter.

Bake in a moderate oven for 40-50 minutes. Serve immediately with hot custard.

If the apple core does not run straight through the middle, push the corer through from one end first, then from the other to remove all the bits.