After I core the unpeeled apples and put them in the baking dish I fill the center with red cinnamon candy and pour Fresca or other clear lemon/lime soda around them. Bake in oven or microwave. Doesn't take much soda -- just a little so they don't burn. Started doing this from an old Weight Watchers recipe in the 60's. There was a company that made an unsweetened apple flavored soda (and cherry which I used sometimes). Can't do baked apples without the cinnamon candy for my family.