together. Fill each apple cavity three-fourths to the top with sugar mixture. Put one spoonful of maple syrup on top of the sugar mixture and top with 1/2 tablespoon butter. Bring up the pie pastry around the apple to make a basket. Moisten pastry to seal it together, leaving a very small opening on top.
Pour remaining maple syrup in bottom of baking dish and set apple baskets on top. Bake at 425° for 30 to 35 minutes.
Place each hot apple basket in a serving dish and top with a scoop of praline or vanilla ice cream.