DIRECTIONS

1. HEAT oven to 350°F. Melt shortening in large skillet over medium heat. Add nuts, raisins and figs; saute 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in brown sugar and salt.
2. REMOVE a 1 ¹/₄-inch wide center core from each apple. Cut a ¹/₄-inch slice off top of each apple so top surface is flat. Place apples in 8-inch square baking pan.
3. SPOON nut mixture evenly into the centers of apples, mounding any additional mixture on tops of apples. Pour 1 C. apple juice into pan. Cover tightly with foil. Bake 30 minutes. Uncover; bake an additional 10 minutes or until fork tender.
4. WHISK corn starch and remaining ¹/₄ C. apple juice in small saucepan until smooth. Remove apples from baking pan. Strain pan juices into saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Cook 1 minute. Spoon sauce over warm baked apples. Serve with ice cream.