There is absolutely nothing wrong with having sweets or desserts every once in a while. Look for desserts that are sweetened with more natural sugars coming from things like fruit, coconut, or honey. These things are sweet but not overly sweet and by choosing these types of desserts more often you will crave less of the desserts packed with processed sugars. Try this Apple and Pear Crisp this fall for a festive treat.
Easy-Peasy Baked Apples Recipe by Meaghan Mikulas
Makes 4 servings These baked apples require no crust and only a few ingredients. The apple peel stays on, making it even easier (and more nutritious!). It can be done in a flash and is great warm or at room temperature. It’s even better when served with vanilla ice cream.
Ingredients
• 2 granny smith apples, cored and sliced
• 2 honey crisp apples, cored and sliced
• ½ tablespoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• ¼ cup dried cranberries or raisins
Instructions 1. Begin by preheating the oven to 350 degrees F. 2. Core each apple and slice it into about 8 wedges. 3. In a deep pie dish add sliced apples, cinnamon, sugar and melted butter. 4. Using hands, toss all ingredients until well incorporated. 5. Place in the middle oven rack for about 30 minutes. The apples should be soft when taken out of the oven. 6. Add dried cranberries, stir and serve! OR Cinnamon Apple, Pear, and Almond Crumble
OR
Cinnamon Apple, Pear, and Almond Crumble
Prep Time: 40 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour, 25 minutes
Yield: 8 Servings
Serving Size: 1 Serving
Ingredients
· 1 cup oats
· 3/4 cup + 1 tbs whole wheat pastry flour
· 1/2 cup raw turbinado sugar
· 1/4 tsp salt
· 3/4 cup raw almonds, chopped small
· 2 tsp ceylon cinnamon
· 6tbs cold butter
· 1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce
· 3 large pears-peeled, cored, thinly sliced
· 3 large apples-peeled, cored, thinly sliced
· 2tbs fresh lemon juice
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°. Coat an 8-by-11-inch baking dish with oil.
2. In a medium bowl, mix: oats, 3/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour, sugar, salt, chopped almonds, 1tsp ceylon cinnamon. Cut in butter and incorporate with hands until crumbly. Mix in apple sauce.
3. Place peeled, cored, and thinly sliced apples and pears into a large bowl. With hands, gently mix in lemon juice, 1tbs whole wheat pastry flour, and 1 tsp ceylon cinnamon.
4. Pour fruit mixture evenly into prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the oat mixture on top. Bake for 35 minutes. Cover with tinfoil, and bake for an additional 10 minutes until fruit is tender and topping is golden.
Notes
If you choose to use a different type of cinnamon, use slightly less than 2tsps. Ceylon cinnamon is a very mild cinnamon.
I used 3 large pears and 6 small apples. Adjust the amount of fruit to your liking.
