Award Winning Apple Dessert

The new year is a great time to make changes towards a healthier lifestyle.  One new year’s resolution that most of us can add to our list is adding more fruits and vegetables to our diet.  Fruits and vegetables contain essential vitamins, minerals and fiber that we need to thrive.  They also contain powerful phytonutrients that are important for longevity and disease prevention.

Adding produce to your dessert is a delicious way to get started.  You may try our award-winning recipe below.  The DNI’s Chef Mark Allison and registered dietitian Melanie Dwornik competed at Charlotte’s Chef Challenge hosted by the American Heart Association and placed first in the dessert category!  It’s fruit based and you can limit added calories by going easy on the cream and crumble. 

Healthy Baked Apple and Almond Crumble Pudding with Apple Cider Cream

Serves 8

Ingredients

 Filling6 medium sized apples, washed and peeled, cut into wedges, remove core3 tablespoon apple cider1 tablespoon maple syrup1 teaspoon vanilla extract1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamonCrumble topping1-1/2 cups organic rolled oats1/2 cup almond flour1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon1 teaspoon vanilla extract, paste1/4 cup Earth Balance butter, cold, cut into small pieces

Apple Cream Sauce1/2 pint Apple cider1/2 pint unsweetened coconut cream

Directions

Preheat your oven to 380F

To make the filling:

1. Place the apples into a large heavy based pot, pour over the cider, maple syrup, vanilla and sprinkle over the cinnamon. Cook over a medium heat for about 8 to 10 minutes – stirring occasionally until the apples fork tender, but have not completely softened or collapsed.

1. In a large bowl combine the oats, almond flour, cinnamon, vanilla and cold Earth Balance butter, then rub ingredients together with your fingers to combine, until the mixture looks like breadcrumbs.
2. Place the apple mixture into a suitable sized baking dish, then scatter the crumble over the top. Pop in to the oven and bake for 30 – 40 minutes or until the crumble is golden.
3. Remove from the oven and serve with apple cider cream.

1. Whisk together the ingredients for the apple cider sauce, place over a high heat and allow to boil until you have reduced the sauce by half, strain and serve.

_{Nutrition Information:  350 Calories, 11g Fat, 20mg Sodium, 7g Fiber, 5g Protein}

Published January 1, 2018