Leena Watts
Apples are a versatile ingredient in desserts, and can be used in a variety of sweet treats, from cakes and pies to crisps and crumbles. While apple desserts can be indulgent, there are ways to make them healthier. For example, you can use less sugar, or substitute it with maple syrup, honey, or agave nectar. You can also use whole wheat flour and add ground flaxseeds, chopped walnuts, and other nuts to boost the nutritional value. If you're looking for a low-calorie option, there are apple dessert recipes with fewer than 250 calories per serving.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of dessert | Bread, pudding, cupcakes, cake, muffins, cookies, crisp, crumble, pie, fritters |
| Ingredients | Apples, butter, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, lemon juice, maple syrup, honey, cornstarch, arrowroot powder, almonds, almond flour, rolled oats, shredded coconut, coconut oil, coconut sugar, pecans, walnuts, blueberries, raisins, craisins, apple sauce |
| Preparation | Baked, sautéed, fried, mixed, simmered, greased, whisked, layered |
| Dietary considerations | Gluten-free, dairy-free, low-fat, low-sugar, vegan |
| Number of servings | 24 cupcakes |
| Calories | Under 200 or 250 per serving |
| Fat content | 10 grams per serving |
| Additional characteristics | Moist, spiced, sweet, crunchy, crispy, tender, nutty, fruity, sticky, buttery |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Healthy apple crisp
This healthy apple crisp recipe is a delicious dessert that is naturally sweetened and covered in a crispy and crunchy topping. It is a perfect comfort food to share with family and friends during the fall season.
Ingredients
- Honeycrisp apples (or Granny Smith)
- Lemon juice
- Maple syrup
- Cornstarch
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Almonds, finely chopped
- Almond flour or rolled oats
- Shredded coconut, unsweetened
- Coconut oil, softened at room temperature
- Coconut sugar
- Salt
- Walnuts, pecans, or other nuts of your choice
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Generously grease an 8x8 baking pan with nonstick cooking spray or coconut oil.
- Prepare the apple filling by washing, drying, coring, and dicing the apples into small pieces.
- In a large bowl, toss the apples with lemon juice, maple syrup, cornstarch, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Pour the apple mixture into the greased baking dish.
- Prepare the crisp topping by combining the flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and nuts in a separate bowl.
- Add the softened coconut oil or butter to the topping mixture and use your hands to squeeze and combine until it resembles wet sand.
- Bake the apple crisp for 25 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and sprinkle the crisp topping over the apples.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake for another 25-30 minutes, or until the apples have softened and the topping is golden brown.
- Let the apple crisp cool before serving.
Tips and Variations
- Sprinkle walnuts or fresh blueberries on the crust for extra crunch and flavour.
- For a vegan option, use coconut oil instead of butter and serve with vegan ice cream.
- To make it nut-free, use rolled oats and oat flour instead of almond flour.
- This dessert can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Serve warm with vanilla bean ice cream, whipped cream, yogurt, or enjoy it on its own!
Diabetic Diet: Counting Exchanges for Balanced Meals
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![Rustic Fruit Desserts: Crumbles, Buckles, Cobblers, Pandowdies, and More [A Cookbook]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/716yCVU7rnL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Apple pie
Ingredients:
- Apples: Choose a variety that holds up well to baking and has a balance of sweetness and tartness, such as Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Braeburn, or Granny Smith.
- Whole wheat flour or all-purpose flour
- Butter: You can use regular butter or vegan alternatives like coconut oil.
- Sweeteners: Coconut sugar, maple syrup, honey, or stevia can be used instead of refined sugar.
- Spices: Cinnamon and nutmeg are essential for warming flavours. You can also add a pinch of ground ginger or allspice.
- Lemon juice: Balances the sweetness and prevents apples from browning.
- Cornstarch or arrowroot powder: Thickens the filling.
- Salt: Enhances the flavour of the pie.
Optional Ingredients:
- Nuts: Walnuts, pecans, or almonds can be added for extra crunch.
- Oats: Rolled oats or oat flour can be used for a classic crisp topping.
- Shredded coconut: Unsweetened coconut adds a nice crunch without an overpowering coconut flavour.
Instructions:
- Prepare the dough: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Cut in cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingertips until it resembles coarse crumbs. Add your chosen sweetener, a small amount of vanilla extract, and apple cider vinegar. Slowly add ice-cold water and mix until the dough comes together. Divide the dough, shape into disks, and refrigerate for at least an hour.
- Make the filling: Slice the apples and drizzle with lemon juice. Toss with your chosen sweetener, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cornstarch. You can also add a small amount of maple syrup or honey.
- Assemble the pie: Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F. Roll out the dough and place one portion into a 9-inch pie pan. Fill with the apple mixture, mounding slightly in the centre. If making a lattice crust, follow the weaving instructions for a decorative top crust.
- Bake the pie: Place the pie in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes. Reduce the temperature to 175°C/350°F and continue baking for 35-45 minutes, or until the apples are soft.
- Cool and serve: Allow the pie to cool slightly before serving. Apple pie can be served warm or at room temperature.
Tips:
- For a vegan apple pie, use coconut oil or vegan butter alternatives.
- To make the pie gluten-free, substitute regular flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
- If desired, top the pie with a scoop of coconut ice cream or vanilla ice cream.
Enjoy your delicious and healthy apple pie! This recipe is a great way to indulge in a classic dessert while making healthier choices.
Unhealthy Diets: A Trigger for Hypnotic Diseases?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Apple cake
Ingredients
- Apples: Sweet, seasonal apples like Gala, Fuji, Pink Lady, and Honeycrisp are great for baking.
- Flour: All-purpose, self-raising, or sponge flour works well. You can also use a mix of plain and whole wheat flour or gluten-free flour for a healthier option.
- Sugar: Dark brown sugar is recommended for its rich, molasses-like flavour.
- Eggs: These make the cake light and puffy.
- Oil: Neutral oils like vegetable, canola, or avocado oil add moisture and richness.
- Flavourings: Cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and a pinch of salt enhance the warm, spiced flavour.
- Baking powder and baking soda: These leavening agents give the cake a lift.
- Optional: Walnuts or other nuts for crunch, and a drizzle of nut butter for protein and healthy fats.
Method
- Peel and dice the apples into 1/4 to 1/2-inch chunks.
- Whisk together the dry ingredients in one bowl and the wet ingredients in another.
- Combine the dry and wet mixtures to form a batter, stirring in most of the diced apples while reserving some for the top.
- Transfer the batter to a greased and lined cake pan, and top with the remaining apple chunks.
- Bake for around 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool before removing it from the pan and serving.
Tips
- For a tangy twist, use Greek yogurt instead of some of the oil, and add a touch of lemon juice to the apples.
- To store, keep the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days, in the fridge for up to a week, or freeze for up to 3 months.
Can Diet Mountain Dew Clean Corroded Batteries?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Apple crumble
Here's what you'll need:
- Apples (you can use Pink Lady, Granny Smith, or your favourite variety)
- Cinnamon
- Maple syrup
- Lemon juice
- Vanilla extract
- Cornstarch
- Oats
- Almond flour or rolled oats
- Unsweetened shredded coconut
- Coconut oil or unsalted butter
First, peel and dice the apples into small cubes. Add them to a bowl and mix with cinnamon, maple syrup, and a splash of water. Pour the mixture into a small ramekin and press down to create a compact layer.
Next, prepare the crumble topping. In a separate bowl, mix together the oats, almond flour, cinnamon, shredded coconut, and coconut oil or butter. You can adjust the amounts of these ingredients based on your preference for a crunchier or crispier topping.
Now, it's time to assemble the crumble. Sprinkle the topping over the compact layer of apples in the ramekin. Bake in the oven at 350°F for 20-25 minutes, or until the apples have softened. If you're short on time, you can also cook it in the microwave for a faster option.
Your healthy apple crumble is now ready to be enjoyed! This dessert is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth while providing you with the nutritional benefits of apples and wholesome ingredients.
Dialysis Patients: Recommended Diet and Foods to Avoid
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Apple bread
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of granulated sugar
- Eggs
- Vegetable oil
- Vanilla extract
- Flour
- Cinnamon
- Salt
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Apples
- Walnuts or other nuts (optional)
Method:
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until just combined.
- Peel and chop the apples into small, uniform pieces. You can also grate the apple peel and use applesauce instead of oil for added moisture and flavour.
- Fold the apples into the batter, along with the walnuts or other nuts of your choice.
- Spoon the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
- Bake for around 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean.
- Briefly cool the bread in the pan before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
You can also experiment with different types of sugar, such as using half white sugar and half brown sugar, or adding a dash of nutmeg for extra flavour. This recipe can be made vegan and is a great way to include more fibre in your diet.
Protein Shakes for Weight Loss: A Beginner's Guide
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Some healthy apple dessert options include apple crisps, apple crumbles, apple pies, apple cakes, apple muffins, apple cookies, and apple bread.
To make a healthy apple crisp, you will need to prepare a filling and a topping. For the filling, combine diced apples with cinnamon, ginger, and coconut oil. For the topping, mix together rolled oats, almond flour, shredded coconut, coconut oil, and maple syrup. Bake the filling for 20 minutes, add the topping, and bake for another 10-20 minutes.
Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, and Cosmic Crisp apples are great options for baking. They are sweet and tart and hold up well in the oven. Granny Smith apples are also suitable for baking but may be too tart for some recipes.
To make your apple dessert healthier, consider using maple syrup, honey, or agave nectar as a natural sweetener instead of sugar. You can also add nuts, such as pecans or walnuts, for extra crunch and nutritional benefits. Additionally, using whole wheat flour or almond butter can make your dessert more nutritious.
There are several apple dessert options that have fewer than 300 calories per serving. These include apple breads, cookies, cakes, bars, and muffins. For example, you can make apple crisp, which is a lighter option than apple pie, or apple cupcakes made with whole grains and apples.
