I have a well-known penchant for ALL desserts that involve baked apples. Simply said, there’s a very special place in my baker’s heart for apple pie, apple crisp, apple tarts, apple muffins… you name it! the list goes on… and on! There’s nothing better than the dispersing smell of warm, cinnamon-dusted apples, with a little nutmeg sprinkle. I wish I could bottle up that scent and share it with you all. They should totally make apple pie scented candles, I am 100% behind that.
Around 30 years ago, I started baking with my mama and grandmother Jeannette… I was a super-curious, red-haired, wide-eyed girl, eager to learn all the “family pie crust secrets” from the very best bakers I know. They taught me everything I share with you guys today, and I love experimenting with ingredients to make my recipes “better for you” while still honoring their exceptional taste standards. These women did not mess around with pie crust,
But for all intents and purposes, I decided to bake an apple crisp because even the most novice baker will be tempted to give this unassuming little recipe a try. It’s an incredibly easy, satisfying, and foolproof dessert that might just change the way you think about baking. All you’re doing is preparing a simple fruit filling and an oat-and-spelt crumble topping, then layering one over the other. That’s it. Really.
This apple crisp is made with ALL good things and subs out some of the traditional ingredients for much healthier alternatives. But here’s the disclaimer; it does NOT lack in taste…nope! it’s deliciously indulgent! The way all recipes should feel.
Instead of:
- bleached, white flour we use spelt flour (spelt is an ancient grain, much like quinoa, and it’s highly nutritious, makes a kick-ass pizza dough and its easier to digest than wheat)
- traditional butter, we use melted coconut oil or vanilla ghee (ghee is clarified butter that is lactose free and easier on the stomach)
- brown sugar, we use coconut sugar which is lower on the glycemic index and won’t make your blood sugar levels spike and then crash shortly thereafter
- instead of highly processed/instant oats we use old-fashioned, rolled oats which have the best texture for apple crisp or crumble and some are certified gluten-free
Deliciously Healthy Apple Crisp
Ingredients:
Fruit Filling
- 6 apples (peeled, cored & cut into chunks)
- 2 Tbsp of real maple syrup or raw honey
- 1/3 cup of coconut sugar
- 1 Tbsp of pure vanilla extract (I love Madagascar vanilla!)
- 1/2 tsp of cardamom
- 1/2 tsp of nutmeg
- 1 tsp of cinnamon
- 1/3 cup of golden raisins (optional, but SO good!)
Topping
- 1 cup spelt flour
- 3/4 cup (gluten-free) old-fashioned rolled oats (large-flakes)
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar
- 1/3 cup + 2 Tbsp melted butter, coconut oil OR vanilla ghee
- pinch of sea salt
- 1 Tbsp coconut sugar (to sprinkle the top right before it goes into the oven)
Substitutions
- For gluten-free options= substitute 1 cup of spelt flour for 1 cup of super fine almond flour
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350F
- Wash, peel, core & slice the apples. I cut them in half right across the middle and then use each 1/2 to cut vertically & then across to create apple chunks as opposed to apple slices. I find apple chunks are thicker and hold the fruit base far better.
- Mix and toss the apple chunks, real maple syrup, coconut sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, cardamom & nutmeg to ensure and even coating.
- Place the fruit filling on a pie dish (that’s been sprayed with coconut oil)
- In a separate bowl, mix all the dry ingredients for the topping: spelt flour, coconut sugar, & oats. Once well-mixed, incorporate the coconut oil & mix until it’s evenly absorbed.
- A nice, doughy paste will form, use clean hands to firmly press the mixture over the apples sitting on the pie dish.
- I like to always sprinkle some coconut sugar (about 1 tbsp) across the top to ensure it caramelizes/browns nicely.
- Bake for about 50 minutes or until golden brown and you see the edges bubbling with filling.
- Enjoy warm with a dollop of dairy-free coconut or vanilla ice cream OR with freshly made coconut whipped cream!
By: Aleyda | The Dish On Healthy
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