Cozy Baked Apple Crunch: A Healthy Fall Treat
By Dr. Cindy Tanzar
As the leaves turn and the air gets crisp, nothing quite captures the essence of autumn like the warm combination of apples and cinnamon. This Baked Apple Crunch recipe is an inviting dessert that not only satisfies your seasonal cravings but also provides a delicious, nutty crunch without the refined sugars and flours typically found in apple crisp recipes. You don’t have to sacrifice flavor for health; all it takes is a little ingredient transformation!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This dish brings you the classic flavors of fall in a wholesome way. With tender apples, a rich syrup, and a crunchy topping, it’s perfect for a cozy evening at home or as a delightful finish to a family meal. Best of all, it’s quick and easy to make!
Servings: This recipe makes 2 servings, but it can easily be scaled up if you’re entertaining or looking for leftovers!
Ingredients
- 2 medium/large Granny Smith apples (peeled or unpeeled), cored and sliced into 1/2-inch slices
- 16 walnuts or pecans, chopped (your choice!)
- 4 tbsp Kerry Gold butter, melted
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract (or maple extract for a different flavor)
- 1-2 tbsp granulated or brown Swerve, to taste (optional)
Directions
- Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures that your dessert bakes evenly.
- Prepare the Apples: Layer the sliced apples in a 9-inch baking dish or pie plate. Whether you choose to peel them or not is up to your preference—both options taste delicious!
- Mix the Topping: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the chopped walnuts or pecans, melted butter, ground cinnamon, vanilla extract, and Swerve (if using). Mix everything well to create a cohesive topping.
- Assemble the Crunch: Sprinkle the nut mixture evenly over the layered apples, ensuring that it covers them nicely for an even distribution of flavor.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes. Halfway through (around the 20-minute mark), give the apples a little stir to ensure they’re well-coated and to check the tenderness.
- Check for Doneness: The dish is ready when the topping is golden brown, and the apples are tender but not mushy. If you like a crisper topping, feel free to bake a few extra minutes!
Enjoy Your Baked Apple Crunch!
Once baked, let your Baked Apple Crunch cool slightly before serving. This dish is delightful on its own or can be paired with a dollop of yogurt or a scoop of ice cream for an extra treat.
This wholesome dessert proves that enjoying fall flavors while eating clean is entirely possible. So, grab those apples and embrace the season with this easy, delicious recipe that’s sure to become a favorite!