Autumn dessert means apple harvest time!
It’s apple harvest season again and I’m gorging on my favorite varieties. I usually use raw Granny smith apples for a tangy salad, Fuji and Gala apples for salads, and, sweet and crisp Honeycrisp apples for desserts. I can’t get enough of apple cider and soda water to drink and healthy apple desserts. Apples are loaded with vitamins and antioxidants, like all fruits, and fiber which makes you feel fuller longer. If you’re trying not to overeat, have and apple and a glass of water to keep you satisfied between meals.
An apple dessert that’s a snack, too!
It can be both, and it’s even great for breakfast! In a classic apple crisp dessert, it’s usually loaded with butter and brown sugar inside and on top. This still has natural sugar with one of the sweetest apple varieties, but, the healthy fat is limited to a generous variety of nuts. And, by adding in the chopped raisins and spices with the nuts makes it more satisfying and lends a bit more sweetness.
Apple crisp dessert is tasty for entertaining, but, easy enough for everyday.
When you have a big group of friends or family over, you’ll have this versatile, quick, and healthy treat to make. It’s lovely for brunch, too. As long as you carefully coat the apples with the orange juice, they won’t turn brown and oxidize for awhile. It looks especially festive in clear glass parfait dishes, and would be nice served in stemless or red wine glasses. You can leave it in one large dish for potlucks or family style serving, but with just an extra bit of effort, your guests will think you went to an awful lot of trouble. An extra tip, buy a pomegranate for garnishing the top and it looks especially pretty. Of course, it’s super healthy and not too sweet.
- 3-4 Honeycrisp apples, cored, chopped + extra for garnish
- ¼ C T Orange juice
- ¾ C Unsalted, preferably raw nuts; pecans, walnuts, almonds
- ¼ C Raisins
- ½ t Ground Ginger
- ½ t Ground Cinnamon
- Honey to garnish, if desired
- Put apples in a large bowl, drizzle with orange juice and toss well.
- In a food processor, combine nuts, raisins, ginger and cinnamon, process until raisins are chopped and nuts are as small as you like.
- In individual serving parfait glasses or a medium glass serving bowl, place coated apples, reserving a few to garnish.
- Smooth out the top lightly and drop nut/raisin/spice mixture evenly on the top.
- Garnish with reserved apples and drizzle top with honey if desired.
Try my other dessert recipes. Other fruits for seasonal autumn dessert recipes are pears and grapes.
