Bring on the healthy desserts to keep things in balance for the holiday season! Cashew, maple and oat-stuffed baked apples are a popular fall recipe.
It's time to put the pantry on lockdown. There is Halloween candy in the house! (Cue horror movie scream.) We bought the big Costco bag, full of many of my favorite mini chocolate bars. And the only way I can deal with having it in the house is by NOT OPENING IT until 5pm on Halloween night. "Not open = off limits" in my world.
Then again, if I completely deny myself...well, that's not good for anyone. Bitter, snarly - a perfect match for that witch costume hanging in my closet.
So, I compromise. And that is where these awesome baked apples come in. Hail to the baked apples!
The vessel itself (you know, the apple) is full of vitamins and other good nutrients (scroll down to A Helping of Health for details), so that's a good start. What really makes or breaks baked apples on the "health" scale is what you put inside.
I started by cutting the apples in half because, for me, a full stuffed apple is more than I need for a snack or dessert. The only part I scooped out was the core, leaving the rest of the apple intact.
What I decided to stuff the apple was inspired by what was inside my pantry. NOT the Halloween candy.
Cashews, cinnamon, oats and maple syrup. I could have added in some butter or brown sugar, but I was looking for a more natural sweetener and I found that the syrup glued everything together, making the butter somewhat unnecessary.
I opted them in the oven and 25 minutes later, we were treated to a satisfying, perfectly sweet dessert. By all means, serve the stuffed apples with some frozen yogurt or plain yogurt if want an extra dollop of creaminess.
A Helping of Health:
We've heard it since we were little. "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." While that is just a fun saying to toss around when your kid insists that candy is truly the best thing for him, there's some truth behind it.
- Apples are a powerhouse source of Vitamin C. However, take note that most of that Vitamin C is stored near the skin, so eat the peel whenever possible.
- Doctors keep telling us to eat more fiber, which helps to prevent heart disease (amongst other things). Apples contain both soluble and insoluble fiber. Plus, fiber makes us full for longer, which can help ward off cravings for junk food. (I need all the help I can get!)
- Antioxidants are the nutrients that help to reduce the risks of certain cancers. Wouldn't you know that apples are chockfull of antioxidants?
Other healthy apple recipes:
Blackberry and Apple Crumble
Whole Wheat Apple Spice Muffins
Spaghetti Squash with Apples & Toasted Pecans
Printable Recipe
Light Maple Cashew Baked Apples
Ingredients
- 2 large Braeburn apples
- â…“ cup oats gluten-free brand, if desired
- â…“ cup raw cashews chopped
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- â…› teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a small bowl, stir together the oats, cashews, maple syrup, cinnamon and salt.
- Cut the apples in half through the stem. Using a paring knife and small spoon, scoop out the core.
- Divide the oat mixture evenly between the apple halves.
- Place the apples in a baking dish filled with ¼-inch water.
- Bake until the apples are tender when pierced with a fork, 25 to 30 minutes. Serve.
Notes
Recipe found on cookincanuck.com
Nutrition
Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Sherri@The Well Floured Kitchen
My husband absolutely cannot handle an open bag, the candies disappear super fast. I (usually) can do it in moderation, so I hide the open bags and enjoy them slowly. Of course, this may mean I need to buy more for tomorrow- we have a huge neighborhood. I absolutely love these apples, they are a wonderfully healthy treat to help us all out of the sugar comas. Pinned 🙂
Jennifer+@+Show+Me+the+Yummy
Love the healthy option! I'm not sure how you can even HAVE that bag of candy in your house without sneaking pieces. I couldn't keep it closed 😉
Mandy @Mandy's Recipe Box
This looks delicious! You can actually see the flavors of fall 🙂
Catherine
A beautiful and healthy sweet treat. Catherine
Amy @Very Culinary
I've lost count of all candy I've been through already. BUT, I started experimenting in July. Food bloggers get a pass, right? I got married in October. In an apple orchard. So, naturally I love this...and those photos are gorgeous!!
Amanda
I love your compromise! Its the perfect way to handle those pesky chocolate bars! 🙂
claire+@+the+realistic+nutritionist
Such gorgeous photos!!! <3
Christie - Food Done Light
I just opened the Halloween candy. So far I've limited my consumption. This baked apples would definitely win over candy. They would so delicious.
Sarah Walker Caron (Sarah's Cucina Bella)
So, I have been trying to decide on a vegan dessert to bring to a Halloween gathering tomorrow, and this is so absolutely perfect! Thank you! Cannot wait to try 'em.
Millie l Add A Little
This is such a cute idea and I bet kids would go crazy for it with a dollop of greek yoghurt!