I love, love LOVE, apple crisp, it has to be one of my all-time favorite desserts. Ahhh, the childhood memories, you’ll soon be reminded of Grandma’s house, as the scent of cinnamon fills the air. Up here in Maine, we like to use MacIntosh apples, tart, crisp and awesome, but Granny Smith apples will work nicely too. Here’s a healthier version of Grandma’s apple crisp, with more of the delicious flavors and less of the undesirable calories! Topped with crunchy oats, heart-healthy walnuts, a little brown sugar, maybe some ice cream, and that’s what I’m talkin’ about!
Absolutely perfect by itself or served with light ice cream, frozen yogurt, or whipped cream….
This is a very rich, decadent “southern style” apple spice cake, dripping with delicious, hot, homemade caramel. Of course, I had to healthy-it-up a bit (you know how I am!) by using less oil & sugar, adding whole wheat pastry flour, and heart healthy walnuts! If you LOVE cake and you love apples, then this one’s for you…
Another gorgeous fall day, the perfect kind of day for baking. Last weekend we picked some apples, lots of apples at Lakeside Orchards, and now it’s time to get busy! I wanted to do something a little different you know, not another apple pie or apple crisp. The cute little boy picking apples in the photo is my grandson David
So, preheat your oven to 350 and get started, you’re going to LOVE this cake!!!
Cake Ingredients:
2 cups sugar (or a substitute)
3 eggs
1 cup canola oil (or light olive oil)
1/2 cup apple sauce
1 tbs. of vanilla
1 1/2 cups *white wheat flour
1 1/2 cups *whole wheat pastry flour (find it at a health food store)
1 tsp. cinnamon
pinch of nutmeg
pinch of salt
1 cup chopped walnuts (toasted)
3 cups diced apples (I used MacIntosh)
* You can substitute oat or gluten-free flours
Topping
3/4 cup butter (sub. Smart Balance)
2 cups brown sugar (or sweetener of choice)
1/4 cup milk or fat-free cream
1 cup walnuts (chopped and toasted)
Pinch of salt
Directions:
1. Lightly spray and flour a bundt pan or 13 X 9 baking pan.
2. Cream together sugar, eggs, oil and vanilla.
3. Add flour, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.
4. Stir in apples and walnuts.
5. Spread batter into pan, bake at 350 degrees for 45-60 min. (check with a toothpick)
6. When the cake is done, make several deep holes in it with a knife (for topping)
Topping: Heat the butter sugar and milk over medium heat. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly for 2 min. Pour topping over warm cake and ENJOY!!!
*You may want to add a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
