This Paleo apple dessert is a perfect gluten-free treat for the holidays or any other time really. Easy to make and only a few ingredients! Dairy-free, Nut-free, and Vegan options indicated as well.

Perhaps you'll have company in town over the holidays?

You'll probably go out to eat a few times, but most likely will eat at home a few times as well. Due to tradition, you probably have the recipes for the big days, like Thanksgiving and Christmas, covered, but what about the other nights? You want to impress those in-laws with your mad cooking skills and delicious creations, right?

However, you don't want them to get automatically turned off because you are serving them something that is “Paleo” or “gluten-free” or GASP – “healthy”.

NATURALLY GLUTEN-FREE AND PALEO

One surefire way to impress is to end a dinner with a tantalizing dessert that is NATURALLY gluten-free and Paleo. No need to disclose that these are compliant with some diet that your guests might incorrectly judge is tasteless and full of cardboard-like meals.

These baked apples are one such dessert. The ooey gooey cinnamon and nutmeg topping oozes out of the apples and fills your house with the most delightful, warming scent. Plus on the scale of difficulty, these are pretty much one of the easiest things you can make.

EASY TO MAKE AHEAD!!

You can even prepare these a day or two ahead of time, store in the fridge, and then just bake while you are eating dinner. And your guests won't even know that they are Paleo. Imagine just sitting down to serve dinner and as you are wrapping up, the amazing smell of cinnamon and nutmeg wafting from your kitchen. Who is the hero now? Seriously though, these are a wonderful, simple dessert and even if you just have them in the middle of July for a normal dessert with just your dog they'd be great.

Oh, and use red apples with this. The granny smith (green apples) are a bit sour to use. Go with sweet and your tastebuds (and mother-in-law) will thank you.

EASY TO CUSTOMIZE FOR ALLERGIES AND OTHER DIETS

The recipe below gives some options for making this completely dairy-free, as well as a nut-free option. If you want to make it Vegan, just change out the butter for coconut oil and use maple syrup instead of the honey.

Here's a Facebook Live video I did showing how to make these (watch it on YouTube):

Also make sure to check out my Ginger Baked Pears recipe for another simple yet delicious naturally Paleo dessert.

Baked Apple Dessert

Author: Michele Spring

Servings: 4 servings

This Paleo apple dessert is a perfect gluten-free treat for the holidays or any other time really. Easy to make and only a few ingredients! Dairy-free, Nut-free, AIP, and Vegan options indicated as well.

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Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 40 mins

Total Time 55 mins

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 4 Apples
• 3 tbs Raisins
• 1/2 cup Walnuts chopped *
• 2 tbs Butter Ghee, or Coconut Oil
• 1/4 cup Honey or Maple Syrup for Vegan
• 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
• 2 tsp Cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp Nutmeg

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 350 F.
• Core the apples, making a pocket in the center of the apple.
• Melt the butter and honey in a small saucepan over medium heat.
• Add the cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract and stir to incorporate.
• Add in the walnuts and raisins and mix.
• Divide the filling evenly among the apples, filling the holes you created earlier by coring. I usually use the handle of a spoon to poke the filling into the pocket. Drizzle any remaining filling over the apples.
• Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake until the apples are soft, approximately 40 minutes.

Notes

• For a nut-free option, you can use sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds.
• For a fully AIP-compliant option, use tigernuts (either sliced or whole) and Coconut Oil instead of Butter or Ghee and Mace instead of Nutmeg
• For a Vegan option use Coconut Oil instead of butter or ghee and maple syrup instead of honey
• For a dairy-free option use Coconut Oil instead of butter or ghee

Course: Dessert

Did you make this recipe?Leave a comment below or share a photo on Instagram and tag me @thrivingonpaleo !

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