Looking for delicious and healthy dessert ideas to tide you over during the holiday season? What about apple crisp –one of the easiest desserts to make; perfect for both beginner and advanced chefs.
I developed this gluten free Gingerbread Apple Crisp recipe for Shirley Braden’s blogging event, Home for the Holidays Gluten-Free Style. Every day, from Monday, November 28 through Friday, December 23, a different blogger will share a gluten-free recipe that means both home and the holidays to them. Here’s more from Shirley:
Our Home for the Holidays Gluten-Free Style blogging event offers the comfort, joy, excitement, and fun of the holidays with wonderful recipes from your favorite bloggers.
A special thanks to Shirley for including me in the event. If you are in the Fredericksburg, VA area, be sure to check out the gluten intolerance/celiac support group that she runs where they discuss topics such as celiac disease, the gluten free diet and how to survive the holidays.
This time of year can be challenging and filled with dietary dilemmas. How do we stay connected to, and feel a part of, the festivities yet remain true to what our bodies need when our visual and olfactory senses are inundated by foods that might not be part of our regular program?
If you are on a special diet, this gluten free, grain free Paleo friendly dessert recipe will likely work for you. Further, I like this Gingerbread Apple Crisp because it’s festive enough to bring to a party (or serve to guests in your own home) and also healthy enough for those needing to stay away from certain foods (sugar, gluten and dairy come to mind).
Gingerbread Apple Crisp
Ingredients
- 8 cups sliced Braeburn apples (peeled, cored, and sliced)
- ½ cup blanched almond flour (not almond meal)
- 2 tablespoons brown flaxmeal
- ¼ teaspoon celtic sea salt
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 2 tablespoons palm shortening
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Place sliced apples in a 2 quart baking dish
- Set apples aside
- In a large bowl, combine almond flour, flax, salt, spices
- Mix in shortening, honey and vanilla
- Work mixture with your hands until it forms a dough
- Gently work in chopped pecans with your hands
- Sprinkle dough over chopped apples
- Bake covered at 350°F for 60-75 minutes
- Remove from oven, and allow to cool uncovered
- Serve
For extra holiday flare, serve this apple crisp with the Vegan Coconut Whip recipe in my latest book, Gluten-Free Cupcakes.
Shirley @ gfe says
Such a lovely recipe, Elana. I always look to you for these simple, satisfying recipes and you don’t disappoint, dear. This one definitely says “home” and “holidays” to me and is a perfect addition to our Home for the Holidays … Gluten-Free Style event. :-) Thanks so much for both joining in and for being such a generous sponsor!
xo,
Shirley
Carol says
That looks yummy thanks!!
Sarah L says
I love apples and this looks fabulous! This would be great in the fall, too, when I’m getting my apples straight from the orchard. Can’t wait to try this!
Joy says
This looks delicious, and it’s paleo-friendly! Thanks for bringing this comfort food back to our home in a new way.
Sue says
I don’t think I can simplify. Gluten and dairy free is new to me and my family don’t feel they should have to change. Going to be an interesting experience. I need to make things that will open their eyes to healthy eating.
dee m. says
ooooooh my this looks so yummy… my husband just asked a couple hours ago, when he finishes off his birthday cake, can I make him an apple crisp.. this Gingerbread Apple Crisp will knock his socks off!! :) thank you so much.. I just made some homemade vanilla extract.. that will make it extra special…
AJ says
This looks SO good! Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Sue Friend says
Am in the 80’s club. We never had the gluten problem in our day. Seems everything was edible and in some cases during the depression were lucky to have food. Of Course we all had our own gardens then. I stumbled on to your site and have actually tried some of the recipes. Will be using the gluten free pie crust for a black bottom pie this weekend. My neighbors were extatic over some squares I shared with them from your site. Keep up the wonderful work as I have always liked trying new recipes. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Sue
Catherine says
looks so good! Which to make first? This or the ginger cookies? Life is so full of hard decisions!!!
shannon Lewis says
Looks so yummy! I love apples and gingerbread crisp to boot! This is a HAVE to try! Thanks for sharing!