Here is one Healthy Dessert Recipe that actually should be made at least a day or even two days before serving. These great apple squares need time to allow the apples to work their magic, which is to moisten them.
The trick is to bake this apple square recipe and after cooling, cover the pan with plastic wrap. That's the beginning of the magic; now, let them sit until the next day. If you check them the next day and you would still like more moistness, keep them covered for another day. You will notice more and more of the moisture from the apples seeping up into the topping. These little bars are nicely seasoned and are only 159 calories with 4 grams of fat. This is a healthy dessert recipe for tasty apple bars and there's no need to feel guilty about eating them.
Since this is one of our
Healthy Apple Recipes
, you might want to be a little "naughty" on occasion and top a square with 1/4 cup of vanilla ice cream. This small amount of ice cream would not in actuality add considerably to the calorie count. Maybe some fat-free, frozen yogurt could make you feel a bit indulgent even when you're not...and that's always fun, isn't it.
Ingredients
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup old-fashioned oats
1 cup packed light brown sugar
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3 tablespoons canola oil
1/4 cup apple juice concentrate, thawed
2 medium tart apples, such as Granny Smith, peeled, cored and thinly sliced
1/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
Method
Preheat oven to 350°F, and spray a 9 x 9 inch baking pan with cooking spray.
Combine flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg in a large bowl. Work in the oil and apple juice concentrate with your fingers until coarse crumbs form.
Note: Because of the small amount of oil and apple juice concentrate, letting the squares take their moisture from the apples for a day or so is advisable.
Firmly press 2 cups of the oat mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan for the bottom crust.
Spread apples evenly over the crust.
Mix walnuts into the remaining oat mixture and sprinkle this mixture evenly over the apples, and pat firmly into an even layer.
Bake until the top is golden brown and apples are tender when pierced with a sharp knife. This will take about 30 to 35 minutes.
Cool completely on a wire rack; cover with plastic wrap, and check them the next day for moistness. Like more moistness? Just replace plastic wrap and check again the next day. You will find nice, moist but crunchy, healthy and fresh apple squares.
This recipes makes 16 squares.
Nutritional Information:
per serving: 159 calories; 4 g fat; 0 g Sat; 2 g mono; 0 mg cholesterol; 29 g carbohydrates; 2 g protein; 1 g fiber; 98 mg sodium; 116 mg potassium
2 Carbohydrate Serving
If you like this healthy dessert recipe, our
Apple & Raisin Waldorf Salad
is a great choice for a delicious lunch or accompaniment for dinner some time...maybe today.
