NutriSimple-style baked apple

Crunchy, melty, and fragrant, this baked apple combines the natural sweetness of the fruit with the crunch of pecans and the warmth of cinnamon. A simple, comforting dessert, perfect for ending a meal on a sweet note.

Ingredients

• 1 medium apple (e.g. Cortland, Spartan)
• 1 tbsp packed brown cane sugar
• ¼ tsp ground cinnamon (Ceylon is more fragrant)
• 1 tbsp chopped pecans
• ½ tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 scoop vanilla ice cream
• A few chopped pecans
• Quality caramel (optional)

Preparation

Place rack in the centre of the oven. Preheat the oven to 180 °C (350 °F).

Wash the apple and core it using an apple corer, without piercing the bottom to retain the juice during cooking.

In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon. Fill the core of the apple with this mixture, then add the pecans and place a pat of butter on top.

Place the apple in a small oven-safe dish. Bake for about 30 minutes, until tender and slightly caramelized.

Serve the apple warm, cut in half, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and crushed pecans. For a restaurant-style dessert finale, add a touch of caramel, if desired.


NutriSimple Tip

For a more protein-packed and different version:

• Replace the ice cream with Greek yogurt. 
• Use coconut sugar or a drizzle of maple syrup instead of brown sugar.
• Add a pinch of rolled oats to the filling for more fibre and texture.

 

Thanks to our photographer Erika Lajeunesse.