Gluten Free Autumn Desserts and Treats Part 3 Lower Sugar Apple Crisp

There is a story behind this dessert - in a pinch, I needed a quick and delicious recipe  to serve for a holiday dinner, but had not yet used my Freeze Dried Granny Smith Apples for an apple crisp.  I pulled out my "Old-faithful" recipe and realized I have changed since I made that one last - I don't eat much sugar or sweetener any more.  And when I do make desserts, I really do prefer them to be less sweet than what others will like.  I wanted a wonderful flavor, but a dessert that is a little bit better for you than a traditional apple crisp. 

By comparison, my original recipe used a whopping 3/4 cup of sugar and only 1/2 cup of oats!!!  So I jumped in, threw things into the bowl and, because I have finally learned to keep pen and paper handy when creating, I wrote down each ingredient as I measured.  For us, this one had just the right amount of sweet which left the Apple crisp with a great sweet-tart flavor with the crumble topping and the Freeze Dried Granny Smith apples. You could add more sugar if you like things that way, but try it once this way first and see what you think!



Gluten Free, Lower Sugar Apple Crisp
4 Servings (Can be doubled and baked in a larger dish for more servings)

4 Cups Freeze Dried Granny Smith Apple Slices
Enough water to rehydrate to a soft, but not squishy, apple slice. Baking will dry them out a bit so you want to add just a little more (approx 1-2 Tbsp) than is called for on the can. Pour the water over the apples in a plastic dish, place lid on top tightly and set aside.  Gently shake every now and then to evenly rehydrate.

In a separate bowl, Mix together:

1 Cup Quick Oats
2 Tbsp Ground Flax Seed
1 Tbsp Ground Chia Seeds
3 Tbsp butter, SOFT, not melted!
1 tsp Cinnamon
heaping 1/8 Cup Brown sugar (I also added 1/2 Tbsp molasses for a more intense flavor)
1/2 Cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Butter a small baking dish (about 8 inch round) and place your rehydrated apples evenly across the bottom of the pan. If you like a thicker apple layer, you can add additional rehydrated apples. Gently sprinkle the crumble mixture on top of the apples, trying to spread evenly and covering the apples as much as possble so they do not brown in baking. Place in a preheated 350 degree oven for 20 minutes. Remove from oven, allow to cool. Serve room temperature with some whipped cream, ice cream, caramel sauce, or just plain! Goes great with a cup of hot coffee or a mug of hot tea.