Baked apples are a classic fall dessert and this version is made sweeter (and more nutritious) with pecans. Combine pecans, brown sugar and fresh apple slices for a comforting dessert that can be served on its own or alongside ice cream.
INGREDIENTS
1 cup raw pecan pieces
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room-temperature
1 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
5 apples, cored and cut in half
3 1/3 cups vanilla ice cream, for serving (optional)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Butter a 9-inch-by-13-inch casserole dish.
In a bowl, combine pecans, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and kosher salt. Stir to combine. Using a fork, cut the butter into the brown sugar mixture until it resembles pea-sized crumbs.
Add the apple halves to the prepared casserole dish. Evenly sprinkle the brown sugar mixture over the top of the apples. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake, covered, for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the apples are tender.
Serve warm. If you’d like, top each apple with around 2/3 cup ice cream and a generous drizzle of the caramelized brown sugar mixture at the bottom of the pan.
Using 3-ingredient mini pecan crusts as your base, these light and springy lemon berry tarts are flavorful individual desserts perfect for your next gathering.
Ingredients
Mini Pecan Crusts
2 cups pecan pieces or halves
2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 cup butter, melted
Lemon Filling
1/2 cup lemon curd
1/2 cup berries (blueberries or raspberries)
Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
Instructions
Make the mini pecan crusts: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a mini muffin tin with paper liners or spray with non-stick spray.
Add pecans, butter, and sugar to a food processor. Blend until mixture comes together to form a coarse dough.
Scoop about 2 teaspoons of the pecan mixture in each muffin tin. Use the back of a wooden spoon or your fingers to press mixture evenly along the bottom and up the sides of each muffin cup.
Bake for 12 minutes or until crusts are golden brown. Allow crusts to cool completely before removing them from pan.
Assemble crusts: Spoon 1 teaspoon of lemon curd into each mini pecan crust. Top with 1 raspberry or 3 small blueberries. Dust with powdered sugar if desired. Makes 24 crusts.
With just a few simple ingredients, whip up these cherry pecan energy bites in under 10 minutes for a nutritious, power-packed snack! Chock full of super foods including pecans, cherries and oats – they’re deliciously packed with nutrients.
Ingredients
1 cup toasted pecan halves or pieces
1 cup dried cherries
4 medjool dates, pitted
1/4 cup old-fashioned oats
1 tablespoon cacao powder, plus more for coating
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Add all of the ingredients to the bowl of a food processor.
Pulse until the ingredients begin to bind and form a loose dough-like ball.
Roll into 1-inch balls. Roll the balls in cacao powder (optional) and transfer to an airtight container. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Makes 10 to 12 energy bites.
Notes
To make this recipe gluten-free, substitute 1/4 cup of certified gluten-free old-fashioned oats.
The energy balls will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
These kid-friendly banana pops are the perfect sweet treat (and superfood snack) to have on hand! Dipped in dark chocolate and crunchy pecans – they’ll satisfy your sweet tooth in a nutritious way.
Ingredients
3 large bananas
8 ounces dark chocolate, roughly chopped
1 teaspoon coconut or pecan oil (optional)*
1 cup toasted pecan pieces
6 popsicle sticks
INSTRUCTIONS
Line a baking sheet with wax or parchment paper.
Melt the chocolate, and oil if using, in a double boiler or in the microwave until smooth.
Peel and cut each banana in half. Place a popsicle stick in each half.
Dip each banana half into the melted chocolate, allowing the excess to drip off, and then dip into the chopped pecans. Place the banana on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat the same process with the remaining banana halves.
Transfer the baking sheet to the freezer and allow the bananas to chill for at least 4 hours. The bananas will stay fresh in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 7 days.
