This Caramel Apple Crisp is filled with a gooey, naturally sweetened caramel sauce and topped with a wholesome oat topping! With only 8 ingredients, this secretly healthier dessert will be on repeat all season long!
This year is about pushing the limits. Moving beyond my comfort zone. They say that is where success happens, right?
I have had highs and lows. Figuring out my health by working with a holistic doctor and focusing on real food, real ingredients. To reprioritizing my life and realizing I am no longer a full time food blogger. I am a Mom. First and foremost. And I wouldn’t have it any other way!
I am beyond lucky that I am able to stay home with my little guy and still live out my dream! But some days, I am just flat out exhausted. Overwhelmed by my neverending to-do list. I thank my Type A, hyperactive personality for that! But rather than taking an afternoon off, I find myself powering through only leading to more anxiety at the items I didn’t get crossed off my list.
But this past August, when I took the month off, I realized how rejuvenating taking a moment to breath can be for the soul. The days where I wasn’t controlled on knocking out one more recipe or rearranging our schedule based on when the light is best for my photo shoots. I was for once, that Mom, that took Aiden to the park almost daily, we visited girlfriends for play dates. I felt as I lived a normal life for once!
What I have learned is that I enjoy having a creative outlet. I have endless ideas for the blog, and I would feel as a part of me is missing if I didn’t have the blog to fall back on. Having an outlet to let my creativity fly and something to call my own. A fire is ignited when I feel like I have a hold on my life.
Long story short, I am striving for balance in my life. The line of being a kick butt boss lady to a kick butt momma to Aiden. There is balance. And I am on the road to finding it. I am working on the daily actions, that will hopefully become second nature. I find peace in working out daily, making dinner for my family and ensuring our house is organized. But I am working on those moments when life doesn’t go as planned. Because life goes on. The same recipes will be a waiting for me tomorrow. And there are more books to read with Aiden!
I had no intentions in pouring my heart out, but as I mentioned above, I am stepping out of my comfort zone this year. And part of that is sharing my heart and what is on my mind with you! So thank you for joining me on this journey!
Now that we had our heart to heart, let’s dive into our first fall-inspired recipe! And this Caramel Apple Crisp I have been DYING to share with you!
For so long, my creativity would flow when I was running. Strange but I once read that the mind is more creative when in motion. I completely agree because there are countless recipes on this blog that came to mind mid run! Like this caramelized butternut squash and roasted grape salad. It’s filled with fall flavors that I make every Thanksgiving!
Since diving into my food allergy testing, sugar was removed from my diet. With the exception of natural sugars, such as maple syrup, honey, and coconut sugar. To be honest, I wasn’t sad to see that one go knowing the health benefits of giving up sugar. It forced me to get even more creative in the kitchen and let me tell you, I am ecstatic about the recipes that are coming out now. Before I revamped my kitchen, I liked the sweets but I wasn’t in love. Nowadays? I can’t get enough! Plus there is no guilt because, with wholesome ingredients, I know a splurge is good for the soul! Case in point: No Bake Salted Caramel Chocolate Oat Bars.
It would be a crime to let fall slip away without indulging in an apple dessert! Since the idea of making a pie gives me anxiety, crisps are my saving grace. Not only do I have a love affair with caramelized cinnamon topping but this dessert is stupid simple. If baking is not your thing, then this dessert is for you. No need to worry about the apples getting to juicy or the crust being soggy. The juicier the better here.
Now onto the best part. The fact that there is caramel IN with the apples. As in sweet, gooey, buttery like caramel sauce mixed with the apples. Then baked to sugary perfection! While on my run about two months ago, I was reading my Food Network magazine (yes, I read about food while running!), I saw a caramel apple cake recipe. I start drooling but realized that recipe needed quite a bit of revamping since gluten, sugar, dairy and eggs are a no-go currently for me. Then it hit me. Take my favorite three ingredient caramel sauce, mix it with some apples and top it with a cinnamon oatmeal crust!
The caramel sauce is the same as on these donuts and the sauce that won over everyone’s heart on the salted chocolate oat bars and this paleo skillet blondie! I am beyond obsessed with it. It is extremely versatile and requires no cooking! No need to melt down butter and sugar on the stove top. Simply add coconut oil, almond butter and maple syrup in a blender and puree. Within seconds, you have a dangerously delicious caramel sauce.
Spoon. Caramel sauce. Mouth. Repeat.
This Caramel Apple Crisp is refined sugar-free, gluten free, dairy free, and only requires 8 ingredients! The best part of embarking on my food allergy test is not only being able to make insanely indulgent desserts that fit the bill for myself, but also to make healthier choices for my friends and family!
That is what I like to call soul food!
meal prep tips:
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this Caramel Apple Crisp is perfect to make ahead of time and bake later, or even make ahead then reheat before serving! It is the best warm, so place back in oven to reheat or in the microwave (in a microwave safe bowl, of course!)
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you can prepare the topping ahead of time then store in a sealed container to make assembly easier!
This Caramel Apple Crisp is filled with a gooey, naturally sweetened caramel sauce and topped with a wholesome oat topping! With only 8 ingredients, this secretly healthier dessert will be on repeat all season long!
15 minPrep Time
45 minCook Time
1 hrTotal Time
Yields 8
Save RecipeIngredients
- 4 medium apples, peeled, cored and sliced thin
- Caramel:
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
- 1/3 cup almond butter
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- Topping:
- 1 1/2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
- 1/3 cup coconut sugar (or brown sugar)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup melted coconut oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 10 inch cast iron skillet, round baking dish or a 9x9 baking dish with coconut oil or nonstick cooking spray.
- Caramel: In a blender, combine the coconut oil, almond butter and maple syrup. Blend until mixed well and smooth. Toss with apples. Place apples in the prepared baking dish, layering evenly.
- Topping:In a medium bowl, whisk together the oats, coconut sugar (or brown sugar), cinnamon, salt and coconut oil.
- Sprinkle over the apples.
- Place in preheated oven and bake for 45 mins, or until apples are hot and the oat topping is crispy.
Notes
*Recipe modified from my Vanilla Triple Berry Crisp
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