LOW SUGAR Apple Crumble Cups

Maybe one of the upsides of mostly-blank social calendars this holiday season is the lack of sugar and alcohol-saturated cocktail parties, but the temptation to indulge in sweet treats still seems to go hand-in-hand with the holidays (and it doesn't help that so many of us are already living in our sweatpants!) This delicious dessert from Lindsay Mustard's kitchen uses the natural sweetness of gala apples and coconut sugar (with it's healthy minerals, fatty-acids and lower-glycemic index) to satisfy your sweet tooth while you forego some empty holiday calories.

• 3 medium gala apples, peeled, cored and finely sliced
• 5 tablespoons ghee or coconut oil, melted and divided
• 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, divided
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup rolled oats
• ¼ cup almond butter
• 2 tbsp coconut sugar

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F and grease an 8X8 baking dish.
2. In a large saucepan, melt 1 tbsp of ghee over low heat. Add the apples, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder, a pinch of sea salt and a ¼ cup of water and cook on lower for 7-8 minutes, or until the apples are soft and the water has evaporated.
3. In a large bowl, combine the oats, almond butter, ghee, cinnamon, coconut sugar and vanilla. Mix with your hands until the ghee and sugar are well incorporated.
4. Transfer the apples to the baking dish and top with the oat mixture -crumble the dough evenly and gently pat down.
5. Bake for 20 minutes or until the crumble is golden brown.
6. Serve with vanilla ice cream or coconut whipped cream!

Lindsay Mustard is a Holistic Nutritionist, Yoga Instructor and recipe-wizard with a burning passion for health and fitness. In her nutrition practice, Lindsay works with clients to craft a unique plan that is tailored to their specific health goals using a natural, whole food and supplement approach.