Healthy Recipes For Autumn and the Holidays: We are rapidly approaching that wonderful time of year that brings family and friends together. This means the delicious smell of apple, cinnamon and pumpkin filling the air in the house and warming the heart! I don’t know about you, but I just love the scents of Autumn and the holidays. Which is why I wanted to share this perfect Fall recipe: Apple Cranberry Casserole and I promise you, it will certainly tempt your taste buds.

Apple-Cranberry Casserole

Ingredients

4 Cups Apples sliced
2 Cups Raw cranberries
1/2 Cup white sugar
1/2 Cup water
Mix and place into baking dish.

I like to use Gala apples because of their hint of both sweet and sour flavors. Any apple type will work wonderfully. I have also recently cut back on the sugar amount, because I prefer the tasting the flavors of all the other ingredients such as the oatmeal, cranberries and the nuts. With less sugar, there is a less dominating “sweet” flavor in this dish. You can add a scoop of vanilla ice cream to your plate that accompanies this treat perfectly! And you can’t have just one piece.

If you have smaller containers and have a need to satisfy your own sweet tooth, then you can half the recipe. I keep the remaining casserole dish in the refrigerator, and when I am ready for another piece, it’s just as delicious when you warm it up in the microwave.

Topping

1 stick melted butter (1/2 cup)
1/4  Cup brown sugar
1 1/2 Cup raw oatmeal
1/2 Cup flour (cornstarch or coconut flour)
1/2 Cup pecan pieces (or walnuts)

Add melted butter/spread to dry mixture and toss until topping is crumbly and then spread over the top of the apple/cranberry mix. I prefer to use Earth Balance, a plant based spread in place of the margarine or butter. Bake for one hour at 350 degrees. Remove from oven, allow dish to cool and set.

If you enjoy holiday and seasonal recipes like this, then you may enjoy these and many more treats and dishes for any time of the year!