VEGAN, GLUTEN-FREE, REFINED SUGAR FREE
As a kid, I wasn't a fan of Granny Smith apples. In fact, I thought they were the only type of apple that existed in the world and thus, I declared: I do not like apples. Now, I can appreciate their little sour kick, especially when combined with the sweetness of a good maple syrup (I also know now that other varities do, in fact, exist). Here we've got apples baked into granola made into a parfait featuring coconut yogurt that's been sweetened with maple syrup and infused with cinnamon. There's a tiny hint of nutmeg in the granola as well, giving us all the classic tastes of autumn baking in a creamy guilt-free dessert.
Follow along with me HERE
INGREDIENTS
for the yogurt
1/2 cup of Cocojune pure coconut yogurt
2 tsp of maple syrup
1/4 tsp of cinnamon
Whisk together
for the granola
1/3 cup of maple syrup
3 tbl of coconut oil, melted
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp of nutmeg
1/2 tsp fine sea salt
1.5 cups of quick cooking oats
1/3 cup of unsweetened coconut flakes
3/4 cup of diced Granny Smith apples
DIRECTIONS
Pre-heat oven to 300°F.
Heat the wet ingredients + cinnamon and nutmeg and sea salt over low/medium heat until just warm.
Toss the diced apples into the wet mixture and coat.
Toss the oats and coconut flakes in a bowl and drizzle the liquid mixture on top, mix well until everything is fully coated.
Line a baking tray with a sheet of parchment paper and press the granola mixture onto it in one even layer.
Bake for 25 minutes.
Pull the granola from the oven and carefully divide it in half -- using a bench scraper or dull knife to cut a slit right down the center of it -- creating two separate pieces (this allows the edges on the inside to crisp). Rotate the tray and return it to the oven to bake for an additional 10 minutes or until edges are golden brown and the top starts to turn golden.
Let cool completely before breaking up
Whisk together the yogurt and maple syrup.
Assemble in a mason jar or other tallish container (I like glass jars because you can see the layers in the parfait) : start with a layer of yogurt, then a layer of apple granola crumble, then repeat until the jar is full. Optional: sprinkle of Maldon salt flakes on top layer.
Store in the refrigerator to chill before enjoying!
