Paleo dessert: baked and fried apples

©iStockphoto.com / Tatiana Goydenko

For those who are looking for a quick fix for their sweet tooth while still staying in the boundaries of the paleo diet, these recipes are perfect. Baked or fried apples are so quick and easy to cook and make for a delicious paleo dessert. Usually these recipes call for extra sugar, but I think the sweetness of the apples is more than enough and the cooking process brings the flavors of the natural sugars in the forefront. The butter also brings some extra richness and make it more filling.

Serve those with a big dollup of whipped cream of a splash of coconut milk. The hot butter mixing with the cold whipped cream or coconut milk creates a nice texture and balance. I think once you make them you won’t want to have apples any other way anymore.

The two recipes are very similar and call for the same ingredients, but it’s up to you to find your prefered way of having them.

Baked apples with cinnamon and butter

Ingredients

• 4 apples (tart apples are very good for this)
• 4 tbsp grass-fed butter (or ghee)
• 4 tsp cinnamon
• Optionally, a bit of fresh nutmeg

Technique

1. Preheat your oven to 350 F.
2. Core the apples making sure not to go all the way throught and to leave the bottom on the apples.
3. Stuff 1 tbsp of butter inside each apple.
4. Sprinkle with the cinnamon and nutmeg.
5. Bake for about 12 to 18 minutes, until the apples are soft.
6. Serve and enjoy!

Pan fried apples with cinnamon and butter

Ingredients

• 4 apples (tart apples are good also)
• 2 tbsp grass-fed butter (or ghee)
• 3 tsp cinnamon
• Optionally, a bit of fresh nutmeg

Technique

1. Cut the apples in about 1/4″ slices.
2. Put the butter in a hot pan and let it melt.
3. Once hot, add the apple slices making sure they don’t overlap, make multiple batches if necessary.
4. Sprinkle with cinnamon and nutmeg, cover and let cook until soft.
5. Serve and enjoy!

Apple photo