Warm Apple Crispy Goodness..a' la Mode

Ever wonder what that side dish is that your missing but you can't quite figure out what it is? Or, do you ever get sick of serving boring cake, cookies and a platter of fruit like everyone else for dessert? Well, you've come to the right place. Today's recipe is just the thing to add to your table for a side dish to a meal or as a dessert with option to add frozen yogurt or soy vanilla ice cream for the most sensational party for your taste buds!

On the Menu
Warm Apple Crispy Goodness 

Serves: 10    Prep Time: 20 minutes    Cook Time: 40 minutes 
Ingredients:
5 medium-sized Green Apples 
1 14 oz can of Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce (you can definitely make your own version w/ less sugar but this is just so much more convenient unfortunately) 
1 1/4 cups of Old Fashion Whole Oats (not instant) 
4 Tbls. Smart Balance Light Original Buttery Spread (non-dairy/parve)  
1 capful (apx. 1 tsp.) of Vanilla Extract
1/4 cup Light Brown Sugar 


Directions:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Now, peel all the apples with a peeler and slice the apples into 1/2 inch thick slices, lengthwise. Then add them to a loaf pan or cooking dish. No need to grease the pan or anything like that. 

Next, open up the cranberry sauce and disperse it evenly over the apples. Yes, it's that simple. 

Next, to a separate mixing bowl add butter, oats, vanilla extract and brown sugar. Take off any rings or bracelets (ickiness lives behind these things) and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water. Once your super clean hands are dried with a clean paper towel, use your hands to crumble and mix the whole mixture together. Now evenly disperse on top of the apple/cranberry stack. 

Lastly, stick the crispy apple goodness in the oven, uncovered, for 40 or so minutes. You want to open the oven at the 35 minute mark and see the apples bubbling on the sides. It sounds like a lot of time with a lot of heat but seriously, the longer the better. Once you stick that serving spoon in the dish, the apples are going to be oozing with goodness!


Nutrition Facts: (per serving size: 1/10th of recipe)
192 calories, 2.75 g fat, 3.5 g fiber, 1.25 g protein 
Under 3g of fat for the most amazing dessert or side dish + super antioxidants from the whole cranberries, apples and whole oats! I'm Feelin' Good!!


Note: As a special treat, when serving as a dessert, feel free to top with a low fat soy or fat free frozen vanilla yogurt. Your mouth will swoon! If you choose to do this though, just make sure to take into account the extra calories.


Cost: $$
Once you buy the ingredients, you will have them forever! Next time you want to make it (probably the next day), all you have to do really is pick up another bag of apples and a can of cranberry sauce (or stock up when there's a sale!)


Enjoy!!