Lowfat Apple Berry Granola Crisp

It was raining this morning and I’d been gone all weekend. I needed to bake something. I have these frozen apples in a bag my friend gave me for making apple pies, but I’m not so good at pies. Have I mentioned my fear of crusts? I am not good with pie crust … and besides pie crust has so much fat in it! And I don’t need any of that … so how about a crisp? Crisps are easy, relatively healthy and yummy. Especially if you can cut out some of the fat and sugar in the topping. You can really make this crisp with any kind of fruit you like … I’m thinking peach crisp will most likely be next …

Lowfat Apple Berry Granola Crisp

Adapted from Food.com

• 6 cups mixed apples (peeled and sliced) and berries (use any proportions you like … I used mostly apples, and just a few raspberries because that’s what I had on hand)
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon quick-cooking tapioca (not whole pearl)

• 1 ½ cups rolled oats
• ¼ cup unbleached white whole wheat flour
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon cardamom

• 1 egg white
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons orange juice

• 3/4 cup lowfat granola (I used Melissa’s Maple Cranberry Pecan Granola)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9 inch square baking dish (or 10-inch pie pan) with cooking spray.
2. In a bowl, mix together the fruit layer ingredients. Spread the fruit evenly in your baking dish and set aside.
3. In a large bowl, combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
4. In a smaller bowl, whisk together the egg white, oil, vanilla, and fruit juice and then stir into the dry ingredients until thoroughly combined. Stir in the granola.
5. Sprinkle the oat-sy granola topping over the fruit.
6. Cover and bake for 20 minutes, then uncover and continue to bake for another 20 to 30 minutes, until the fruit is soft and bubbly and the topping is crisp and golden.
7. Serve warm. Top with lowfat ice cream or frozen yogurt if you like … or even a bit of greek yogurt. That would be yummy too.

This recipe was shared at Crazy Sweet Tuesday, Totally Tasty Tuesdays, Midweek Fiesta, Cast Party Wednesday, Full Plate Thursdays, Fit & Fabulous Fridays, and Successful Saturday.