Apple pie bites

Apple Pie Bites

Makes 12 to 16 mini-muffin-size tarts

For best results, use an apple variety that is firm enough to hold its shape and has a combination of sweet and tart flavors. We like Jonagold or Braeburn.

MAKE AHEAD: The apple pie bites can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days. From Elaine Gordon, a master certified health education specialist and creator of EatingbyElaine.com.

Ingredients

For the crust

1/2 cup brown rice flour

1/2 cup almond flour or almond meal

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 tablespoons brown rice syrup (may substitute other liquid sweetener, such as light agave syrup or maple syrup)

2 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce

1/4 cup ice water

For the filling

1 cup finely diced, skin-on apple (see headnote)

2 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon brown rice syrup (may substitute other liquid sweetener such as light agave syrup or maple syrup)

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Steps

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Use cooking oil spray to grease the wells of a 12-portion mini muffin pan.

For the crust: Whisk together the brown rice flour, almond flour or meal and the cinnamon in a medium bowl. Add the brown rice syrup, applesauce and water; stir to form a soft dough. Divide evenly among the wells of the mini-muffin pan. Use your fingers to press in the dough so that it lines the bottom and sides of each well.

For the filling: Stir together the apple, applesauce, vanilla extract, brown rice syrup and cinnamon in a separate medium bowl. Divide evenly among the dough-lined muffin pan wells, pressing down the filling so it is firmly packed.

Bake for 15 to 18 minutes; the edges of the tarts will be lightly browned and the filling will have settled a bit. Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then use a fork to gently dislodge and transfer each tart to a wire rack to cool.

Serve warm or at room temperature.

NUTRITION Per tart (based on 16): 50 calories, 1 g protein, 8 g carbohydrates, 2 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 0 mg sodium, 0 g dietary fiber, 3 g sugar

bc-nutrition-apples-recipe