Lemon Pine Chocolate Stuffed Apples (GF+V)

Prep and bake time 35 mins

Serves 4-6 people

The flavors of apple pie, but easier to prepare, and a little bit healthier. These stuffed apples are sweet, a little crunchy, and perfect with coconut ice cream or whip cream.. Oh yeah! It is also cute served on a plate to someone. Definitely give this one try.

The chocolate we are using here is Chocolita Chocolate Pine Pollen Lemon and the flavors in this chocolate, especially the lemon compliment the apple and the spices perfectly. Of course you can use any chocolate and I think it'd still be yum. I would recommend a lighter, less bitter chocolate if you decide to deviate.

Ingredients

• Apples 4-6 (filing makes enough to stuff 6 apples)
• 1 Cup Gluten Free Oats or Oats
• 1/3 Cup of Brown Sugar or Coconut Sugar
• 1 tsp of cinnamon
• 1/4 Cup Chopped Walnuts or nuts
• 2 Tablespoons of shredded coconut
• 4 Tablespoons of Vegan Butter or Coconut oil
• 1 Bar of Pine Pollen Chocolate from Chocolita  (chopped)
• 1 full dropper of Cocoa Bitters (Optional)
• 1 Cup of Apple Juice

I chose Granny Smith Apples, because I like tart apples, but really you can go with a honey-crisp or a different variety and these will still be great.

The addition of the cocoa bitter is very optional, but I chose to add it to this recipe because the orange, cardamom and chocolate notes of the bitters impart a really special flavor when combined with the baked apples, sugar and cinnamon. The flavors meld perfectly. If you have this product I highly recommend just adding a dropper full.

Method

Pre- step: Preheat oven to 375

1. In a bowl combine your oats, spices, chopped walnuts, salt, sugar, melted butter, shredded coconut, chopped chocolate, and bitters mix well to combine.
2.  Using a small spoon and paring knife or a small melon baller begin to hollow out the inside of the apples.  I cut the bottom of the apple just enough so the stand up right in the pan (see video)

3. Place apples in a baking dish. Then start stuffing your apples with the chocolate oat filling from the bowl.

4. Add 1 cup of apple juice into the bottom of the dish. The juice helps the apples steam and cook through.

5. Bake apples at 375 for up to 30 mins until fork tender.

6. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Serve with your favorite whipped topping or ice cream and enjoy.