Make a Mini Apple Crumble and a Small Sweet Potato Casserole
Now is the time to start thinking about one of the sweetest dishes this holiday season: desserts. If you are on the look out for apple oatmeal recipes, I hope that you enjoy this mini apple crumble. And that you enjoy these small sweet potato casseroles! I have two simple ones that have become family favorites. I like to use a little real sugar, honey, maple syrup, or molasses in small amounts instead of artificial sweeteners.
For me, having a little bit of real sugar helps me practice moderation and mindful eating while I savor my dessert! Using fruits and vegetables as a main ingredient in desserts also adds some fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Both of these desserts use oatmeal as a topping, so they contain whole grains. I love that these ingredients are a big reason that they are so delicious!
The mini sweet potato casseroles are baked in sweet little ramekins, so they are portion-controlled and just downright cute to serve! The fruit crisp recipe is baked in a little round pan, but it would be perfectly baked in ramekins, little custard cups, or other decorative oven-proof dishes. They can be displayed on a decorative table in a pattern or on little pedestals. They are already portioned!
Recipe for Small Sweet Potato Dessert
Mini Coconut Sweet Potato Casseroles
Try a mini sweet potato dessert! I added coconut and candied ginger for a new modern twist to an old favorite. This recipe makes a great fall or even Thanksgiving celebration dessert! Makes 4 small ramekins.
2 cups mashed cooked sweet potatoes (about 1 1/2 pounds)
1/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup coconut milk
One teaspoon of vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
One tablespoon of candy ginger
Topping
1/3 cup flour
One tablespoon chilled Smart or Earth Balance (depending on your preference) or butter
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup chopped pecans
Two tablespoon shredded coconut
Combine the first six ingredients in a bowl and stir well. Spoon the sweet potato mixture into 4 small white ramekins that have been greased. For the topping, combine brown sugar and margarine in a bowl and cut the margarine in with a pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse cornmeal.
Stir in the pecans and coconut and sprinkle over the sweet potatoes. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. After it has cooled, add a little dollop of whipped cream as a garnish and a little sliver of candied ginger.
Fruit Crisp Recipe
Old Fashioned Apple Crisp Recipe
This easy good apple crisp recipe makes an easy apple dessert with few ingredients. You can change the fruit. This picture also adds some peaches and blueberries. Use fruit that is in season, and adjust the amount of sugar depending on the fruit. An apple crisp with oats recipe (or with any fruit) adds whole grains to your dessert and has a beautiful texture. Here is what you will need:
7 cups of fruit of your choice (apples, pears, peaches, plums, berries, or other seasonal fruit)
Apple Crumble Topping Recipe
1/2 c firmly packed brown sugar (can use less)
1/2 c old-fashioned rolled oats
1/3 c all-purpose flour
1/4 c chopped pecans or walnuts
Three tablespoons butter or Smart Balance softened
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Place fruit in a medium shallow baking dish. In a medium bowl, combine brown sugar, oats, flour, nuts, and margarine. Sprinkle the brown sugar mixture over the fruit. Bake until the fruit is bubbly and tender, about 50 minutes. Transfer the dish to a wire rack to cool slightly. Serve warm with frozen yogurt or ice cream, if desired.
To Make Mini Apple Pie Crumble
If you are looking for a recipe for apple crumble in small servings, here is an easy way to make it:
Divide the filling and topping between oven-proof ramekins and cut the baking time to about 20 minutes. Alternatively, you can make the regular-size crumble and divide it into depression glass bowls (or your favorite others) and serve it up that way.
Other Easy Holiday Desserts to Make
Desserts have a special place on the table during the holiday season, and these are some of my family favorites! They are simple but have a touch of elegance and can be dressed up and displayed! You can also do so much to them ahead of time so they can be thrown together quickly in the oven!
I hope that you enjoy them. Check out some of our other family favorites below!
http://www.vineripenutrition.com/6-healthy-desserts-to-celebrate-the-holidays/
http://www.vineripenutrition.com/trimming-the-holiday-table-with-mini-apple-filo-tarts/
http://www.vineripenutrition.com/3-simple-cookie-candy-recipes-for-the-holidays/
http://www.vineripenutrition.com/2-pear-dessert-recipes-to-make-this-fall/
http://www.vineripenutrition.com/low-fodmap-mini-pumpkin-bundt-cake/
Enjoy Some Mini Apple Crumble and a Small Batch of Sweet Potato Casserole
I love that these desserts are just the right size and look festive! I hope you enjoy the apple pie crumble topping recipe and the sweet potato streusel topping.
As a registered dietitian nutritionist living in Asheville, NC, I enjoy helping clients find solutions to improve their health. And I love sharing some of my favorite recipes for the holiday season! I would love for you to share some of your favorite desserts for the holiday and how they fit into your healthy lifestyle!
In addition to these little holiday desserts, you may enjoy 10 Vegetarian Brunch Recipes for the Holidays – Vine Ripe Nutrition.