Roasted Pink Applesauce with Crunchy Spiced Apple Granola and Vanilla Ice Cream
This post is sponsored by Ontario Ambrosia. Ontario Ambrosia apples are proudly grown in Ontario by Martin’s Family Fruit Farm and other apple growers in Ontario. I was compensated for my time, and as always, all opinions in this post are my own.
I’m so excited to be partnering with Ontario Ambrosia today to bring you this recipe for my roasted pink applesauce with crunchy spiced apple granola!
A few cool facts about the specific apple I have used in this recipe. Ambrosia apples are considered the “Sweetheart of all Apple Varieties”. Why? Because they are flavourful and sweet, beautifully aromatic, crisp and will store well in the fridge. I’m also obsessed with the colour of these apples – just look at the pink–blushed skin with golden hues.
These super pretty Ambrosia apples are available almost all year round, which is really wonderful because you can use them in so many seasonal inspired recipes.
I decided to incorporate these apples into two of my favourite recipes that I use all year long – a beautiful pink applesauce and a delicious homestyle granola that can be served at any meal.
I remember the first time I ever made homemade applesauce. My eldest son was just a baby and starting to eat solids and back then I loved making my own baby food. I literally would plunk this down in front of him and his feet did the happy dance when I fed him this applesauce. He refused to even open his mouth for a spoonful of anything else, so I had to hide dessert so I could get the main course and veggies in!
The ingredients are simple enough. Nowadays, I incorporate healthier things without the addition of refined sugar. With these Ambrosia apples, you don’t even need added sweetener because they are sweet enough on their own.
It pairs fabulously with traditional holiday foods and I love the beautiful pink colour it adds to the menu. Do you think I’m the only one who is so in love with anything pink? As an added bonus, both recipes smell amazing while baking in the oven. Another big plus, you can make these recipes ahead of time, which is really important when we’re talking about busy schedules or holiday meals.
If you’re looking for something simple-yet-elegant to add to your menu, you must give these recipes a try! It’s not only simply beautiful, these recipes are easy, healthy, and go with everything. I mean, who doesn’t love applesauce and granola with a big ol’ dollop of ice cream?
Ontario Ambrosia apples are available now at fine grocery retailers across the province of Ontario. For more information on these beauties click here.
- 3 pounds (1400g) about 6 -8 Ontario Ambrosia apples, peeled
- juice and zest of ½ a lemon
- juice and zest of 1 large orange
- 2 teaspoons (10g) pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter, I used this vegan butter
- 1 teaspoon (5g) ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon (1.40g) ground nutmeg
- a pinch of kosher salt
- 6 oz. (170g) fresh raspberries
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Place the zest and juice of the orange and lemon in an ovenproof casserole dish (I used a deep oval dish but I would suggest an 11" x 7"...the mixture will be piled high but will shrink as it bakes)
- Quarter and core the apples and add them to the dish, tossing them with the juices as you go. This will ensure that the apples don't get brown (Ambrosia Apples don't brown quickly so you don't have to worry!)
- Add the maple syrup, butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and raspberries. Cover and bake for 1 to 1¼ hours, until the apples are very soft. Stir vigorously with a wire whisk or mash to achieve the desired consistency. The applesauce still have some texture depending on how much you stir or mash it. Serve warm with a scoop of ice cream and a sprinkle of crunchy spiced apple granola (recipe below).
- 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats, I used gluten free
- 1 cup nuts, roughly chopped, I used a mix of almonds, cashews & walnuts
- ½ cup sunflower seeds
- ¼ cup flax seeds
- ½ cup apple juice, squeeze the juice from two grated apples
- ¼ cup coconut oil
- ½ cup pure maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon apple pie spice
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- Preheat the oven to 325F and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large bowl, stir together the oatmeal, nuts, sunflower seeds and flax seeds.
- In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the apple juice, coconut oil, maple syrup, cinnamon, apple pie spice and salt until coconut oil is melted.
- Pour the apple juice mixture over the oat mixture and stir until well coated.
- Spread the oatmeal mixture in a single layer on the sheet pan. Bake for 45 minutes, stirring the granola every 15 minutes to ensure even baking.
- Cool the granola to room temperature. Granola will become crunchier as it cools. Store in an airtight container for up to one week.
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