With Christmas just around the corner, it is the perfect time to start planning our holiday menus. Today, we are cooking up a cozy, comforting classic: Sugar-Free Apple Crisp.

During the holidays, it can be tough to navigate all the heavy, sugar-filled desserts. I developed this recipe to be a great, guilt-free alternative that still delivers all the warm, spiced flavors of a traditional Southern holiday dessert without the sugar crash.

I typically use Granny Smith apples for this because their tartness balances the sweet topping perfectly, but the best part about this recipe is its flexibility! For this batch, I just used what I had on hand in the kitchen, and it turned out beautifully.

Ingredients

• 5 apples (Granny Smith preferred, but any baking apple works!)
• ½ cup chopped pecans
• 1 cup flour
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ¼ cup lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons cinnamon
• ½ cup butter, margarine, or your preferred butter substitute
• ½ cup Stevia
• 2 teaspoons apple pie spice

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. Prep the apples: Wash, peel, and slice your apples. Place the sliced apples in an even layer in the bottom of a skillet.
3. Season the apples: Pour the lemon juice evenly over the apples and sprinkle with the cinnamon.
4. Start the topping: On the stove over low-medium heat, melt the butter in a saucepan. Whisk in the flour and mix until the mixture is smooth.
5. Add flavor: Remove from the heat or keep it on very low, and stir in the vanilla extract.
6. Mix the sweet crunch: Add the Stevia and apple pie spice. Mix everything together for a minute or two. Note: Don’t worry if it looks clumpy—that is exactly what you want!
7. Add the nuts: Stir in the chopped pecans.
8. Top the apples: Dip the thick topping mixture onto the top of your sliced apples. Use a spatula or your hands to gently smooth it across the top, trying to create an even, thin layer.
9. Bake: Put the skillet in the oven for 35 to 45 minutes. Cook until the topping is a beautiful golden brown.
10. Serve: Take out of the oven and serve hot!

Serving Suggestion

This apple crisp is absolutely delicious on its own, but it reaches a whole new level when served warm with sugar-free whipped cream or a scoop of sugar-free vanilla ice cream.

(For an easy, homemade sugar-free ice cream recipe, be sure to check out our Mason Jar Ice Cream video!)