Caramel Apple Bites

Nothing says fall like biting into a caramel apple. The combination of flavors is fruity, festive, and tastes just like the holidays. These gluten-free caramel apples tartlets are guaranteed to be a hit on your Thanksgiving dessert table. They come together quickly and are just 180-calories each, making them the ideal holiday dessert.

Ingredients

6 ounces macadamia nuts

2 tablespoon butter, divided, one tablespoon cut into tiny cubes

1 egg

2 teaspoons maple syrup

1/2 cup coconut flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 lemon

1 medium-large granny smith apple, small dice, squeeze the 1/2 lemon over them and toss to prevent oxidization

1/4 apple cider

1/4 cup butterscotch chips

Instructions

Special equipment: 12 cup muffin tin, food processor

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease muffin tin with cooking spray, preferably coconut.

Place macadamia nuts into the food processor and grind until they have made a paste and are sticking to the sides of the processor. Pour mixture into a medium size bowl.

Mix in 1 tablespoon cold butter (small cubes), coconut flour, maple syrup, egg, and salt with the crushed nuts. Mix to form a dough, breaking up the butter until it looks smaller than a pea. Divide dough into the muffin cups, about 2 tablespoons per cup. Shape them to look like mini pie doughs in the muffin cup. Pack the dough tightly and make sure there are no uneven/ sparse looking spots, especially on the bottom. Set aside.

Set a small sauce pot on a stove top burner and turn heat to low-medium. Place butterscotch chips and additional tablespoon of butter in. Slowly melt chips. When chips are melted take pot off heat and whisk in the apple cider. Set aside.

Divide the diced apples among the unbaked tartlets, followed by the butterscotch sauce. Leave a 1/4″ rim around the top of the tartlet just like you would a pie.

Bake tartlets for 15-20 minutes or until the edges are golden brown and the apples soften just a touch.

Take muffin tin out and let cool for 10 minutes. Loosen edges with a sharp knife, then place in the refrigerator for at least an hour, (the longer the better) before popping the tartlets out. A small offset spatula is a great job for this if available.

Take out and enjoy!

Garnish with fresh mint for a pop of color or add a dollop of whipped cream!

Nutrition facts:
servings: 12 servings size: 1 tartlet

calories: 180, fat: 15g (saturated fat: 4g), cholesterol: 29mg, sodium: 132mg, protein: 2g, carbohydrates: 12g, sugar: 7g, fiber: 4g