So, it’s officially that time of the year when I stop praising autumn (as seen in previous posts where you might remember yours truly never shutting up about how much she likes all things cosy and spicy and yadda yadda yadda) and start praying for the return of summer, free time (uni is killing me send help and cookies), long bike rides and music fests.
And good fruit too pretty please with a juicy summer cherry on top because, let’s be honest, with a juicy pear on top doesn’t have the same ring to it.
I was feeling reckless today and decided to eat a peach as my morning snack. Ew, guys, EW. It tasted like death and misery and desolation and all things awful.
Never. Again.
Until I go back to the market and see them looking all pretty and dazzling and fall for them yet another (disappointing) time.
Why do they have to look so nice and juicy in the farmer’s market, I don’t know. But trust me when I tell you that they taste like tears and destrutions.
Anyhoo. I’ve decided to be positive and go all smiles and sunshine style because, let’s be honest, life’s better when you’re happy.
If you’re going to learn anything from this post, let it be:
1) Choose to be happy all day errrrrrr day. It’s up to you and only you! I’ve found that a vegan lifestyle rich in plants and carbs helps me enourmosly and keep me vibrant and energetic allllllll the time (I cannot even remember the last nap I took?? I love naps though). I don’t want to be preachy or anything but adding more plants to your diet is always a win win!
2) Watch Narcos. Get addicted. Get your heart broken by the perfect human being which Pedro Pascal is. Cry because we’re not getting season 2 until next year orrrr 2017. I don’t know. Don’t really wanna think about it. Bring Narcos back pretty please.
3) Apple pie bars. With coconut oil. So good pals, so so so so good. Add them to your bucket list because you won’t be sorry!
Public service announcement is over now.
Back to the positive thingy now. Let’s focus on what’s good about autumn (definitely not uni exams or unripe peaches). Let’s fill our lives with all the warm tea, fluffy blankets, fuzzy socks, soft pyjamas AAAAAND apples.
And cinnamon.
And ginger.
And spice.
And everything nice.
Have I said apples yet??????
Can you guys imagine anything better than enjoying a deliciously buttery (without the butter!), crumbly shortbread base topped with juicy apples sweetened with a bit of coconut sugar and cinnamon? Let me tell you about the oat-hazelnut topping now! So crunchy, so good!
And these bars are healthy. Apple pie which is packed with nutrition? Sign me up! Nobody in my family (aka my lucky taste-tasters) could believe these were healthy. Did they ask for seconds? You bet.
So, if you want to make your family happy, make them a batch of these bars. Filled with love and all the good stuff. This is how to do autumn right!!
Ingredients
For the crust
- 100 grams coconut oil melted
- 20 grams almond flour
- 50 grams coconut sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 130 grams spelt flour
For the apple filling
- 2 large apples peeled and thinly sliced
- 25 grams spelt flour
- 40 grams coconut sugar
- juice from half a lemon
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
For the crumb topping
- 50 grams old-fashioned oats
- 60 grams coconut sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 30 grams spelt flour
- 50 grams coconut oil
- 50 grams toasted hazelnuts crushed
Instructions
- To make the shortbread, combine flours, sugar and salt in a bowl.
- Add in the melted coconut oil amd vanilla and mix until combined.
- Press the mixture into a baking pan and bake at 150ºC (300F) for 12-15 minutes.
- Set aside to cool.
- To make the filling, mix the sliced apples with the lemon juice, flour and spices and pour mixture over the baked crust.
- Make the topping by combining all the ingredients in a bowl and cover the bars with it.
- Turn the temperature up to 175ºC (350F) and bake the bars for 30-35 minutes or until golden.
- Wait until they’re cold to cut them and enjoy them!
