Fall is just around the corner here in the northwest and I can barely contain my excitement for it all. Are you ready for all the apple and pumpkin things?
Let’s get started with an apple pie sundae, shall we?
This naturally sweetened apple pie sundae is what I go for when I’m craving apple pie but don’t actually want to make a whole pie (namely the crust).
I learned this technique from my mom (thanks, Mom!). Simply peel and slice apples and cook on the stovetop with a little cinnamon and (coconut) sugar until tender, and then turn up the heat at the end to slightly caramelize. Works like a charm. It’s the perfect way to get your apple pie fix in 30 minutes.
While your apples are cooking, roast up some cinnamon sugar pecans.
This all happens on one baking sheet – the lazy girl’s dream! Simply roast for a few minutes. Then top with cinnamon, coconut sugar, maple syrup, coconut oil, and salt and toss. Roast for another few minutes and you have insanely gorgeous, roasty, toasty pecans on your hands. Yum.
These are perfect for salads, snacking, or this sundae (I can’t wait, you guys).
All that’s left is scooping up your Vanilla Bean Coconut Ice Cream or Coconut Whipped Cream. We’re so close I can taste it.
Caramel sauce is completely optional but does send this sundae over the top. Either thin Date Caramel on the stove top with a little maple syrup or go for my Coconut Sugar Caramel Sauce from our Cookbook! It’s insanely delicious, naturally sweetened, and perfect for just about every dessert you can think of.
I hope you all love this sundae! It’s:
Fruity
Cinnamon-y
Perfectly sweet
Warming
Comforting
Quick to make
& Insanely delicious
Consider this the perfect dessert to welcome fall and make good use of all those apples. Because it comes together so quickly, it would be totally suitable for weeknights, but it is special enough to be reserved for weekends or hosting as well.
If you give this recipe a try, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo #minimalistbaker on Instagram! We’d love to see what you come up with. Cheers, friends!
Apple Pie Sundaes (30 minutes!)
Ingredients
PECANS
- 1 cup raw pecans
- 1 Tbsp coconut oil
- 2 Tbsp coconut sugar
- 2 tsp maple syrup
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 pinch sea salt
APPLES
- 4 medium-sized ripe green or red apples (I used half granny smith, half gala)
- 1 Tbsp coconut oil (or vegan butter)
- 3 Tbsp coconut sugar (plus more for topping // or sub organic brown sugar, cane sugar, or stevia to taste)
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon (plus more for topping)
- 1/2 tsp fresh ginger
- 1 medium lemon, juiced (yields ~2 Tbsp or 30 ml as original recipe is written)
- 2 tsp arrowroot or cornstarch for thickening (optional)
TOPPINGS
- 6-8 scoops Vanilla Bean Coconut Ice Cream
- 1 batch Coconut Whipped Cream optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (176 C), and arrange pecans on a bare baking sheet. While the oven is preheating, peel, core, and thinly slice apples (see photo).
- When the oven is preheated, bake pecans for 7 minutes. Then remove from oven, top with coconut oil, coconut sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon, and salt and toss with a spoon or spatula until evenly coated (I like doing this on the pan to save time/mess, but you can also do this in a mixing bowl). Bake for 3-6 minutes more, or until fragrant and deep golden brown. Be careful not to burn. Set aside.
- While the pecans are baking, add coconut oil and apples to a large, rimmed skillet and begin cooking over medium heat. Add coconut sugar, cinnamon, ginger, lemon juice, and arrowroot or cornstarch (optional) and toss/stir to combine.
- Cover the apples and reduce heat to medium-low to soften for about 10-15 minutes – stirring occasionally.
- Once the apples are tender and soft (sample one to check), remove cover and increase heat to medium. Sprinkle on a bit more cinnamon and coconut sugar and stir to coat. Cook for 2-4 minutes more – this will add a slightly sticky, caramelized finish to the apples. Set aside.
- To make sundaes, divide apples between serving dishes and top each with 1-2 scoops of Vanilla Bean Coconut Ice Cream (homemade or storebought). Garnish with pecans and sprinkle with pecans.
- Optional: Serve with Date Caramel, heated on the skillet and slightly thinned with maple syrup OR my Coconut Sugar Caramel Sauce from our Everyday Cooking Cookbook!
- Best when fresh. Store leftover pecans at room temperature in a sealed container up to 2 weeks. Store leftover apples in the refrigerator up to 4 days.
Notes
*Want apple pie with a crust? Check out our Deep Dish Crumble Apple Pie or Pumpkin Spiced Apple Pie.
Jen says
I diced the apples instead, and used the apple recipe (with only 2tbsp of coconut sugar for 6 apples) to put in top of my oatmeal. DELICIOUS weekend treat, will definitely become a regular this cold winter.
priyasen says
I madethis is it’s very nice.It’s very tasty.
priyasen says
I made is it’s very nice.It’s very tasty.
Mary says
Made this tonight and it was AMAZING! Thank you :)
LOVELY! Thanks, Mary!
Mona H. says
Made this tonight and it was heavenly!! I used 2 extra apples since mine were small but it still came out great. I topped with coconut base vanilla ice cream and homemade coconut cool whip. I crumbled some pecans on top of the whip as well! Love the recipes.
Caroline says
I made this as a dessert for an evening with friends and it was just delicious …. everybody loved it! :)
Cassie says
I’d TOTALLY have this for breakfast. A sundae first thing in the morning? No shame!
Leah says
I’m gluten and dairy sensitive… This was an incredible Fall treat! The fresh ginger put it over the top for me! And the coconut vanilla ice cream melting on top…. Yum!!!! Thank you!!
Elizabeth says
Loved it! So delicious, an elegant dessert for a dinner party (or any dinner) that comes together super quickly and without fuss! ? Thank you so much
varsha says
yeah
Sarah says
WOAH! Get in mah tummy!
Best,
Sarah
Shilpa Malhotra says
This looks amazing!!! Will certainly be trying this out this week! Thank you for sharing.
Flora says
This recipe is amazing, Dana! :)
Kate says
Wow! This sounds so good! Candied pecans makes everything incredible.
Jennifer says
This is absolutely fabulous!! Made it for my husband & I last night. Had to sub walnuts for pecans (I was out of pecans…) – but still turned out to be so delicious. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!
Lovely, thanks for sharing! xoxo
Roshani Khanna says
I was made this yesterday. This was an awesome dish. Everyone loved it! Thanks so much! simple, light, fast and delicious.
Yay! Thanks for sharing!
Ella-Mae says
Looks Scrumptious!
Just a question not really related to the topic..What camera and lens do you use to take those delicious looking (and awesome) photos?
Thanks
Find all of our camera equipment here! https://minimalistbaker.com/resources/the-camera-bag/
Mary Ellen says
Oh my goodness, these are perfect for the season! Dana, I just wanted to let you know that you are our Featured Blog of the Week! See the feature I wrote on you for my site!
I hope it’s okay that I wrote about you, I love your blog! <3
Tracy says
Ummm *droooool*
Cannot wait to go apple picking in the next week so I can make this!! Thanks for the inspiration.
Ugh, can’t wait to go either! Need to find a place to go in Portland!
Miss P says
This looks amazing, I can’t wait to make it myself.
Thanks for the post
Tamara says
Thank you for sharing such beautiful recipes Dana! Your photography is amazing (I could just jump into your photos) & you have the best personality ever….you always make me smile. :-)
Love your creative & healthy plant based options. Gotta make this one!!
So kind! thanks Tamara!
Zark Fatah says
Look so delicious.. Great healthy mouth watering and tasty post…thanks…
Aleksandra says
I only just made an apple bake last night :)
Maria says
Wow!! This is like a deconstructed, super easy, weeknight apple crisp!!! I love this. What a great idea!
Hilary says
Sounds wonderful!!
Rhian @ Rhian's Recipes says
Another great recipe! This looks SO delicious, thank you for sharing!
Heidi @ Red Checkered Tablecloth says
This looks too good! I wish we had pecans on hand so I could make this right now. What a great way to satisfy our apple pie craving without stressing over making a gluten-free crust. :)
Emily says
Oh my gosh! Being an expat, I miss the autumn season so much (and all of the delicious apples)!! My husband would absolutely adore this.
Heidi says
Can I make a batch of these wonderful apples and then reheat them for the days ahead? I live alone so really can’t eat the 4 servings in one setting….well maybe but I’d be sick! LOL How might I be able to reheat them without ruining the taste or drying them out?
That should work! The apples should stay for a few days!
Vicky says
What apples are best for this?
Vicky says
Sorry, just read the part about apples, thanks! BTW it was so good that even someone who thought they couldn’t eat pie without crust will love this! I added 1/4 tsp pumpkin spice to the apples and it was even better.
Nicki says
Mmmm, this looks delicious! I’m not a huge nut fan, though. If I don’t want to include nuts, should I still top the pie with some of the ingredients that went into glazing the nuts?
Thank you for all your phenomenal recipes!
Hi Nicki! What about making a crumble, like this one: https://minimalistbaker.com/the-best-vegan-apple-crisp/? Or even adapting this into more of a crisp?
Nikki says
Sounds fab! If I wanted to make it friends for dinner, is there part of it I could do a bit ahead of time? Prepping the apples for example?
yes! Cut the apples up to 1 day in advance. I would squeeze them generously with lemon juice to prevent them from turning brown though.
Libby says
Your photos in this post are so gorgeous! That tray of pecans? You’ve got me craving something, big time. :)
The Wooden Spoon says
YES! I do the same thing with apples, but I never thought of the amazing additions. Delic!
Emily @ Robust Recipes says
Yummm! I’m drooling over here!!
Allyson says
I’m going to have to try these baked apples. They look like the perfect easy fall dessert. And the whole thing looks incredible- I’ll have to make it all when I’m ready to gild the lily.
Laura ~ Raise Your Garden says
I’m making these tonight to celebrate some very good news I got today! And I’ve always added cinnamon to my apples stove top, but I’ve never considered adding coconut. I love that idea! I’m super hyperglycemic, so any recipe, especially a dessert with cinnamon allows me to still have it, or with my serious blood sugars issues, I can’t. Thanks!!!!
Nadia says
Oh my god I want one *_*