When apples are in season, it’s hard NOT to think of apple crisp. With hot tender apples and crispy oat topping, apple crisp is indisputably one life’s great comfort foods.

This Apple Crisp recipe includes a sneaky trick. Instead of using the usual flour and oats for the topping, I have swapped out some of the all-purpose flour for graham cracker crumbs. While low in sugar, they add just enough color and sweetness to give the illusion of a topping that contains far more sugar than you’ll find here. The result is the traditional sweet crunchy apple crisp topping we all love – without the stuff we don’t.

While still wonderful the next day (even for breakfast :), this is at its very best served warm when the topping is still nice and crisp. I like to prepare in the afternoon, set it aside, and then pop it into the oven during, or just after dinner. The wafting smell of cinnamon and apples coming from the oven is a treat in itself!

(PS How quickly added sugars add up! The use of a no- or low-cal sweetener in the recipe saves over a days’ worth of added sugar, and 100 calories, in a single serving).

Serves 6

INGREDIENTS

FILLING
2 pounds firm baking apples (about 5 medium) peeled, cored, cut into 1/4-inch slices
1/4 cup no-calorie sweetener (or 6 packets)*
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

TOPPING
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
6 tablespoons old-fashioned rolled oats
1/2 cup granulated sweetener*
1 tablespoon brown sugar
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
3 tablespoons cold margarine or butter, cut into pieces

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly coat an 8X8-inch glass baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

2. In a large bowl, toss the apples with the sweetener, flour, and cinnamon together in a small bowl. Sprinkle over the apples and toss. Place the apples in the baking dish.

3. In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, graham cracker crumbs, oats, sweetener, and cinnamon. Cut in butter with a pastry blender, fork, or fingers until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Sprinkle topping over apples.

4. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until apples are tender and crisp is bubbling. Serve warm.

* When using all-natural Truvia with Cane Sugar (or a similar twice as sweet as sugar blend) use 1/2 as much, or 2 TBSP in the filling and 1/4 cup in the topping.

Per Serving:

Calories 175 | Fat 4.5 grams (2 sat) | Carbohydrates 33 grams (sugar 14 gms) | Fiber 4 grams |  Protein 2 grams | Sodium 20 milligrams | Food Exchanges: 1 Carbohydrate, 1 Fruit, 1 Fat | Weight Watcher Smart Point Comparison: Green 4, Blue 4, Purple 4