Baked Apples with Dates and Nuts

These baked apples with dates and nuts are such a nourishing and filling treat. I love how simple this recipe is but the final result has beautiful flavours and textures. 

I was talking to my parents one day about what desserts they loved as kids, and my dad mentioned baked apples with nuts. He’s from Serbia. 

They are called Tufahije, and the dish has a few different variations. I got him to tell me the main idea behind it and how it’s made, and then I set off to create my version of it. They’re considered a traditional recipe in Bosnia.

I think that’s part of the fun, recreating old recipes and making them that little bit healthier and vegan-friendly. This recipe usually is pretty much vegan however they also use whipped cream on the top.

You have the option of adding whipped coconut cream if you like. I personally left it off as I wanted to focus on the fruit and nut flavours.

An indulgent dessert that is healthy

What I love about these baked apples with dates and nuts is that it can be mixed up with pretty much whatever nut you may have in your pantry. Any of the following nut mixes will work:

• Macadamia
• Pecans
• Hazelnuts
• Cashews

The only two that I wouldn’t recommend are peanuts and pistachios. Otherwise, you can mix any of these and enjoy them in the stuffed apples. Alternatively for the dates, you can use any other dried fruit or berries that has some moisture in it – blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, Turkish apricots or figs. 

If you try this recipe, let me know! Would love for you to leave a comment and rating below. If you want to go that extra mile, tag us on Instagram or share your photo of the recipe on Pinterest. 

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Yield: Serves 4

Baked Apples with Dates and Nuts

Total Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

These decadent nut and date stuffed apples are a wonderful healthy dessert that is perfect for the holiday season.

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Ingredients

• 1/4 cup coconut sugar
• 4 granny smith apples, peeled and cored (make sure you leave the bottom as it needs to hold the stuffing in)

Stuffing:

• 1/4 cup walnuts
• 1/4 cup almonds
• 2 tbs shredded coconut
• 2 medjool dates, pitted

Instructions

1. Place the sugar in a small saucepan and add 1 litre of boiling water. Dissolve over a low heat.
2. Add in the apples making sure that they fit in nice and snug. The sugar water should cover the apples. If not, make sure you turn them over half way through the cooking process to cook the other side as well.
3. Simmer the apples on low for 10 minutes.
4. Preheat oven to 180C (355F).
5. Place the stuffing ingredients in a food processor and pulse until a rough but easy to pinch together mixture is formed.
6. When the apples have finished cooking, stuff them with the filling.
7. Place them in a baking dish and pour half the syrup over the top.
8. Put them in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes. Making sure that the filling doesn't burn on the top of the apples.
9. Serve warm with some of the syrup poured over the apples.
10. If you fancy something extra, you can also add some whipped coconut cream or vanilla/coconut ice cream on the side.

Other recipes you’ll love:

1. Vegan Apple Crumble (Gluten-Free)
2. Apple, Blueberry and Vanilla Vegan Oat Bran Porridge
3. Vegan Baklava That’s Better Than The Real Thing!
4. Super Simple Vegan Peach, Macadamia and Coconut Crumble
5. Chocolate And Hazelnut Vegan Ice Cream