Raw Apple Tart with Almond Meal Crust

Hi friends! How’s the day going? ’Tis the season for cooking, because I’m going crazy over here. Hope you don’t mind. In this case, though, it’s uncooking. These little beauties are actually totally raw, vegan, free of refined sugar, and totally delicious.

Beautiful raw apple tarts--gluten-free and dairy free

Dessert Like a PRO

Since we’ve been finishing up our little 7-day reset (which was extended for 7 more days per many requests!), I’ve noticed that my cravings have completely changed. When I’m used to an avalanche of sugar, fresh fruit and veggies don’t taste as good so I don’t tend to crave them or choose them as often. When I’m lacking protein or water, I’m out of touch with my hunger levels. 

After our little reset, I’m back in my “Eat Like a PRO” (<— PROtein and PROduce in every meal/snack) habits, and feel balanced and energized. I’ve been sleeping much better, I’m not chugging caffeine all day, and my skin has noticeably improved. I haven’t felt the need to go crazy for peanut butter cups (even though I’m definitely ready for that Thanksgiving dessert platter). I’ve been mostly rolling with sweets that don’t leave me with a sugar crash… like this awesome tart.

Rustic raw apple tarts

This is my favorite raw dessert base of almond meal, dates, coconut oil, a little maple syrup and sea salt. You can use it for any filling you like, like this awesome chocolate tart. (If you have any friends who say they hate vegan food, make them this tart. I made it for Thanksgiving one year, and it was a huge hit.)

The filling is sliced apples, a raisin paste (it sounds weird but gives them that thicker texture and warm flavor), and that’s it.

Raisin paste

You can leave them a little on the rustic side, with almond meal dusted on top.

Gluten-free and vegan apple tarts with an almond meal crust. This recipe is perfect for when you want a sweet treat minus the sugar crash. fitnessista.com

Or get a little fancy pants with an apple rose.

How to make an apple rose

How to Make an Apple Rose

To make the apple roses, I thinly sliced the apple into moon shapes. A mandolin would be better, but I’m freaked out of cutting myself with it. Anyway, slice the apples, soak in a little lemon juice until they’re soft,

thinly sliced apples in a bowl

(I also added a little strawberry jam to give them a slight pink hue)

and put the apple slices in a line, overlapping them, and so the straight edge is on bottom and the curve is on top. Gently start to roll. Place this on top of the tart and surround it with apple slices to fill in the petals. It was a little tedious, but Liv ate an entire tart because she couldn’t get over how pretty it was. I call that a win alone.

Gluten-free and vegan apple tarts with an almond meal crust. This recipe is perfect for when you want a sweet treat minus the sugar crash. fitnessista.com

So, How Delicious Are They?

While these are absolutely delicious, they definitely taste healthier than your usual apple pie. Would I serve them to company? Probably not. But will I have a batch on hand when the sweet tooth comes knocking at 11pm? Absolutely. They’re an awesome boost of healthy fat, fiber, and taste delicious. 

Let me know if you give them a try!!

Here’s the recipe.

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Raw apple tart with almond meal crust

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A delicious and healthy sweet treat with an almond meal crust, + spiced apples

  • Yield: 4 1x

Ingredients

Scale

For the crust

  • 1 cup almond meal
  • 3 medjool dates, pitted
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
  • Pinch of sea salt
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup

For the raisin paste

  • 1/2 cup raisins soaked in 1 cup water overnight
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/8 teaspoon cloves
  • Splash of lemon juice
  • Drizzle of maple syrup

For the filling

  • 2 apples, peeled and sliced (+ more if you want to make an apple rose)
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon

Instructions

  1. 1. In a small food processor, make the crust by combining the almond meal, dates, salt, coconut oil and maple syrup. Pulse until a dough forms. It will be a little sticky! Just roll with it.
  2. 2. Press the dough onto the bottoms of 4 ramekins or small tart pans. Cover, and store in the fridge.
  3. 3. Make the raisin paste. Drain the raisins, but reserve 1/4 cup of the soaking liquid. Add the soaking liquid, raisins, cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, cloves, lemon juice and maple syrup into a blender or food processor, and puree until smooth.
  4. 4. Place the sliced apples into a bowl, squeeze lemon juice on top, and stir to combine. Add as much of the raisin paste mixture as you would like.
  5. 5. Start to fill the tarts with the apple mixture, using as much as you’d like. Sprinkle almond meal on top, or make an apple rose to place on top to garnish

Notes

  • No apples? Pear works, too!

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4

Happy happy Thursday, friends!

xoxo

Gina

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18 Comments

  1. Katie on November 17, 2016 at 12:58 pm

    Those roses!…so beautiful!! I can’t wait to try these! And coming from a family of raisin farmers, (Sunmaid all the way! hehe) my grandpa will love this recipe….and I will love these tarts much more than his usual request of raisin pie lol. Thanks, Gina xo

  2. Cassie on November 17, 2016 at 1:53 pm

    So pretty!

  3. april on November 17, 2016 at 2:01 pm

    these are so beautiful! i saw a similar dessert on the chew recently, but this looks much healthier (and honestly, more delicious).

  4. Jessica on November 17, 2016 at 6:19 pm

    Eat like a “pro” – I love that! Great word play.
    And yes, that rose is pretty awesome!!! 🙂

    • Fitnessista on November 19, 2016 at 3:37 pm

      got my planner this past week! THANK YOU 🙂

      • Jessica on November 22, 2016 at 1:58 pm

        You are so very welcome. We are really happy to send you one and sincerely hope you love it –
        Have a wonderful Holiday Season!

  5. Kaila @ Healthy Helper on November 17, 2016 at 6:28 pm

    THESE ARE GORGEOUS, G!!!

    • Fitnessista on November 19, 2016 at 3:37 pm

      thank you, friend!

  6. Janice on November 18, 2016 at 2:59 am

    Yea! Someone may have mentioned this already but overnight a whole bunch of your posts, including this one, showed up in my Feedly!!

    Also, this apple tart recipe is just what I’ve been looking for and reminded me I’ve been wanting to make your chocolate tart for a long time!

    • Fitnessista on November 19, 2016 at 3:37 pm

      YESSSSS> i’m so happy it’s finally working again!!
      xoxo

  7. Sam @ Hygge Wellness on November 18, 2016 at 4:25 am

    This looks SO good Gina! Beautiful photos and even more beautiful apple rose

    http://hyggewellness.com/blog

    • Fitnessista on November 19, 2016 at 3:36 pm

      thank you, friend!

  8. Julie on November 18, 2016 at 8:59 am

    Ha ha I’m afraid of my mandolin, too! 😀

    • Fitnessista on November 19, 2016 at 3:35 pm

      i was like “um, don’t want to lose a finger today, thanks” haha

  9. Jean on November 18, 2016 at 10:51 pm

    These look totally gorgeous! I have a Thanksgiving potluck next weekend and I’m in charge of dessert. I’ll have to try my hand at making an apple rose!

    • Fitnessista on November 19, 2016 at 3:30 pm

      thank you! YESSSS you can totally do it

  10. Monica on January 25, 2017 at 8:19 am

    I am a great fan of any apple dessert, so this one has just made the top of my list! Can’t wait to try it 😀

    • Fitnessista on January 25, 2017 at 12:15 pm

      please let me know what you think!

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