APPLE PIE YOGURT PARFAIT WITH CRANBERRIES

​Make breakfast exciting with a fall inspired apple pie yogurt parfait with cranberries! A wholesome and easy recipe layered with protein, fiber, and nutrients.

INGREDIENTS
Apple Pie Parfait

• 4 cups apples , fuji, honeycrisp, braeburn or Granny Smith, 1/2-inch dices
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice , plus zest of one lemon
• 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch , or arrowroot
• 1/2 teaspoon ginger , ground
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon , ground
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg , ground
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries

Stove Top Granola

• 1 1/2 teaspoons vegetable oil , or coconut oil
• 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1/4 cup almonds , sliced
• 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon , ground
• 1/2 cup cranberries
• 2 cups yogurt , greek-style, regular or non dairy

INSTRUCTIONS
Apple Pie Filling

1. Heat a large pan over medium-high heat.
2. Add apples, lemon juice, zest, 2 tablespoons maple syrup, cornstarch, ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir to combine and cook for 4 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds.
3. Reduce heat to medium and add cranberries. Stir and cook for another 6 minutes, or until apples are crisp-tender.
4. Transfer to a bowl and refrigerate while you make the granola.

Stove Top Granola

1. Heat oil in a medium-sized pan over medium heat for 3 minutes.
2. Add the old-fashioned rolled oats and almonds. Cook and stir continuously for 4 to 6 minutes, or until the oats are golden brown.
3. Transfer toasted oats and nuts to a sheet pan and set aside.
4. Add 3 tablespoons maple syrup and cinnamon to the heated pan. Cook and stir for 1 minute, until the mixture, is bubbling and thickened.
5. Insert the oats back into the pan, stir until coated with the syrup and cook for 1 minute.
6. Turn off the heat and stir in the cranberries.
7. Transfer granola to the sheet pan and allow to cool for 5 to 10 minutes. Granola will become crunchy as it cools.

Parfait Assembly

1. In four cups or bowls, add 1/4 cup of the apple pie filling, 1/4 cup yogurt, 2 tablespoons granola, 1/4 cup of the apple pie filling, 1/4 cup yogurt and them top with additional fruit and granola on top.
2. Repeat with the remaining cup. If you are not eating immediately, then add them right before serving.

RECIPE NOTES
​1) Taste the apple pie filling and add more maple syrup if you want to increase the sweetness. I don't like to make the filling too sweet so adjust to your liking.
2) You can substitute the nuts in the granola for pecans or walnuts.
3) You will have extra granola left over so store in an airtight container or in the freezer.
4) You can omit the cornstarch, but if you like the filling to have a thicker glaze add it in.