11/16

Pamela Salzman’s Apple Pie Granita

As far as I’m concerned, Thanksgiving is all about the dessert–especially since I’m pregnant. I’m confident that I could eat a large cake in one sitting these days. I might have already but that’s a secret to keep between myself and that chocolate cake.

Since I’m only a few months away from giving birth, it’s time to cut back. Gorging on desserts will only make it THAT much harder to shed off those post-baby pounds. And it’s already hard enough.

If you’re looking for a skinnier version of your favorite Thanksgiving desserts, look no further than Pamela Salzman’s Apple Pie Granita. It tastes like a real slice of pie, has fewer calories, and is super refreshing after a warm meal. Plus, you can make this granita a week in advance! One less thing to prepare on the day of can be a lifesaver you never knew you needed.

Get the recipe below: 

Apple Pie Granita

Ingredients: 

• 3 cups natural-style apple juice, preferably organic
• 6-8 tbsp. Grade A maple syrup or cane sugar
• 1 1/2 tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• Pinch ground nutmeg
• Pinch ground allspice

Directions: 

1. In a saucepan, combine all the ingredients and cook over moderate heat, whisking until the sugar has dissolved, about 3 minutes. Do this step even if you are using a liquid sweetener as the heat will enhance the flavors of the spices.

2. Pour mixture into an 8 or 9-inch square baking dish. Freeze until icy around the edges, about an hour.

3. Using a fork, scrape the icy shards into the center. Continue to freeze, scraping occasionally and smashing any large lumps until course crystals form, about 3-4 hours longer.

The end result should be a fluffy and coarse. You can also use a large baking dish and the process will go more quickly. Keep frozen until ready to serve. The granita can be made a week in advance.

TIP: Serve with a cinnamon stick for garnish. If you’re the host this holiday season, it’s all about the presentation! 

Let us know if you tried the granita! This will be the first year I’m substituting it for our standard apple pie. Comment below! 

And for more Thanksgiving recipes, stay tuned. I’ll be sharing 2 more of Pamela’s dishes next week on the blog. Also, make sure to follow her blog here for delicious recipes all year long!