Maple Oat Apple Parfait
Maple Apple Trifles are a delightful dessert that combines the sweet and comforting flavors of maple syrup and apples with the texture of oats and almonds. This dish, rooted in the tradition of layering ingredients to create a harmonious blend of flavors and textures, traces its origins to the classic English trifle. While traditional trifles often include layers of sponge cake, fruit, custard, and whipped cream, the Maple Apple Trifle offers a gluten-free twist by using rolled oats and almonds for the base, and a rich applesauce made from tart-sweet apples like Golden Delicious or Pink Lady. This dessert is typically served in individual parfait glasses, making it an elegant addition to any meal. The major ingredients include gluten-free rolled oats, almonds, maple syrup, brown sugar, unsalted butter, heavy cream, and a homemade applesauce flavored with lemon peel, cinnamon, and vanilla. The cooking method involves baking the oat-almond mixture until golden, creating a fragrant base, then layering it with applesauce and whipped cream. The taste of Maple Apple Trifles is a delightful balance of the natural sweetness and warmth of maple and apples, complemented by the nutty crunch of oats and almonds, all rounded off with the lightness of whipped cream.
- 1¾ cup Gluten-Free Rolled Oats
- ¾ cups Whole Un-Blanched Almonds
- ⅓ cups Maple Syrup
- ⅓ cups Brown Sugar
- 5 tablespoons Unsalted Butter
- ¾ cups Cold Heavy Cream
- 1½ tablespoon Granulated Sugar
- ½ teaspoons Pure Vanilla Extract
- 3½ pounds Tart-Sweet Apples
- ½ cups Maple Syrup
- 2 Strips Lemon Peel
- ½ teaspoons Ground Cinnamon
- ½ teaspoons Pure Vanilla Extract
- Oven Preparation
Preheat oven to 300°F. Gently grease a small rimmed baking sheet with butter.
- Creating the Crunchy Layer
Mix the oats and almonds in a large bowl. Then, in a small saucepan over medium heat, mix maple syrup, brown sugar, and butter. Stir continuously till the mixture is fully melted and starts to bubble. Pour this hot mixture over the oats and almonds, ensuring everything is well coated, then spread it onto your prepared baking sheet.
- Baking the Mixture
Let the oat and almond mixture to bake until it turns a fragrant golden brown, which should take about 30 minutes. After baking, let it cool on the baking sheet. Once cooled, break the mixture into small clusters and store them in an airtight container at room temperatures. This can be done up to 4 days in advance.
- Whipping the Cream
With an electric mixer, whip the cream in a bowl until it forms soft peaks. Add in the granulated sugar and vanilla extract, beating them in just until combined.
- Assembling the Trifles
For assembly, place ⅓ cup of applesauce into each of the six parfait or rocks glasses. Follow this with a layer of half the maple-oat mixture, distributed evenly. Add another layer of ⅓ cup applesauce on top. Then, distribute the remaining maple-oat mixture among the glasses. Finish each trifle with a dollop of whipped cream. Serve immediately to enjoy.
