Apple Harvest Yogurt Bowls with Maple-Nut Clusters | www.floatingkitchen.net

Apple Harvest Yogurt Bowls with Maple-Nut Clusters

This post was originally published here September 24, 2014. I’ve adjusted the recipe slightly. And I’ve updated the text and photographs to reflect those changes. Enjoy!

Get ready to be bombarded with apple recipes here on Floating Kitchen. In addition to today’s recipe, I’ve already got a second one waiting in the queue. And I’m working on developing a few others, hopefully at least one of which will come out later in October.

So if you love apples, you’re in luck. And if not, well, sorry/not sorry.

Apple Harvest Yogurt Bowls with Maple-Nut Clusters | www.floatingkitchen.net

Everyone goes crazy for pumpkin as soon as September hits (let’s be honest, as soon as August hits). And other than the fact that it’s not even Fall yet, this pumpkin pushing also makes me crazy because it’s like we’ve totally skipped over all the other delicious seasonal produce, like apples and pears. Which frankly, I like better than pumpkin anyways.

So while everyone else is suffering from pumpkin mania, I’m just over here putting apples and pears on a pedestal. They deserve the spotlight, too!

This is my life’s work, people.

Apple Harvest Yogurt Bowls with Maple-Nut Clusters | www.floatingkitchen.net

These Apple Harvest Yogurt Bowls with Maple-Nut Clusters are like taking a trip to the apple orchard. Which is exactly what I did last week, hence all the apple recipes currently in progress in my kitchen. You start by making a spiced apple cider syrup and some highly addicting (and sticky!) maple syrup-sweetened nut clusters. Both of which can be done in advance, so don’t stress about the time requirement there. And then you just layer them up in a bowl with some Greek yogurt, fresh chopped apples, dates and whatever else you might be feeling. This is one of those recipes that actually gets me really excited and ready for Fall! Woo hoo! I’m finally on board to embrace the change in seasons!

Looking for more apple inspiration at breakfast time? Then check out these scones and this fruit salad.

Cheers,

Liz

Apple Harvest Yogurt Bowls with Maple-Nut Clusters

Apple Harvest Yogurt Bowls with Maple-Nut Clusters

At a Glance:
Yield: Serves 2
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Ingredients

For the Spiced Apple Cider Syrup:

  • 2 cups fresh apple cider
  • 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp. ground cardamom
  • 1/8 tsp. salt

For the Maple-Nut Clusters:

  • 1/2 cup sliced almonds
  • 1/4 cup roughly chopped pecans
  • 1/4 cup roasted pepitas
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1/8 tsp. salt

For the Bowls:

  • 12-16 ounces Greek yogurt
  • 1 medium apple, cored and chopped
  • 2-3 dates, pitted and chopped
  • Maple syrup, to sweeten as desired

Instructions

  1. In a medium saucepan, bring the apple cider to a simmer. Maintain a simmer and stir occasionally until the apple cider is reduced to about 1/3 of a cup, approximately 45 minutes. Whisk in the spices and cook for 1-2 minutes more. Then remove from the heat and set aside to cool completely. The syrup can be made several days in advance and stored in your refrigerator until you’re ready to use it.
  2. In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the almonds, pecans and pepitas until they become fragrant, about 2-3 minutes. Add the maple syrup and salt and stir until the nuts are evenly coated. Then remove the skillet from the heat and quickly transfer the nuts (they will be sticky) to a parchment-paper lined baking sheet to cool. Once cooled, the nuts can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for several days.
  3. To assemble the bowls, divide the Greek yogurt between two serving bowls. Add the chopped apples and dates to the cooled syrup and stir until everything is evenly coated. Then spoon the apple/date mixture, along with any accumulated liquid, over the yogurt. Top with some of the maple-nut clusters and an additional drizzle of maple syrup, if desired. Enjoy immediately.

39 comments on “Apple Harvest Yogurt Bowls with Maple-Nut Clusters”

  1. Adorable, from the jars to the clusters to the festive flavors. Loves it!

  2. Yikes Liz! I’m sorry to hear your spider story! I totally can understand not trusting the tea kettle anymore! At least these parfaits look delicious 🙂 I love fall flavors!

  3. Oh my gosh! I would throw it away entirely! I’m not too squeamish about spiders either, but if I can’t scrub it with bleach, it’s dead to me 😉 LOL

  4. I make a variation of these….but man, those maple nut clusters have sold me!

  5. So, I use an electric kettle (mainly because we make so many cups of tea here). Have you thought about one? There’s a fine mesh on the spout, so it prevents things from getting inside.

  6. These parfaits are so gorgeous, they look so tasty! What a lovely way to bring fall to the breakfast table! So, in other news, I was just reading your About page. You are quite the interesting person, Doctor! It’s crazy how your background is now somewhat unrelated to what you are doing. That happens a lot! Not that there is no science involved in cooking… but anyway. And you literally do live on a Floating Kitchen, nuts! Is it a houseboat of some sort? So cool! I enjoyed learning more about you.

    • Thanks Meggan! You’re right: science and cooking are so similar. I use the same processes almost everyday in my kitchen that I used to use in the laboratory – and I don’t even realize it most of the time! And I know a lot of scientists who are amazing cooks! And yes, my kitchen does float and so does everything else. A floating home is kind of like a house boat, except it’s a bit more stable (moves just a little when the weather is bad). And it’s connected to a dock, so I have hook-ups for town water/sewer. It’s a pretty unique lifestyle that you can only have in a few places in this country.

  7. THESE LOOK SO LEGIT. I love the maple clusters – I’d eat those plain!

  8. Ahhh! What a frightening experience. I might even fear tea and tea kettles now just reading this! On a very happy note, however, the fall flavors (especially sauteed apples) in this yogurt parfait looks amazing!!! Can’t wait to try it!

    Luci’s Morsels – fashion. food. frivolity.

  9. oh my gosh I HATE SPIDERS TOO! I get them all the time in my apartment… so UNCOOL!

    • I mostly try to ignore them so I don’t get too creeped out. But when they are in my tea cup, it’s hard to look away!

  10. First, you had me at maple nut clusters! What a great way to start the day. And yep … I’d be tossing that kettle 🙂

  11. Yummy! This looks so good!!
    College Cheese | You Only College Once.
    Love,
    Wendy

  12. Such a beautiful presentation! Sounds so delightful! Perfect for autumn!

  13. The maple nut clusters have stolen my heart! Pinned 🙂

  14. I am so intrigued by this apple cider syrup! What a fantastic idea! It’s like caramel + apple all build into one awesome sauce. Fabulous recipe. Love love love!

    • Thanks, Allison! I make apple cider syrup every year and use it on all kind of things (it’s especially good on ice cream). I’d say it’s more like a balsamic reduction than a caramel sauce. Super concentrated cider flavor and a little bit thickened. So good! If you try it, let me know you to like it!

  15. Damn girl…had no idea you literally lived in a floating home. You’re brave! These look beautiful btw! Love the little jars.

  16. I hate to say it but I would totally throw that kettle out. I don’t blame you for being grossed out at all! Ew. Nasty! But these parfaits, on the other hand… they look amazing! I love the idea of apple cider syrup! 😀

  17. Oh my gosh these look delicious, and so perfect for fall. I’ll definitely be trying them out!
    http://www.thecraftyfrugaler.com

  18. Oh loving this gorgeous breakfast! I love parfaits! And maple nut clusters? Sounds delicious!

  19. Pingback: Amazing Apple Recipes - Bunny's Warm Oven

  20. Love your rework Liz and reminding us that apples and pears are just as fabulous as pumpkin 😀 I love these hearty bowls with all their texture and flavor. The more nuts and seeds, the better!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *