October is apple season! This delicious fruit is grown local here in Michigan and makes fantastic desserts. Apples come in a variety of colors, all are high in antioxidants and the green apples are known for their quercetin antioxidants, which helps promote a healthy heart. Apples are also known for their pectin, which is a natural thickening agents and very high in fiber.

They contain malic acid to help keep your teeth white and shiny, plus contain potassium to help regulate blood pressure. Being enriched with anti-inflammatory, anti-mutagenic, anti-proliferative qualities and flavonoids, apples have the potential to lower the chance of pancreatic cancer. According to experts, regular consumption of apples can also prevent your body from mammary tumors. The oligosaccharides found in apple are said to kill colon cancer cells. It really sounds like, eating an apple a day will keep the doctor away.

For a Halloween celebration, this dessert will satisfy your sweet tooth without going too over board on the sweets. Peanut butter and apples are just a great combo and when you add chocolate, no one can say no. You could also make this recipe with almond butter or other nut butters.

Baked Peanut Butter Apples with Chocolate

6 cups apples (cut in chunks with skin left on)
3/4 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup rice beverage
1/4 cup brown rice syrup
pinch sea salt
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Place the apple chunks on a casserole dish. Put in a food processor the peanut butter, rice beverage, brown rice syrup, and sea salt, puree until smooth. Pour sauce over the apples. Cover and bake for 45 minutes until apples are soft.

Uncover and sprinkle the 1/2 cup chocolate chips over the hot baked apples. The chocolate chips will melt from the heat. Once melted, swirl the chocolate over the top for a decorative presentation. Eat warm.