Health benefits of dates, according to the Cleveland Clinic, include improved gut health, better brain function, healthier skin and a lowered risk of several diseases.
“Not only are they super tasty and versatile, but they provide fiber, antioxidants and other essential nutrients like magnesium and potassium.”
“The average date contains about 15 grams of natural sugar — so if you need to be careful of sugar intake, pair this delicious dried fruit with some nuts or seeds to balance blood glucose levels”
Frozen phyllo dough is a reasonable fit for a low-SOS vegan dessert, replacing puff pastry because it gets crisp and flaky without relying on large amounts of fat.
One challenge is that traditional phyllo recipes brush each layer with butter or oil. For an SOS-free version, you can use aquafaba (the liquid from unsalted chickpeas) or unsweetened applesauce very lightly between layers, or simply mist with water. The phyllo won’t be quite as rich, but it will still crisp nicely in the oven.
Tender baked apples filled with blueberries and dates, surrounded by crisp phyllo petals that bloom around the fruit like a flower.
Ingredients
Apples
4 medium baking apples (Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, or Fuji)
Filling
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
4 Medjool dates, pitted and finely chopped
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons water
Phyllo Blossom
4 sheets phyllo dough, thawed
2–3 tablespoons aquafaba or unsweetened applesauce
For Finishing
Fresh lemon zest
Fresh mint leaves
Banana nice cream (optional)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Apples
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Wash the apples and slice off the top ½ inch of each apple. Using a melon baller or small spoon, remove the core and seeds, creating a cavity for the filling. Be careful not to cut through the bottom.
Arrange the apples in a baking dish.
2. Make the Filling
In a small saucepan, combine:
blueberries,
chopped dates,
cinnamon,
lemon juice,
water.
Cook over medium heat for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the blueberries soften and the dates begin to melt into the mixture.
Lightly mash some of the berries while leaving others whole for texture.
Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool slightly.
3. Fill the Apples
Spoon the blueberry mixture into the apple cavities, mounding it slightly above the opening.
4. Create the Phyllo Blossoms
Separate a few sheets of defrosted phyllo dough.
Between each sheet brush lightly with either aquafaba (chickpea water), or natural applesauce. The phyllo should be flexible but not wet.
Lay the thin stack of dough sheets on pastry board & place one raw prepared apple on top.
Before wrapping apple, cut petals (strips) into the dough. Then
Lightly brush each strip with aquafaba or applesauce.
Gather each strip loosely by pushing the ends toward the center to create soft ruffles.
Allow the folds to flare outward naturally. The blueberry filling should remain visible in the center while the phyllo forms layered petals around it.
Tuck loose ends upward into the hole in apple, and lightly brush the outside with a little additional aquafaba or applesauce.
5. Bake
Add ¼ inch (6 mm) of water to the baking dish.
Bake for 30–40 minutes, or until:
the apples are tender when pierced with a knife,
the filling is bubbling,
the phyllo is crisp and golden.
If the phyllo browns too quickly, loosely tent with foil for the remainder of the baking time.
6. Serve
Allow the apples to cool for 5–10 minutes before serving.
Finish with:
fresh lemon zest,
mint leaves,
a scoop of banana nice cream if desired.
Optional Flavor Upgrades
Without adding salt, oil, or refined sugar, you can deepen the flavor with:
orange zest in the filling,
cardamom or nutmeg alongside the cinnamon,
a tablespoon of balsamic vinegar cooked into the apple-date mixture,
toasted walnuts before mixing into the filling.
This version keeps the original idea of a flaky apple blossom while staying vegan and compatible with a strict Low-SOS approach.
🫘 Chickpeas 🍘 Rice cakes 🌴 Dates 🍌 Banana 🌼 Vanilla 🧂 Pinch of salt 🥜 Optional: PB&J powder
Blend everything together until a sticky dough forms ✨
Caramel:
🫘 Cannellini beans 🌴 Dates 🧂 Pinch of salt
Blend until smooth and creamy ✨
Topping:
🍫 Melted vegan dark chocolate 🧂 Pinch of salt
Method:
1️⃣ Press the base mixture into a lined container or tray. 2️⃣ Spread the caramel layer on top evenly. 3️⃣ Pour over melted vegan dark chocolate and sprinkle with a pinch of salt. 4️⃣ Place into the freezer for a couple of hours until firm, then slice into bars ✨
Sweet, chewy, chocolatey, and layered with creamy caramel — these healthy Twix-style bars taste seriously indulgent while made from simple wholesome ingredients. Perfect for satisfying sweet cravings and staying on track 💚
Most people only saw Jim cross the finish line… but they didn’t see everything it took to get there.
For months leading up to his 80th birthday, Jim held himself accountable every single day. Even on the days he didn’t feel his best, he showed up anyway.
And even after all that training, Jim still had doubts about whether he could finish in the time he wanted.
But on race day, his entire community showed up, including one of Jim’s old friends — Baseball Hall of Famer Rollie Fingers.
Meg, a staff member at the home, ran the entire 5K beside Jim at his request, recording him and updating him on his lap times.
She said the biggest breakthrough happened during the race itself. Jim didn’t think he’d finish in the time he did… and ended up surprising himself. 💫❤️❤️