Consider making this fabulous version of the Thanksgiving classic this year: most of its sweetness comes from apples rather than white sugar, there are only 125 calories per slice, and each serving has 4 grams of protein.

A healthy but luscious contemporary take on everybody’s favorite Thanksgiving pumpkin dessert!

INGREDIENTS

1 cup graham cracker crumbs
2 tablespoons pecans, toasted and ground
1 tablespoon unsweetened applesauce
2 whole eggs
1 cup canned pumpkin
3/4 cup evaporated skim milk
1/4 cup apple juice concentrate
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
Pinch ground cloves
Pinch salt
12 pecan halves
1 teaspoon maple syrup

1. Preheat oven to 350F.

2. In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs with pecans and applesauce. Press into the bottom and halfway up the sides of a 9-inch pie plate, coated with a small amount of canola oil. Set aside.

3. Combine remaining ingredients, except pecan halves and maple syrup, in a large bowl. Mix until blended.

4. Pour pumpkin mixture into pie crust.

4. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean. Refrigerate pie when cool; cut into 12 equal pieces.

6. In a small bowl, coat pecan halves with syrup. Transfer to a lightly oiled baking sheet, reduce heat to 325F and bake for 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from oven. Place one pecan on the outer edge of each slice of pie before serving.

Serves 12.

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