Eat to beat diabetes: Healthier apple pie

This popular Canadian dessert doesn't have to be fattening. This version has all the tart sweetness of the real deal but only a third of the calories thanks to switch to light margarine, artificial sweetener and low-fat milk.

This apple pie has all the taste of the usual recipe but only about one-third the calories per serving. Work quickly when rolling the dough. This will ensure the margarine doesn't soften and make the dough sticky because light margarine contains more water than regular margarine. Preparation time is 30 minutes and baking time 1 hour. This recipe and serves eight.

• 45 mL (3 tbsp) light tub margarine
• 125 g (1/2 c) flour
• 1 mL(1/4 tsp) salt
• 15 mL (1 tbsp) canola oil
• 22 mL (1 1/2 tbsp) cold water
• 15 mL (1 tbsp) quick-cooking tapioca
• 6 medium baking apples (Granny Smith or Macintosh), peeled, cored and sliced
• 150 mL (2/3 c) artificial sweetener
• 7 to 15 mL (1/2 to 1 tbsp) ground cinnamon
• 5 mL (1 tsp) skim or fat-free milk (optional)

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. Place the margarine in the freezer until very cold but not frozen.
3. Combine the flour and salt in a medium bowl. Cut in the chilled margarine with a pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Add the oil and blend quickly. Sprinkle the water evenly over the flour and stir lightly with a fork until moistened.
4. Shape the dough into a ball and roll between two sheets of lightly floured wax paper, making a 25 centimetre (10 inch) circle about three millimitres (1/8 inch) thick.
5. Sprinkle the tapioca on the bottom of a 23 centimetre (nine inch) pie plate to absorb liquid from the apples during cooking.
6. Add the apples and sweetener and sprinkle with the cinnamon. Place the crust over the apples. Crimp the edges to seal and cut slits in the top. Brush lightly with the milk, if desired.
7. Bake until the crust is golden and a knife inserted into centre of the pie comes out easily, about one hour.

Nutritional information per serving using a thin crust: 160 Calories, 6.5 g Fat

Nutritional information per serving using a butter/shortening thick crust and sugar: 470 Calories, 24 g Fat