Apple & Mixed Berries Crumble
a delightful crumble that can be enjoyed as breakfast, an afternoon snack or dessert!
. . .
perfect combination between sweetness and tartness, this crumble is simply the best!
{no-oil added & can be gluten-free}
This super warming, aromatic and delicious crumble is so easy and quick to prepare. It is perfect as a weekend breakfast, an afternoon snack, even as a dessert - it’s a chameleon of a dish and that’s what I love about it!
It is also extremely versatile - if you do not have mixed berries, just use frozen blueberries or strawberries; if you only have (or prefer) pears at home, use them instead of apples. It is truly a no-fuss, whatever-you-want-to-make-it type of a dish. There is also no-oil added and can also be gluten-free, if needed. Believe me, I know it does not look very presentable when served, but it is so delicious, everyone will be asking for a second serving!
additional information
Apples - among the world’s most popular fruits! They are high in fiber, vitamin C, and various antioxidants, which help moderate blood sugar levels, promote gut health, improve heart health, and lower risk of cancer and diabetes.
Berries - are high in antioxidants, fiber, minerals and nutrients, which may protect your cells from free radical damage, may improve blood sugar and insulin response, may help reduce inflammation and decrease your risk of heart disease and other health problems, and may even help decrease wrinkling and other signs of skin aging related to sun exposure.
Oats - a whole grain, rich in carbs and fiber, as well as higher in protein and fat than other grains. Also rich in minerals and vitamins, oats are among the most nutrient-dense foods.
Almonds - high in monounsaturated fats, fiber, protein and important nutrients. They are also loaded with antioxidants, high in vitamin E and magnesium, and can assist with blood sugar control.
Maple Syrup - made by boiling sap collected from certain maple species, during which process the phytochemicals naturally present in tree sap are concentrated in maple syrup. While it is comparable in calories and carbs to sugar, maple syrup has a lower glycemic index and since it tends to be sweeter, you can use less of it. But be advised that, as with any sweetener, moderation is key.
Spices - have the highest concentration of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, which benefit greatly your cardiovascular health and gut microbiome. Spices are not only a great way to add extra flavor to a meal, but also to add more health benefits.
needed ingredients
preparation details
I need to make a disclaimer, which should come to no surprise to anyone by now - I do not peel my apples! The reason is twofold:
the majority of nutrients are in the skin, so it does not make sense to me to remove it
I just do not feel like dealing with it; peeling stuff is just not my thing, but you do whatever makes you happy
So whether you peel or do not peel your apples is totally up to you, but the removal of the core with the seeds is essential. Once core is removed, chop your apples into 1”/ 2cm cubes and place in a medium-size pot.
Add the rest of the ingredients for the filling - maple syrup, vanilla extract, cinnamon, allspice, coriander, cardamom and mix well. Put the pot over medium-high heat and cook for 10 min., stirring every couple of minutes.
* You can also use pears instead of apples; have not tried with quince, but that may end up being nice as well. I would chop the quince into smaller cubes, as they are harder than apples, and maybe cook on the stove for 20 min.
Now is the time to turn the oven on to 360F convection/ 180C fan.
While the apples are cooking, start preparing the crumble topping by first placing all of the dry ingredients to a large bowl - oats, almond flour, slivered almonds, cinnamon, allspice, coriander, ginger, cardamom and mix well.
* I do want to stress the fact that although it seems like a lot of spices are being added to the dish, it really tastes great at the end and is not overpowered by the spices. However, if you are really worried about the amount of aromatic spices used, simply cut the portions in half.
In a separate bowl mix together the maple syrup, almond butter, plant-based (I used almond) milk and mix well. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix with a spatula until it turns into a crumbly mass.
Once the apples have cooked, add the frozen berries and dried cranberries to the pot and mix well.
* There are plenty of substitutions that can be made with the frozen berries - you can use mixed berries (which I prefer to use), strawberries, blueberries, blackberries; really, use whatever frozen berries you have on hand or prefer.
Pour the fruit mixture into a 8” x 12'“ (20cm x 30cm) baking dish.
Add the crumble topping and spread evenly over the fruit filling. Break down any large lumps of crumble, so it bakes evenly.
Cover the crumble with foil and bake for 15 min., then remove the foil, rotate the tray and bake for another 10-15 min. Keep an eye on the crumble for the last 5 min., as it can brown very quickly.
You can serve this crumble straight out of the oven, or you can let it cool down for a bit and serve at room temperature, you can even serve it cold! Its serving style is as diverse as the ways you can prepare it, so choose whichever one you like best.
I love having it straight out of the oven topped with some soya yogurt if it is for breakfast, or topped with some vanilla (or coconut) ice cream if I am feeling more the dessert vibe. I also love having the crumble the next day when the spices have really been absorbed and tastes even more flavorful. Whichever way you choose to serve it and enjoy it, one thing is for sure - you will keep going back to the baking dish for seconds!
recipe
Apple & Mixed Berries Crumble
A delightful crumble that can be enjoyed as breakfast, an afternoon snack or dessert! The perfect combination between sweetness and tartness, this crumble is simply the best!
{vegetarian & vegan friendly}
{no added oil & can be gluten-free}
Author: The Kitchen Plot
Prep Time: 10 min.
Cook Time: 40 min.
Overall Time: 50 min.
Serves: 6-8 people
Perfect for: breakfast, snack, dessert
Keeps for: 3-4 days, refrigerated
* This recipe is adapted from the cookbook Deliciously Ella Quick & Easy: Plant-based Deliciousness by Ella Mills
Ingredients
for fruit filling:
7 apples, cored & chopped into 1” cubes *
4 Tbsp maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground allspice
1/2 tsp ground cardamom
1/2 tsp ground coriander
for the crumble topping:
150 g (1 1/4 cup) rolled oats (for GF version, use GF oats)
100 g (1 cup) almond flour
50 g (1/2 cup) slivered almonds
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground allspice
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp ground cardamom
3 Tbsp smooth almond butter
6 Tbsp maple syrup
2 Tbsp plant-based milk (I used almond)
1 Tbsp vanilla extract
additional fruit filling:
200-300 g (1-1/2 - 2 cups) of frozen mixed berries **
50 g (1/2 cup) dried cranberries
* possible apple substitutes - pears, quince (see ‘preparation details’ section above for more)
* * possible mixed berries substitutes - blueberries, strawberries, blackberries or whatever other berries you have or prefer
Method
Pre-heat oven to 360F convection/ 180C fan and prepare a 8”x12”(20cm x 30cm) baking dish.
To prepare the fruit filling - place the cored and cubed apples into a medium-size pot, add the rest of the fruit filling ingredients into the pot, stir well and put over medium heat. Cook for 10 min., stirring every couple of minutes.
To prepare the crumble topping (do this while the fruit filling is cooking)- place all of the dry ingredients through cardamom in a large bowl and mix well, then add the rest of the ingredients and mix well with a spatula until it becomes a crumbly mixture. Break down any large lumps as you want them to be about the same size to bake evenly.
Once the apples are done, add the frozen mixed berries and dried cranberries to the pot and mix well.
Transfer the apple-berries mixture to the prepared baking dish, spread the crumble topping on top, making sure it is spread evenly and cover with aluminum foil. Bake for 15 min. covered, then remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 min., watching it closely towards the last 5 min. as it tends to brown very quickly on top.
It can be served hot straight out of the oven topped with a scoop of yogurt or, if you are feeling the dessert vibe, go ahead and use vanilla (or coconut) ice cream; it can be served at room temperature or even the next day when the spices have released their flavor and it is even more delicious!
The crumble will keep for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
Bon appétit!
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