REAL-LIFE STORIES, NEWS, TIPS & EVENTS

CRUMBLE O’CLOCK: WARM APPLE CRUMBLE

There’s something about the smell of baked apples and cinnamon that makes a house feel like home — and this wholesome crumble delivers exactly that. Naturally sweet, high in fibre, and free from refined sugar, it’s the kind of dessert you can feel good about. Perfect for a cosy weekend in your new Vivacity home.

Ingredients

Apple Filling
• 6 medium apples (Pink Lady, Fuji or Golden Delicious)
• 250ml apple juice (100%)
• 5ml vanilla extract or paste
• 1g ground cinnamon (approx. ¼ tsp)
• ½ orange, zested

Crumble Topping
• 150g rolled oats (or rolled quinoa for gluten-free)
• 50g desiccated or flaked coconut
• 2g ground cinnamon (approx. ½ tsp)
• 5ml vanilla extract or paste
• 60ml maple syrup or honey
• 60ml macadamia nut oil, coconut oil or butter
• 50g walnuts or macadamia nuts

Method
1. Cook the apples. Wash the apples and cut into wedges with the skin on, discarding the core. Place in a large, heavy-based pot with the apple juice, vanilla, cinnamon and orange zest. Cook over medium-low heat for 20–30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples have fully softened. Tip: cover the pot for the first 10 minutes to help release moisture, then remove the lid for the last 10 minutes so excess liquid evaporates. Set aside.

2. Make the crumble. Preheat your oven to 160°C (140°C fan-forced). Add the oats, coconut, cinnamon, vanilla, maple syrup, oil and nuts to a food processor. Pulse for a few seconds until the mixture is combined and crumbly. Taste and adjust spices if needed.

3.> Assemble and bake. Spoon the apple mixture into a pie dish or baking dish. Scatter the crumble evenly over the top. Bake for 30 minutes, or until the topping is lightly golden.

4. Serve. Remove from the oven and serve warm on its own, or with a dollop of yoghurt, a drizzle of coconut cream, or a pour of homemade custard.

Notes & Variations
• Gluten-free? Swap the oats for 150g of almond meal or flaked almonds.
• Mix it up: Pears work beautifully in place of apples. You can also try banana and blueberry — just cook them briefly in a little coconut oil before assembling.
• Apple tip: Pink Lady and Golden Delicious are naturally sweet, so no added sugar is needed.