Apple crumble is so scrumptious and should be a pretty healthy dessert option, but alas, it usually and unnecessarily contains sugar. There are 2 reasons for using sugar in apple crumble: 1. to sweeten cooking apples (as they are tart so need to be sweetened) and 2. to help the topping get nice and golden and crunchy. But you can make this dessert without using any sugar at all, and it will still be deliciously sweet and crunchy, no problem! Just do a swap of two ingredients - use honey instead of sugar in the topping and to sweeten the cooking apples, or simply use sweet apples instead of cooking apples. Cooking apples are the favourite option for apple desserts, mainly because they 'fall' (break down) easily, as other varieties of apple don't break down much when cooked. But this is fine, however, as you just need to cook them slightly longer, and mash them up a bit. Simple.
What you will need:
10 medium sweet apples - e.g. gala, pink lady or 6 large cooking apples with 3-4 tblsp honey
3 tblsp water
6oz wholewheat flour
3oz butter
3 tblsp honey
3oz oats
3oz chopped almonds
1 tsp cinnamon
Method:
Peel and core the apples.
Chop the apples into small chunks and put into a pan with the water.
Cook on moderate heat until the apples soften - about 15-20 minutes. Depending on the variety of apples you use, some 'fall' easier than others, so if your chunks of apple are soft but still remain in chunks, use a potato masher to gently mash them (unless you prefer them chunky). Don't overdo the mashing or you could end up with them being a bit sloppy. Add the cinnamon and stir in. Add honey if you've used cooking apples, but as I have chosen sweet gala apples there's no need to add any honey.
Set aside to cool whilst you prepare the crumble topping.
In a large bowl rub the butter into the flour using your fingertips until it resembles fine breadcrumbs.
Drizzle the honey into the mixture and again use your fingers to rub the honey in. It starts off being very sticky and you'll have mixture stuck all over your hands (!) but you can just rub your palms together to get it off, and keep rubbing with your fingers until the honey is mixed in and the mixture looks 'clumpy'.
Add the oats and chopped almonds, and mix in with a spoon.
Spoon the apple evenly into a suitable oven-proof dish.
Cover the apple with the crumble topping and press down firmly using the back of a spoon.
Bake in a preheated oven at 180 degrees Celcius for 35-45 minutes until golden-brown and crunchy. Serve hot or cold, with or without custard or cream! Delicious!!!
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