Pretty excited about this recipe to be completely honest. 

As Australia spins away from the sun, the colder months dawn upon us which is the prime time for delicious comfort foods! So, with my feet in slippers, and a big baggy oversized jumper snuggled up on the couch with my pot of adaptogen tea - I say - Bring on the seasons of Curries, Stews and Roasts, and most important - Baked Deserts! Warm, delicious, and now, Healthy!

Apple Crumble always reminds me of Autumn. I'm not sure why. Perhaps its the beautiful burnt red colour of pink lady apples, or that Autumn has warm days and cold days - and apples can be eaten warm or cold. Perhaps its the warmth and comfort that cinnamon and nutmeg bring on a cold night when you're snuggled up on the couch with your loved ones. I really don't know why. There are so many reasons. But one thing I do know is that Autumn is my favourite time of year, for the beautiful colour of the trees, for the crisp air thats so refreshing after a long hot summer and for the amazing comfort foods that are starting to be cooked in everyone's kitchens as we head away from salads which were so perfect in the heat. 

Having 3 young kids (a 3 year old and 1 year old twins - my god where did this year go?) I am always trying to find new foods to introduce them too that not only are delicious and people pleasers, but also foods that hold dense nutritional value. We are a sugar free household here and the only sugars we have available in our pantry are Manuka Honey, and fruit. Manuka Honey I will cook with when there is something exciting coming up and I decide to bake something special, otherwise we leave it for colds and flus. So suffice to say, sugar, no one in this house really eats it. 

This is why I am so excited to present this recipe to you! This desert (although my tribe ate it for breakfast) is the perfect example of not needing sugar or a lot of sweetness to make something delicious! The apples and sultanas in this recipe make it sweet enough that no added sugars are needed, and I think you'll agree! But - if you do wish for some sweetness - you can always drizzle with a little bit of Honey or your sweetener of choice if you have a bit more of a sweet tooth! Just keep it Refined Sugar Free is all I ask. 

This recipe is also posted in our baby section because this contains all good things that are great for breakky times for little bellies! Filled with good fats, Fruit and Fibre, this is great for breakfast or deserts, for little bellies and for big ones. 

So give it a go and let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

Recipe

Time - 1 hr -

Serves - 6 -

What you need:

Pie Dish

-Filling-

2 Pink Lady Apples Cored and sliced thin

1 Teaspoon Cinnamon

1/4 Grated Nutmeg Pod

1 Teaspoon Lemon Juice

1/2 Vanilla Bean Pod

Crumble

1 Cup Mixed Nuts

1 Tablespoon Coconut Flour

1/4 Shredded Coconut

2 Tablespoons Sultanas

3/4 Teaspoon Cinnamon 

1/4 Grated Nutmeg Pod

1/2 Vanilla Pod 

2 Tablespoons Melted Ghee (you can also sub for coconut Oil)

What to do:

Preheat your oven to 200 degrees C

Slice your Apples into thin slices (The thinner they are the quicker they'll cook) and place them in a mixing bowl with the cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice and Vanilla. Stir until all the apple pieces are covered in the spices and lemon juice. Let this sit while you prepare the crumb. 

In a food processor place all of the ingredients EXCEPT THE GHEE, in the food processor and pulse until crumb like. If you blend until the sultanas are chopped through, the nuts release their oil and makes it not very crumbly, so I choose to only pulse until the nuts are crumbs, which means the sultanas are left somewhat whole. I feel it gives a nicer texture. 

Melt your ghee on the stove. 

Pour the melted ghee into the crumb mixture and mix through until all combined.

In your pie dish ( I used a pyrex dish ) Lay the apple slices out in a thin layer, and then keep layering until all the slices are in the dish ( I went for a throw them in and move them around with my hand approach). Pour the crumb onto the apple slices, and spread out with the back of a wooden spoon. Once the pie is covered, firmly press the crumb down with your hands.

Cover with Foil and place into the pre heated oven for 20 minutes.

After 20 minutes, take the foil off, and place back in the oven for a further 10 minutes to brown. 

Serve with Delicious Coconut Yoghurt.