Apple & Blackberry Crumble
It's the season for crisp apples and juicy blackberries, and what better way to use them than in this vegan and dairy free Apple & Blackberry Crumble?
Prep Time25 minutes mins
Cook Time1 hour hr
Total Time1 hour hr 25 minutes mins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: british, gluten-free, healthy, vegan, vegetarian
Servings: 6 people
Author: Elizabeth Emery
Filling
- 3 cups blackberries (fresh or frozen)
- 6 tart, juicy medium-sized apples (about 7 cups), peeled and chopped into rough 1-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoon maple syrup or coconut nectar
- Small pinch each of cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg
Crumble
- ¾ cup ground almonds
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 2 tablespoon coconut sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ tsp cloves
- ¼ cup coconut oil or vegan butter
To make the filling
In a saucepan with a lid, gently heat the blackberries on a medium-low heat - stirring frequently - until they are broken down (about 15 minutes - if using frozen berries, they may need a little longer).
Remove from the heat and strain the blackberry mixture through a sieve (with a small enough mesh that that the seeds are removed from the mixture) into a bowl.
Spend a few minutes pressing the mixture gently through the sieve with a wooden spoon to ensure all the juice gets through. Set this juice aside. Discard the thick, seedy pulp that's left.
Heat the apples in a large saucepan with a lid on - on a medium-low heat - adding 1-2 tablespoon of water to avoid sticking. Stir frequently, until the apples have softened and disintegrate when touched with a spoon (about 25-30 minutes).
Remove from the heat and stir in the blackberry mixture along with the maple syrup and spices. Set aside.
To make the crumble
Mix the ground almonds, oats, coconut sugar and spices with a spoon in a large bowl until all ingredients are combined.
Rub the coconut oil/butter into the mixture with your hands until it resembles a breadcrumb-like texture.
To assemble
Spoon the filling into a large oven-proof baking dish, and sprinkle the crumble mixture on top, completely covering the filling.
Bake for about 20 minutes in the oven, until the top is lightly browned.
Serve immediately with ice cream, yoghurt or coconut whipped cream. Enjoy!
Nut-free option - For a nut-free option, simply omit the ground almonds and use an extra ¾ cup oats instead.
Blackberries - If you're wondering where to find blackberries - forage them! They spring up everywhere at this time of year (particularly in sunny spots like beside railway lines or alleyways) and are easy to identify as they don't look like anything else currently growing.
You can of course buy them in stores, but they taste SO much better when picked wild. They're also a completely free, nutritious source of food when found this way, making this recipe cost-effective!
Budget-friendly - Another great way to keep the cost of this Apple & Blackberry Crumble down is by substituting the ground almonds for a cheaper nut or seed.
For a really cost-effective option, sunflower seeds would be my pick. They aren't as sweet and flavourful as almonds, but they don't have a strong taste, are nutrient-dense and cost very little.
What to serve with - Finally, I love serving this crumble with dairy-free ice cream, coconut whip or yoghurt. I particularly like using coconut yoghurt, as I find it has a subtle flavour but is still creamy.
My favourite brand is Yoggu!, if you're looking for some inspiration! You can also try my recipe for making your own coconut whip.