Apple-Cranberry Crumble

8

Serves


Preparation time: 20 minutes


Baking time: 40 to 55 minutes

With its emphasis on whole grains and fruit, this could be the ideal Magic dessert. We’ve replaced the white flour in the typical recipe with whole wheat to make a 100 percent whole grain topping and substituted fruit juice concentrate and canola oil for much of the butter. This is an extremely versatile concept. The variations at right offer a special dessert for every season. Top off the crumble with a dollop of fat-free vanilla yogurt.

5 cups sliced peeled apples (4–5 medium)

1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries

1/3 cup granulated sugar

2/3 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats

1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

2 teaspoons cinnamon

Pinch of salt

1 tablespoon unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

1 tablespoon canola oil

3 tablespoons frozen apple juice concentrate

1 tablespoon chopped walnuts

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Coat an 8-inch (20-centimter) square baking dish (2-quart/2-liter capacity) with nonstick spray.

2. Combine the apples, cranberries, and granulated sugar in the baking dish. Toss to mix. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes (25 minutes, if using some frozen fruit).

3. Meanwhile, mix the flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt with a fork in a medium bowl. Add the butter and crumble with a pastry blender or your fingertips until well blended. Add the oil and stir to coat. Add the apple juice concentrate and stir and toss until the dry ingredients are moistened.

4. When the crumble has baked for 20 minutes, sprinkle the flour mixture evenly over the fruit. Sprinkle with the walnuts. Bake, uncovered, until the fruit is bubbly and tender and the topping is lightly browned, 20 to 30 minutes longer. Let cool for at least 10 minutes before serving warm or at room temperature. One serving is 1/2 cup.

Per serving: 241 calories, 3 g protein, 46 g carbohydrates, 4 g fiber, 6 g total fat, 1 g saturated fat, 26 mg sodium.

VARIATIONS Peach-Raspberry Crumble

In Step 2, combine 5 cups sliced peeled peaches (2 pounds/1 kilogram), 1 cup raspberries, 2 tablespoons sugar, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice in the baking dish. Toss to mix. In Step 3, reduce cinnamon to 1 teaspoon and substitute frozen orange juice concentrate for the apple juice concentrate. In Step 4, substitute chopped slivered almonds for the walnuts.

Cherry-Raspberry Crumble

In Step 2, combine 5 cups pitted sweet cherries, such as Bing (1 1/2 pounds/700 grams), 1 cup raspberries, 1/3 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice in the baking dish. Toss to mix. In Step 2, reduce the cinnamon to 1 teaspoon and substitute frozen orange juice concentrate for the apple juice concentrate. In Step 3, substitute chopped slivered almonds for the walnuts.

Plum-Walnut Crumble

In Step 2, combine 6 cups sliced plums (2 pounds/1 kilogram), 1/3 cup sugar, 2 teaspoons freshly grated orange zest, and 1 tablespoon orange juice in the baking dish. Toss to mix. In Step 3, reduce the cinnamon to 1 teaspoon.