The ultimate apple crumble recipe

This delicious, warming apple crumble recipe has been spiced up and the topping “healthified” with hemp seeds, which are rich in fatty acids, omega 3 and 6, and high in protein fibre. Plus, the coconut is rich in medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) and antioxidants. Does it even qualify as a dessert?!

Serves: 10–12

Ingredients

Apples

1.25 kg apples, cored and cut into 3-cm wedges
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground star anise
1 teaspoon ground cardamon
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 tablespoons coconut sugar

Topping

2–3 tablespoons coconut sugar, or sugar of your choice
2 cups (130 g) shredded coconut
1 cup (170 g) hemp seeds
1 cup (125 g) slivered almonds
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
½ cup (125 g) salted butter, roughly chopped

Method

Place the apple in a large mixing bowl and sprinkle the spices and coconut sugar over the top. Toss to ensure the apples are evenly coated.
Transfer to a saucepan with 300 ml water, cover with a lid and place over low heat. Leave the apples to stew gently for about 45 minutes, mixing every 10 minutes or so with a wooden spoon.
Meanwhile, make the topping by combining the sugar, coconut, hemp seeds, almonds and cinnamon and tossing together.
Add the butter and use your hands to rub it into the topping ingredients to form a crumb.
Preheat the oven to 150°C.
Once the apples have softened, remove the pan from the heat and transfer the apple mixture to a baking dish.
Sprinkle the topping over the apples and place in the oven for 15 minutes, or until the topping has browned.
Remove from the oven and enjoy with some ice-cream.