Individual Grainfree Apple & Cinnamon Crumbles

I don’t normally make desserts as neither Dan nor I have a sweet tooth, but when we have guests over I make the extra effort – and if I’m making a dessert, I might as well make one that I can eat, right?  This time of year, it’s all about comfort food and crumble definitely comes top of the list!

I decided on apple crumble as I had been given some apples by my mum from our garden at home and I thought this would be the perfect way to use them.  I also decided to add cinnamon as I’m trying to eat a more anti-inflammatory diet at the moment and cinnamon is very good for digestion – and it tastes great!  So Apple & Cinnamon Crumbles it was!  This recipe made enough for 4 individual (but quite large) crumbles so if made in a large dish it could probably serve up to 6!

I started by peeling and slicing the apples.  I sliced each one into quarters and took the core out, then sliced each quarter into about 10 slices.   (The thinner you slice them, the faster they will cook, but it doesn’t really matter about the size of the pieces).  Then I added them to a saucepan with 100ml of water and cooked them over a low heat with the lid on, stirring occasionally until they start to break down.

I like my apples quite chunky, so when I get to the stage in the picture below I take them off, but it’s a personal preference (about 20-30 mins should do it).  Alternatively, you can put them in a microwaveable dish with the water and blast them for 4-5mins for a similar effect.  (I try to limit my use of the microwave wherever possible so prefer to cook them on the hob).

Once they are at this stage you add the cinnamon and the honey.  Start off with half the honey and then taste and add more if needed.  You may even need to add more than I did if your apples are especially tart, but remember that the crumble topping is VERY VERY sweet so don’t over sweeten the apples.  You need just enough to take the edge off of the sourness.

The bonus is that at this point your kitchen will smell amazing!  I love the smell of cinnamon in cooking – it almost smells like Christmas!

Next, fill the ramekins about two-thirds of the way full with the apple mixture.  I made individual ones but you could always just make one large one if you prefer family-style eating!

Then it’s time to prepare the crumble topping.  Add the ground almonds, coconut oil and honey to a food processor and pulse until the mixture starts to form clumps like in the picture.  Spoon the mixture onto the top of the apple and set aside until you are ready to cook – but don’t put them in the fridge.  Room temperature is best otherwise the apple won’t cook before the top burns!  If you’re making these in advance, you can keep them in the fridge overnight but make sure to bring them to room temperature before cooking.

I put the crumbles into the oven as we sat down to our main course of Slow Roasted Lamb Shoulder.  The oven was at a nice low 140C (280F) temperature, already pre-heated from the lamb and it took us about 20mins to eat our mains .  This was just about the right amount of time in the oven for the crumbles (although maybe a bit too long as they were just starting to burn on the top.  I have to confess that I forgot about them a bit!)  If the top starts to burn before the filling is heated through, you can always cover them with a piece of tin foil which should prevent further browning.  Almond flour tends to burn quite easily so you need to keep an eye on it – take them out just as they begin to brown.

I served the apple & cinnamon crumbles with a choice of cream, ice-cream or custard.  Everyone went for the custard – traditional English style!  It was such a treat to have a dessert and this one is so easy to make.  It really is the perfect one for when you have guests over and a million other things to do.  Warming and hearty and sweet, it feels very decadent but there are no refined carbohydrates or refined sugars, only natural ingredients.

You could always change-up the filling.  Maybe add in some blackberries or switch out the apple for rhubarb or plums, whatever you have to hand or whatever your taste buds are craving.

What’s your favourite fruit crumble?  I need some ideas for a new filling!! Try my Grainfree Apple & Blackberry Crumble too for a different twist on the recipe.

Individual Apple & Cinnamon Crumbles

Delicious warming apple & cinnamon crumble. The perfect autumn dessert

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Prep Time 40 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Course Bread & Baking, Dessert

Cuisine British, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Grain-Free, Low Carb, Paleo, Refined Sugar-Free, SCD, Vegan, Vegetarian

Servings 4 people

Ingredients

  

For the Apple & Cinnamon Base

• 8 cooking apples
• 2 tsps cinnamon
• 1 tbsp honey
• 100 ml water

For the Topping

• 200 g ground almonds (almond flour)
• 2 tbsps honey
• 2 tbsps coconut oil

Instructions

 

• Peel and slice the apples into small pieces.
• Add the apples to a saucepan with the water and cook over a low heat with the lid on until they start to break down. (about 20 minutes)
• Add the cinnamon & honey to taste and stir through.
• Fill the dishes about 2/3 full with the apple cinnamon mixture.
• Preheat the oven to 140C (280F).
• Add the ground almonds, coconut oil and honey to a food processor and pulse until the mixture starts to form clumps
• Spoon the mixture onto the top of the apple.
• Cook for around 20 minutes watching closely to ensure the topping doesn't burn.
• Serve with cream, custard or ice cream.

Allergy & Dietary Information for Individual Apple & Cinnamon Crumbles

This recipe is Grain-Free, Gluten-Free, Dairyfree & Refined-Sugar Free.  It’s also suitable for SCD, Paleo, Low Carb, Vegetarian & Vegan Diets.

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