Apple Berry Crumble

On a recent family holiday, we discovered a mulberry tree, full of ripe, juicy purple berries! So what a perfect excuse to bake with them! This crumble was absolutely delicious, bursting with purple colour and berry flavour.  Combined with the apples and a crisp, nutty crunch on top, I've got to say this was one of the best crumbles I have ever made! If you don't happen to stumble across a berry bush, frozen berries would work just fine :)

Apple Berry Crumble 

Ingredients:

800g tin pie apple*

165g berries (fresh or frozen, I used mulberries)

130g rolled oats

210g brown sugar

90g dessicated coconut

135g nuts (I used macadamias and almonds), chopped

90g plain flour

125g butter, melted

Method:

Preheat an oven to 180°C (350°F).

Fill the bottom of a 23cm (9 inch) square baking dish with the apple, then sprinkle the berries evenly on top.

To make the crumble, combine oats, sugar, coconut, nuts and flour. Stir to combine.

Add the melted butter to the flour mixture, and stir well until combined and ‘crumbly’. Sprinkle on top of the apply berry mixture, pressing down on top.

Bake for 17-20 minutes, or until golden. Remove from oven and run a fork over the mixture to raise the crumble. Return to the oven for another 5-10 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.

Serve warm (and with a nice big scoop of vanilla ice-cream, if desired),

* To make your own apple filling, take about 9-10 medium green apples. Peel, core and cut into thin wedges. Place them in a medium saucepan, and add about 80mls cold water. Bring to the boil then reduce heat, and simmer, covered for 5-10 minutes until fairly soft and tender. Drain, then stir in approximately 25g sugar and 10mls lemon juice.

Source: Bec original. Apple filling adapted from Super Food Ideas, April 2008, page 81 (Apple Pie)