Baked apples are a delicious treat. Apples baked with a crumbly oat topping are VERY FREQUENT occurrences in our home. I put together a quick apple crumble on Sunday to take to a Neighborhood Thanksgiving feast and Leah, who decided it was superior in every way to any I had ever made before, demanded a recipe. Now, she knows I don’t follow recipes, but she told me to write out what I had done quickly before I forgot. She didn’t just want quantities, she wanted it with “times and details”.

• 1/2 cup of raisins

Place raisins in a mug, add boiling water to cover, and allow to sit while you prepare and precook the apples.

• +/- 8 Organic Granny Smith apples, washed, sliced (no need to peel)

Butter a baking dish, place the sliced apples in, cover with aluminum foil and bake at 350 F for about 15 minutes. I probably baked mine longer, but I think I overdid it, so I’m adjusting the time for an even more ‘perfect’ result!

• one stick of butter

Use softened butter. I never recommend microwaves. If your butter is not soft, cut it up and put it in a large glass bowl and place it in the oven (while it is heating up, or while the apples are cooking) so that the butter will soften (about 10 minutes). Even if it isn’t fully melted, remove the glass dish from the oven and stir the butter — CAREFULLY — it’s hot. Allow to cool, then add:

• 2 cups whole organic oats
• 1 cup organic coconut flakes (Bob’s Red Mill is my favorite)
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 3 tablespoons sugar (or as desired)
• 1/2 cup pecan pieces
• chopped dates (optional, or to replace the sugar)
• pinch salt

Stir together. Drain the raisins and add to the apples. Cover with the crumble mixture. Pack it down slightly. Bake about 20 minutes at 350 F.

Be sure to have vanilla ice cream on hand. There are some in my family who will refuse to eat even one bite without vanilla ice cream! There are others who would never combine their deserts and want each one separately! You may also top with fresh cream, whipped cream, milk or yogurt! Enjoy

Becky Hastings collects information on health and tries her best to discover and share truth. By God’s grace, through Jesus Christ, I was saved, blessed with a husband of over 40 years, and five precious babies all grown up. I now get to delight as ten grandchildren grow! Together we can help each other discover a healthy path in this crazy upside down world.