This ticks all the boxes for a healthy dessert. The mixture of oats, almonds, berries, dates, and cinnamon creates the perfect sustained energy-releasing treat that packs a hefty nutritional punch.

　　

Ingredients

Serves 4–6

　　

For the filling:

600 grams fresh berries (about 4 1/4 cups)

　　2 Medjool dates, pitted and very finely chopped

　　1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

　　1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

　　

For the crumble:

180 grams quick oats (about 2 1/4 cups)

　　80 grams ground almonds (about 3/4 cup)

　　7 Medjool dates, pitted and very finely chopped

　　4 tablespoons butter

　　3 teaspoons ground ginger

　　Seeds of 1/2 a vanilla pod

　　

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 190°C/ 375°F/ Gas Mark 5.

　　

Step 2

Put the filling ingredients into a pan over low heat and cook for about 4 minutes or until the fruit just begins to soften. Tip the fruit into an ovenproof dish and set this aside.

　　

Step 3

Put the oats, ground almonds, dates, butter, 2 teaspoons of the ground ginger and the vanilla seeds into a bowl and, using your fingertips, rub this gently together to just combine so everything is evenly mixed in. Tip the crumble topping over the fruit and then sprinkle over the remaining 1 teaspoon of ground ginger.

　　

Step 4

Pop into the oven and cook for about 25 minutes or until the crumble is just going golden brown. Once cooked, remove from the oven and leave to cool for a few minutes before serving.

　　Cooks' Note

　　Making a better-for-you crumble was a challenge. The Baking Made Easy in me just wanted to use lots and lots of butter, flour, and the like. I played around with the topping a bit, using things like coconut oil and other butter alternatives, but I settled on butter for the best overall flavor and mouthfeel. I felt that the coconut took over the whole thing and masked the flavor of the fruit, but have a go with both and see which one you prefer.

　　From Eating Well Made Easy © 2016 by Lorraine Pascale. Buy the full book from HarperCollins or from Amazon.Reprinted with permission from HarperCollins.