Apple Cranberry Crunch

🍏🍒🥧 Apple Cranberry Crunch 🥧🍏🍒

What is it?
Apple Cranberry Crunch is a delicious dessert that combines the tartness of cranberries with the sweetness of apples, all topped with a crispy and crumbly oat-based topping. It’s a delightful combination of flavors and textures, making it a perfect treat for any occasion.

History:
The exact origin of Apple Cranberry Crunch is a bit unclear, but it is a variation of traditional American fruit crisps and crumbles that have been enjoyed for generations. These desserts were popular because they were easy to make with readily available ingredients, making them a staple in many American homes.

Components:

• Apples: Usually, tart and crisp varieties like Granny Smith or Braeburn work well. They provide sweetness and texture.
• Cranberries: Fresh or frozen cranberries add a delightful tartness to the dish.
• Sugar: To sweeten the fruit mixture.
• Flour: All-purpose flour is used for the fruit filling and the topping.
• Oats: Rolled oats are an essential part of the crunchy topping.
• Butter: Unsalted butter is typically used for the topping to add richness and help with the crispiness.
• Spices: Cinnamon and nutmeg are common spices to enhance the flavor.

Steps to Prepare:
Here’s a step-by-step guide to making a scrumptious Apple Cranberry Crunch:

Ingredients:

• 4 cups of peeled, cored, and sliced apples
• 2 cups of fresh or frozen cranberries
• 1 cup of granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
• 1 cup of rolled oats
• 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup of brown sugar
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) of unsalted butter, cold and cubed

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the sliced apples, cranberries, granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon of flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Toss them together until the fruit is well coated.

3. Transfer the fruit mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.

4. In another bowl, mix together the rolled oats, 1/2 cup of flour, and brown sugar. Add the cold, cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to combine until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

5. Sprinkle the oat and flour mixture evenly over the fruit in the baking dish.

6. Bake in the preheated oven for about 40-45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown, and the fruit is bubbling.

7. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving. It’s best enjoyed warm, perhaps with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Time Needed:
The preparation and baking of Apple Cranberry Crunch typically take around 1 hour. This includes the time for peeling and slicing the apples, mixing the ingredients, and baking in the oven. Keep in mind that cooling time is additional.

Enjoy your Apple Cranberry Crunch, and 🍽️😋!

Certainly, here are the nutrition facts and some health information for Apple Cranberry Crunch:

Nutrition Facts (Approximate, per serving):

• Calories: 250-300 calories per serving (varies based on portion size)
• Total Fat: 8-10 grams
• Saturated Fat: 4-5 grams
• Cholesterol: 15-20 milligrams
• Sodium: 50-60 milligrams
• Total Carbohydrates: 45-50 grams
• Dietary Fiber: 4-6 grams
• Sugars: 25-30 grams
• Protein: 2-3 grams
• Vitamin C: 10-15% of daily recommended intake (mainly from cranberries and apples)
• Calcium: 2-3% of daily recommended intake
• Iron: 6-8% of daily recommended intake

Health Information:

• Fiber: Apple Cranberry Crunch contains a good amount of dietary fiber, which is beneficial for digestive health and helps keep you feeling full and satisfied.

• Antioxidants: Cranberries are rich in antioxidants, particularly vitamin C, which can help boost your immune system and protect against oxidative stress.

• Moderation: While this dessert can be enjoyed in moderation, it’s essential to be mindful of portion sizes due to its sugar and calorie content.

• Added Sugars: Be cautious about the added sugar in this dessert. You can reduce the sugar content by using less sugar in the fruit filling or opting for a sugar substitute.

• Nutrition Variation: The nutrition content may vary based on the specific ingredients used and portion sizes. Using whole-grain oats and reducing sugar in the topping can make it slightly healthier.

Remember that the nutritional values can vary depending on the exact ingredients and serving sizes you use, so it’s a good idea to calculate the nutrition facts based on your specific recipe if you have specific dietary requirements or restrictions.