Recipe Share -Aunty Glen's Apple Crumble

I think we all have a dish (or dishes) in our lives that have a nostalgic meaning. That dish for me is my Aunty Glen’s Apple Crumble. My Aunty Glen passed away 5 years ago and she left a pretty big hole in our family. She was absolutely our matriarch.

Aunty Glen was a hard working, determined, stubborn woman who was wise, fiercely loyal and loved to travel. She had a very quick, sharp tongue (god help you if you were on the end of it!) and loved her family with every ounce of her being. She had a wicked sweet tooth and loved nothing more than a bowl (or tub) of ice cream and a good slice of Lumber Jack cake covered in a big dollop of thick cream.

I was named after my Aunty Glen (my middle name is Glen) and we were very close. Especially as I got older. She played an important role in my life, showing me the value of family and teaching me to appreciate the ugly beauty of Royal Doulton’s Uncle Toby jugs!!!

She was always interested in my adventures and strongly supported me along the way. I really miss her and her wisdom. I LOVED her apple crumble. It was and still is my most favourite dessert of all time. There’s just something about it, I think it’s the buttery crumble. She refused to share her recipe with me when she was alive (I told you she was stubborn!) but after she passed away, I went behind her back and got the recipe from my Mum. I can hear her sharp tongue as I type for being sneaky!

Anyway, here it is. I know deep down, she would absolutely love that I have put a spotlight on her. She loved to be Queen.

INGREDIENTS

120g unsalted softened butter

1⁄2 cup self-raising flour

1⁄2 cup caster sugar

1⁄2 cup desiccated coconut

1⁄2 cup powdered milk

1 kg Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, quartered and thinly sliced

1 tsp cinnamon

METHOD

Pre-heat the oven to 180 ̊C. In a large bowl add the sliced apple and cinnamon. Mix through until the apples are coated in the cinnamon. Place in a greased baking dish and place in the oven for 10 minutes to warm while you are making the crumble.

Place all dry ingredients in a bowl and add the softened butter. Rub the butter in until you have a fine crumb.

Take the apples from the oven and cover evenly with the crumb. Return to the oven and bake for 45 minutes or until lightly golden.

Remove from the oven and allow to stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Serve with a big dollop of double thick cream or ice cream or both!

Serves 6

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