A warm, comforting little dessert made for slow afternoons and cosy evenings.
There is something wonderfully simple about a bowl of warm apples, gently softened with cinnamon and topped with golden oats. It is the kind of dessert that doesn't need much, just good apples, a few store cupboard ingredients and a little time.
Serves
4
Ingredients
For the apples
4 large eating apples
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tbsp maple syrup or honey
2 tbsp water
1 tsp vanilla extract
A small pinch of sea salt
For the oat topping
80g rolled oats
30g butter
1 tbsp maple syrup or honey
½ tsp ground cinnamon
30g chopped walnuts or almonds (optional)
Method
1. Prepare the apples
Peel, core and cut the apples into small, even chunks.
2. Gently stew
Place the apples in a saucepan with the cinnamon, maple syrup, water, vanilla and a small pinch of sea salt.
Cover and cook over a low–medium heat for around 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are soft but still retain a little texture. Add another splash of water if they begin to catch.
3. Make the oat topping
While the apples are cooking, melt the butter in a small frying pan. Add the oats, cinnamon and maple syrup and stir well.
Cook for 3–5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the oats are lightly toasted and golden. Stir through the nuts, if using.
4. Serve
Spoon the warm apples into small bowls and scatter generously with the toasted oats.
For an extra little touch of indulgence, serve with a spoonful of Greek yoghurt, crème fraîche or vanilla ice cream.
A Mia Dolce Vita Touch
Make this with whatever apples are in season. There is no need for them to be perfectly uniform — this is a recipe for using what you have and enjoying the simple pleasure of something warm and homemade.
For autumn, try adding a little freshly grated nutmeg or a handful of raisins. In winter, a few chopped dates work beautifully too.
Simple food. Slow moments. Nothing complicated.