Citric Acid Free Apple Cranberry Crumble
Warm baked fruit desserts are pure comfort food, but for anyone avoiding citric acid, packaged versions and even some homemade recipes can be a minefield of hidden additives and preservatives. This crumble keeps things beautifully clean, leaning on fresh or frozen cranberries, sliced apples, and a touch of lemon juice as the only acidic element — no citric acid derivatives lurking in the mix. The filling gets its body from arrowroot starch, which thickens everything into a glossy, jammy layer as it bubbles away in the oven, while Ceylon cinnamon, ginger, and turmeric add a warmth that feels almost spiced-cider cozy. The topping is where things get really satisfying — cassava flour and tapioca starch come together with solid coconut oil and shredded coconut to form those irresistible golden, crumbly clusters that shatter when you dig in. Maple syrup does all the sweetening throughout, so there's no refined sugar to second-guess. After about 40 minutes in a 350°F oven, your kitchen will smell incredible, and that 10-minute rest before serving is genuinely worth the patience — the filling thickens up perfectly and every scoop holds together beautifully.
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Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
For the filling
- 5 medium apples (about 2 lbs), peeled, cored, and sliced ¼-inch thick
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp arrowroot starch
- 1 tsp ceylon cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
For the crumble topping
- ¾ cup cassava flour
- 2 tbsp tapioca starch
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- ¼ cup coconut oil, solid
- ¼ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- ½ tsp ceylon cinnamon
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9-inch baking dish with a small amount of coconut oil.
- 2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the sliced apples, cranberries, 3 tbsp maple syrup, arrowroot starch, 1 tsp Ceylon cinnamon, ground ginger, ground turmeric, and lemon juice. Toss until the fruit is evenly coated and the arrowroot is fully dissolved into the mixture. Transfer to the prepared baking dish and spread into an even layer.
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