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Cranberry Apple Crumble is a delicious dessert made with fresh apples and dried cranberries, and it’s vegan and gluten-free! And if you can find reduced-sugar dried cranberries, they will be perfect for this recipe.

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Cranberry Apple Crumble in baking dish with one serving on plate

This Cranberry Apple Crumble doesn’t have added sugar, and it’s gluten-free and less sweet and more nutritious than most of the cranberry apple desserts you’ll see. And that’s important at this time of year, when sweet treats are everywhere you look, and trying to avoid them sometimes feels hopeless.

The holidays are definitely a challenge for people who are trying to limit carbs. But what can make the cravings for holiday sweets easier to satisfy is making sweet treats that are lower in sugar and full of healthy ingredients. And this Cranberry Apple Crumble does have some carbs, but it’s is a better option during the holidays then most of the sugar-filled treats that are abundant.

This recipe was inspired by a low-sugar pumpkin crumble dessert I really liked, and this version with apples and cranberries was just as good. And this is extra easy to make! I hope you’ll try it if you’re a fan of cranberries and apples!

What ingredients do you need?

(This is only a list of ingredients; please scroll down for complete printable recipe. Or if you use the JUMP TO RECIPE link at the top of the page, it will take you directly to the complete recipe with ingredients amounts.)

What makes the Cranberry Apple Crumble a healthier dessert?

Of course apples have some natural sugar, but this recipe uses Monkfruit Sweetener, which is a natural no-calorie sweetener. I use coconut oil instead of butter, and although there are not a huge amount of dried cranberries, I prefer reduced-sugar dried cranberries. And instead of the flour that’s traditional in this type of dessert, my recipe uses almond flour.

Will Golden Monkfruit Sweetener work for Cranberry Apple Crumble?

I’m a fan of both Classic Monkfruit Sweetener (affiliate link and Golden Monkfruit Sweetener (affiliate link), and either can be used for this recipe.

Is this Cranberry Apple Crumble low in carbs?

A dessert with apples and dried cranberries can’t ever be really low in carbs, and this recipe has about 30 net carbs per serving. But I consider this to be a holiday treat, and it’s definitely lower in carbs than lots of other treats you’ll be offered during the holidays!

Cranberry Apple Crumble collage of recipe steps

How to make Cranberry Apple Crumble:

(This is only a summary of the steps for the recipe; please scroll down for complete printable recipe. Or if you use the JUMP TO RECIPE link at the top of the page, it will take you directly to the complete recipe.)

  1. I used a mix of red and green apples for best flavor.
  2. Heat butter or coconut oil over low heat and add the apples as you peel and slice them.
  3. When all apples are added to the pan add the Monkfruit sweetener (or sweetener of your choice), cinnamon, and apple pie spice (if using) and cook a few minutes
  4. Then add dried cranberries and cook a few minutes more.
  5. I originally used butter in this recipe, but this time we melted coconut oil to use for the crumble topping.
  6. Grind the oatmeal in a food processor (affiliate link), then add the almond flour and sweetener and pulse again.
  7. Add the melted coconut oil and pulse a few more times.
  8. Put the slightly-cooked apples and cranberries into a baking dish and spread the crumble topping over.
  9. Bake about 30 minutes, or until the mixture is slightly bubbling and starting to brown on top.
  10. Serve Cranberry Apple Crumble hot, topped with whipped cream or ice cream if you don’t mind a few more carbs.

Cranberry Apple Crumble shown in baking dish on cutting board

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Cranberry Apple Crumble finished crumble in baking dish with one serving on plate
Yield: 8 servings

Cranberry Apple Crumble

Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour

This low-sugar and gluten-free Cranberry Apple Crumble is a festive dessert that’s healthier than traditional sweet treats you'll see during the holidays.

Ingredients

Ingredients:

  • 8 large apples (any type of cooking apple will work; I like a mix of red and green apples)
  • 2 tsp. coconut oil (see notes)
  • 1/3 cup Monkfruit Sweetener (see notes)
  • 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp. apple pie spice (optional)
  • 1/4 C dried cranberries or reduced-sugar dried cranberries

Crumble Topping Ingredients:

  • 1 C Gluten-Free Rolled Oats (see notes)
  • 1/3 C almond flour
  • 1/3 C Monkfruit Sweetener or sweetener of your choice
  • 3 T melted coconut oil

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400F (200C).
  • Spray a glass or crockery baking dish (about 9″ x 13″ size) lightly with coconut oil or non-stick spray.
  • Melt 2 tsp. coconut oil, butter, or trans-fat free margarine in large non-stick frying pan turned to very low heat.
  • Peel apples one at a time, cut into slices and place in frying pan.
  • When all apples are in pan, add sweetener, cinnamon, and apple pie spice (if using).
  • Cook a few minutes, and when apples are starting to soften add dried cranberries and cook a few minutes more.
  • While apple mixture cooks, put oatmeal into food processor or the bowl of an immersion blender and process about 30 seconds, just until oatmeal is starting to be finely ground.
  • Add almond meal and other 1/3 cup sweetener and pulse to combine.
  • Melt the coconut oil, butter, or margarine, add to the food processor, and pulse a few seconds to combine.
  • Pour cooked apple mixture into the bottom of a 9 X 13 inch crockery or glass casserole dish. (If you only have a metal pan, I would spray it very well with non-stick spray.)
  • Sprinkle the crumble mixture over the top of apples in an even layer.
  • Bake 30 minutes, or until the mixture is slightly bubbling and lightly browned on top.
  • Serve the Cranberry Apple Crumble hot.
  • This would be great with whipped cream or ice cream on top for those who don't mind more carbs.

    • Notes

    I'd make this with Monkfruit Sweetener or Golden Monkfruit Sweetener, but use any no-calorie sweetener of your choice.

    Use butter instead of coconut oil if you prefer.

    Grind the oatmeal in a food processor or bowl attachment of immersion blender;  be sure to use Gluten-Free rolled oats if needed.

    Most stores sell Almond Flour (affiliate link), and I buy it at Costco!

    Nutritional information is calculated using Monkfruit sweetener and reduced-sugar dried cranberries.

    Recipe adapted from Low Sugar Pumpkin Apple Crumble.

    Nutrition Information

    Yield

    8

    Serving Size

    1
    Amount Per Serving Calories 235Total Fat 9.4gSaturated Fat 5.5gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 3.1gCholesterol 0mgSodium 4mgCarbohydrates 39gFiber 8gSugar 22.5gProtein 3g

    Nutrition information is automatically calculated by the Recipe Plug-In I am using. I am not a nutritionist and cannot guarantee 100% accuracy, since many variables affect those calculations.

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    © Kalyn Denny
    Category: Desserts and Baking
    square image of Cranberry Apple Crumble shown in baking dish on cutting board

    Low-Carb Diet / Low-Glycemic Diet / South Beach Diet Suggestions:
    Cranberry Apple Crumble does have natural sugar from the apples and dried cranberries, so it can’t be completely sugar-free. You could make this lower in carbs by omitting the dried cranberries if you prefer. For the original South Beach Diet, even with an approved sweetener (and using the coconut oil or trans-fat free margarine South Beach recommends) it’s probably for phase 3, or an occasional treat for phase two.

    Find More Recipes Like This One:
    Use Desserts and Baking Recipes to find more recipes like this one. Use the Diet Type Index to find recipes suitable for a specific eating plan. You might also like to follow Kalyn’s Kitchen on Pinterest, on Facebook, on Instagram, on TikTok, or on YouTube to see all the good recipes I’m sharing there.

    Historical Notes for this Recipe:
    Cranberry Apple Crumble was first posted in 2008. It was updated with better photos and Pinterest image of Cranberry Apple Crumble

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