Cozy up to this homey crisp any time of the day. It makes a satisfying dessert a la mode topped with whipped cream or a breakfast treat or snack topped with yogurt. Baking the apples and cranberries releases their natural sugars and results in a perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors.

For the topping:
½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
½ cup toasted walnuts, pecans or almonds
½ cup whole wheat flour
3 tablespoons white grape juice concentrate
2 tablespoons Splenda or brown sugar
2 tablespoons (¼ stick) butter, at room temperature
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
½ teaspoons ground nutmeg (optional)
½ teaspoon salt (optional)

For the filling:
6 medium-size baking apples, peeled, cored and sliced, each slice cut in half
½ cup dried cranberries
¼ cup raisins
1 cup white grape juice concentrate or apple juice concentrate
2 tablespoons quick-cooking tapioca
1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Vegetable oil cooking spray

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 F
  2. Prepare the topping: Place the oats, walnuts, whole wheat flour, grape juice concentrate, Splenda, butter, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt, if using, in a food processor, and process until the mixture is crumbly.
  3. Prepare the filling: Place the apples, cranberries, raisins, grape juice concentrate, tapioca, flaxseed and cinnamon in a mixing bowl and stir to mix well.
  4. Lightly coat a nonstick 8- to 9-inch square baking pan with vegetable oil cooking spray (an 8-inch pan will produce a chunkier crisp; in a 9-inch pan the apples will become more caramelized). Spoon the fruit filling into the prepared baking pan, spreading it out in an even layer. Spread the topping evenly over the fruit, patting it down with a spoon (the topping won’t completely cover the filling).
  5. Bake until the topping is golden brown, about 35 minutes. Let it cool slightly and serve warm. Any leftovers can be refrigerated, covered, for up to 3 days. Let it come to room temperature or rewarm in a 300 F oven before serving.

Makes one 8- or 9-inch crisp

Nutrition Info:
1 portion (1/8 crisp) provides:

Vitamin C: 1 serving
Other fruits and vegetables: 1 serving