Last month I wrote an article for Lovefood.com about surprising uses for everyday ingredients – which included a lovely dessert my mum makes using cornflakes. It’s a summery take on a fruit crumble, and I’ve since been asked to share the recipe.
No one really feels like eating crumble in the summer, so this is perfect for using up the glut of apples, blackberries or even plums. Whatever you fancy really.
I used to hate eating stewed fruit as a child, but if mum put cream and this divine crunchy and sweet cornflake topping on then i’d happily clear my bowl. So now I’ve tried the same approach on my own children to see what they make of it.
The recipe is adapted from one of my mum’s old Good Housekeeping books. The amount of apple I include below is far more than you need for this dessert alone, so you can either make less or freeze the leftovers. The topping is enough to feed four generously and you can decide how much yoghurt you use.
I’ve opted to use greek yoghurt as it’s super creamy but fresher tasting than cream or the evaporated milk from the 1960’s recipe. You could always use cold custard as I’m sure that would be really yummy too.
Apple cornflake crunch
6 bramley apples, peeled, cored and chopped into chunks
2 heaped tbsp soft dark brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
large tub of greek yoghurt
50g butter
2 tbsp golden syrup
40g cornflakes
1. Put the apple chunks into a large saucepan, splash in a bit of cold water, scatter with the sugar and cinnamon. Place over a low heat and gently cook until mushed down – stirring occasionally. Leave to cool.
2. Make the crunchy topping by melting the butter and syrup in a pan, then stir in the cornflakes until well coated.
3. You can either use one big bowl or several dessert glasses here. Put an even layer of the cooked apple at the bottom, then a layer of the yoghurt, then scatter with the crunchy topping. Chill in the fridge before serving.
Sam really enjoyed this dessert, his only quibble was that if I made it again could I put some jam in it. Random!
oh and this would be dead easy adapted for my grandson, and easy for kids to help with….I have access to lots of apples the now, will give this one a try on Monday with the kids I think
cool
I have been trying to find this recipe for years, my step dad used to make it but won’t give me the recipe, so i am really really pleased to have found this. it was the cornflake topping that i was struggling with. he always made the middle layer with cream or cream and custard mixed. can’t wait to make it myself now! Thank you
I’m really chuffed to hear that i’ve helped you out… it’s one of those old classics isn’t it! Hope you enjoy it 🙂
We used to have a pudding at school called apricot crackle, with this cornflake topping and apricots (no surprise there!). Really delicious even, with tinned apricots.
Ooooh yum!!!! The old school puddings are the best!
Does it freeze with the cornflake topping please?
Hi Angy. I would only freeze the apple bit of this recipe – don’t think the rest would freeze very well!
Thank you so much for the memory! This was a staple of my childhood but I’d always niaively assumed it was an invention of my mum’s. A friend described it on Facebook, which got me googling and ending up here. Seeing you mention it was from a Good Housekeeping recipe books makes perfect sense.
I don’t recall anything in between the Apple layer and the Cornflake topping – maybe my Mum’s innovation was just to miss out the middle layer entirely to keep the budget down. And I’m pretty sure we’d have poured a little Evaporated Milk on ours.
Ah that’s so nice to hear!
Me too! I used to eat this at school in the 70’s. I loved it. Thanks for sharing.
Ah nostalgia!