Just because you may be coeliac or gluten intolerant does not mean that your choices for gluten-free desserts should have to be limited. With a little clever planning and creativity you won't have to miss out!

In Northern Ireland, the County of Armagh is famous for growing delicious apples and these are perfect for making apple crumble. There is something so comforting about this dessert. It just makes you remember wonderful family times around the kitchen table, the smell of apples, cinnamon and an amazing buttery shortbread like crumble on the top! Of course, this is the part where most people who are gluten intolerant feel like they have to be careful. However, here is a recipe for gluten-free apple crumble which the whole family can enjoy and we are delighted to share it with you!

The best thing about making gluten-free apple crumble is that you hardly need any ingredients to make it. It is such an easy bake! But when you bring an apple crumble out of the oven and pair it simply with some fresh cream, ice cream or custard (or a combination of all three!) everyone is beyond impressed and excited to tuck in!

Apple base:

• 6 Bramley apples peeled and cut into even sized chunks

• 4tbsp demerara sugar

• 2 tsp ground cinnamon

• Pinch of nutmeg (optional)

Crumble topping:

• 115g unsalted butter

• 115g caster sugar

• 230g plain gluten free flour (I use Doves Farm)

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 200ºC/400ºF/gas 6

2. Place apples and sugar in a saucepan on medium heat.

3. Cook for approximately 5 minutes or until the apples have softened. Remove from the heat and leave to cool a little.

4. Make the crumble by rubbing the butter into the flour with your fingertips until it resembles breadcrumbs, then add the sugar and mix.

5. Transfer the cooked apples to a 25cm x 30cm baking dish and sprinkle over the crumble topping.

6. Bake in the oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden and bubbling.

Tips:

If you wanted to make this recipe dairy free you could simply swap the butter for Stork baking block - then it would also be suitable for vegan!

When making the gluten free crumble topping it's nice to have a variation of some bigger crunchy lumps of the buttery crumble alongside the more breadcrumb like texture. This is of course a personal preference. You do you!