Fruit and Grains Crisp Dessert

One thing we all should remember is that healthy eating is a gift, not a punishment. If you don't enjoy eating healthfully, you'll never stick to it. Try this delicious yet healthy dessert to see that even treats can fit into your cancer-fighting diet.

Preparation time: 20 minutes. Cook time: 40 minutes.

Serves six as a dessert.

Ingredients

Filling

• 2 large apples, peeled and diced 
• 4 cups mixed frozen berries; try ½ to 1 cup each of frozen blueberries, frozen blackberries, frozen dark-red cherries, or frozen strawberries (any single type of berry or combination of berries works fine)
• ¼ cup maple syrup (substitute 1/3 cup brown sugar if maple syrup is not available)
• 1 to 2 tablespoons any juice
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg 
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Topping

• 1 cup whole oats
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 3 egg whites
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ cup brown sugar

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350ºF.
• Mix apples and frozen berries together in a large bowl; if necessary, chop larger frozen berries (strawberries and dark cherries) in half for easier mixing.
• Add remainder of filling ingredients to fruit and mix well; set aside.
• In separate bowl, combine topping ingredients; mix well with back of wooden spoon or finger tips.
• Place fruit mixture into 9x12-inch (approximate) glass baking dish.
• Press topping mixture lightly over top of fruit.
• Cover with foil and bake in 350ºF oven for 20 minutes.
• Remove foil and continue to bake at 350ºF for another 15-20 minutes, until top lightly browns.
• Remove and let cool slightly.
• Serve warm with small scoop of vanilla frozen yogurt.

Per serving*: 245 calories; 44 grams of carbohydrates; 7 grams of protein; 4.5  grams of fat; 4 grams of fiber.

*Not including frozen yogurt.

If you are having trouble eating well because of cancer or its treatment, please see our information Recipes for High-Calorie Eating. If you are having trouble eating well or have questions about your specific nutrition needs, please discuss this with your health care team.