Almond-semolina-apple-oat slice

You know those times when you imagine a product, and you want it desperately, but you don't have a recipe? You're not even sure if there is a recipe, or if it is something you've had before, or if you have simply dreamed it up in your imagination?

And you know those times when you try to make said product, following a whim, and it doesn't work? Awful. Devastating even.

But then, there are those other times. The times you turn your imagined product into reality. The times your edible dream actually becomes edible, and dream-worthy, and it is as if the stars have aligned in your kitchen just for you.

Those times are magic.

To me, these apple slices were that magic.

I know they might not look like much. I think "rustic" could be applied to their description. In taste, though, they hit all of my hopes and possibly even exceeded them. There is marzipan-esque almond from the almond meal and almond essence. There is a delightful contrast of chewy and crumbly from the semolina and oats. And there are the apples, soft and sweet and set against raisins. (Those of you who don't like raisins? I'll allow you to leave them out.)

In all, I loved these. They reminded me of the sort of baking my Mum did when I was a child, and they felt like the edible equivalent of reading indoors while it's raining, wrapped in a rug and drinking tea.

 I hope you enjoy them too!

Almond-semolina-apple-oat slice

Vegan

Makes approximately 8 slices

Print recipe

Ingredients

For the base-

1/2 cup rolled oats

1/2 cup almond meal

1/2 cup semolina

1 tbsp chia seeds soaked in 1/4 cup non-dairy milk (I used sweetened almond and soaked the chia seeds for 15 minutes)

2 tbsp coconut oil, in liquid form

1 tbsp agave (or maple syrup)

1 tsp vanilla essence

1 tsp almond essence

For the filling-

1 large apple, peeled and roughly chopped

1/2 cup apple sauce

1/2 cup raisins

1/4 cup almond meal

For the topping-

1/2 cup rolled oats

1 tbsp coconut oil, in liquid form

2 tbsp agave (or maple syrup)

Method

Preheat your oven to 180'C and line a square baking dish with non-stick baking paper.

Combine all base ingredients in a mixing bowl and mix thoroughly to combine. Press into the bottom of your baking dish.

In a mixing bowl, combine all filling ingredients and stir to combine. Add to your baking dish on top of the base layer, spreading evenly with a spoon or spatula. 

In a mixing bowl (keep using the same one!), combine the topping ingredients and stir to combine. Distribute over the apple layer.

Bake for 30 minutes or until golden, and allow to cool in the pan before slicing.

Left to right: Base layer; apple layer; top layer before cooking; final baked result.

As a bonus? I made this with just one mixing bowl, and you don't even need to beat or process any ingredients.

Submitted to Healthy Vegan Fridays.

What was the last thing you made on a recipe-free whim, or from imagination?

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