There’s something about Anzac Day that invites us to slow down, gather with loved ones, and reflect. And what better way to do that than over a warm, home-baked dessert that combines tradition with a modern touch?
For local dietitian, food photographer, and stylist Mandy, better known as Made By Mandy, Anzac Day is a perfect excuse to head into the kitchen and whip up something nourishing, comforting, and crowd-pleasing. Mandy’s approach to food is rooted in connection and joy. As a passionate advocate for food freedom and the power of shared meals, she’s all about recipes that bring people together without the pressure of perfection.
This Anzac Apple Crumble is no exception. Inspired by the classic flavours of the iconic Anzac biscuit, this dessert pairs caramelised apples with a golden, oat-and-coconut topping, ticking all the boxes for texture, taste, and that irresistible nostalgia.
Mandy sources all her ingredients locally, making a pitstop at her favourite Jetty Rd spots for pantry staples, fresh produce from The Source Glenelg [in Bayside Village] and a scoop [or two] of creamy gelato from Bottega Gelateria to top it all off.
Ready to bake? Here’s Mandy’s recipe - straight from her kitchen to yours.
Made By Mandy’s Anzac Apple Crumble
Serves 6-8
Ingredients
For the Apples:
- 6 Granny Smith or Golden Delicious apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
- 1 tsp mixed spice
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp water
For the ANZAC Crumble
- 120g butter
- 80-90g plain flour
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 125g rolled oats
- 60g desiccated coconut
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tbsp maple or golden syrup
- 1⁄2 tsp bicarb soda
- 2 tbsp boiling water
- 70g macadamias, roughly chopped
- Pinch of salt
For the Butterscotch Sauce:
- 150g unsalted butter, cubed
- 250ml thickened cream
- 250g brown sugar
To Serve:
Vanilla ice cream
Method
1. Preheat oven to 170°C and grease your preferred baking dish or oven-proof skillet. Place the sliced apples in a microwave-safe bowl along with the mixed spice, brown sugar, butter and water. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave for 3 minutes, or until tender.
2. For the crumble, melt the butter in a small microwave-safe bowl, then whisk in the maple (or golden) syrup. Set aside. In a mixing bowl, combine the flour,oats, coconut, macadamias, cinnamon and salt. Pour the butter mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until well combined. Sprinkle the crumble mixture over the apples and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
Mandy recommends serving this straight from the oven with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of that rich butterscotch sauce. The combination of warm apples, crunchy golden crumble, and creamy sweetness is the perfect way to mark Anzac Day.
Whether you're cooking for family, sharing with friends, or just treating yourself, this Jetty Rd-inspired dessert is comfort food at its best, and you can find all the ingredients right on the local strip at Jetty Rd, Glenelg.
Anzac Day may come once a year, but this recipe is one you’ll want to revisit again and again.
