This time of year the farmer’s markets, fruit stands, and grocery stores are loaded with beautiful local fruit such as blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries. Fresh local peaches will also be arriving in the next few months. I know most of us are really busy, and with the nice weather, have yard work to take up even more of our limited time. It would be a shame not to take advantage of this beautiful seasonal fruit, so that’s why it’s a good idea to keep a few good recipes that can be put together in just a few minutes of hands-on time.

The following recipe for 4 Ingredient Fresh Fruit Bake, which takes about 15 minutes to put together, was recently given to me by my friend Jeanne, who said that it was her family’s favorite fruit dessert while she was growing up. When I noticed that one of the ingredients was whole wheat flour, I was skeptical, since my family won’t usually eat foods that they consider coarse and grainy. When I tried it, however, this fruit bake was devoured almost immediately, and no one even guessed that there were some major health benefits in this dessert! The whole wheat flour actually adds a nutty flavor and extra crunch.

Don’t get me wrong; I’m not touting this dessert as health food! It does however supply 6 grams of needed fiber, and several other important vitamins and minerals due to the whole wheat and fruit. It is also very quick to put together and so good, you’ll have a hard time sticking to one serving.

Just a note on the whole wheat, which, incidentally, has become known as one of the trendy new super foods: For years it’s been known that whole wheat flour supplies fiber, which helps prevent digestive health maladies such as colon cancer. However, according to the Wheat Foods Council, which promotes whole grains, “ recent studies have shown that eating more whole grains may help reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer and diabetes. New studies published in 2005 and 2006 show that whole grains may lower triglycerides, improve insulin control, help with weight management, and slow the buildup of arterial plaque.” Whole grains such as whole wheat are also loaded with antioxidants.

As soon as you can get your hands on some of the local fruit in your area, do try this quick and easy dessert; you’ll be pleasantly surprised!

6 Servings

1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup whole wheat flour

4 to 5 cups blackberries, raspberries, peaches, or a mixture

ice cream, or whipped cream

1. Set the oven to 350°


2. Place the butter in a 2 quart glass baking dish and put it in the preheating oven to melt it


3. In a small bowl mix the sugar and whole wheat flour


4. When the butter is melted, sprinkle the sugar/flour mixture over the butter


5. Wash the berries; if using peaches, peel, pit, and slice them


6. Blot the fruit dry on a paper towel


7. Pour the fruit into the baking dish and stir into the flour/sugar/butter mixture just until the fruit is distributed evenly


8. Bake for 55-75 minutes or until the mixture is crisp


9. Serve immediately with ice cream or whipped cream


Amount Per Serving
Calories 395 Calories from Fat 142
Percent Total Calories From: Fat 25% Protein 8% Carb. 36%

Nutrient Amount per Serving
Total Fat 17 g
Saturated Fat 10 g
Cholesterol 44 mg
Sodium 164 mg
Total Carbohydrate 62 g
Dietary Fiber 6 g
Sugars 33 g
Protein 4 g

Vitamin A 15% Vitamin C 34% Calcium 0% Iron 8%