Are you ready to crumble? This delicious berry crumble is one to put on top of your must-try list, especially if it is paired with delicious mascarpone cream.
Crumble the classic dessert of British cuisine, is the embodiment of a simple pie in appearance, but amazing in texture and aroma. British cuisine is the best food for the soul, those “comfort foods” that have nothing in common with sophisticated restaurant menus, but which stuck in memory by their incredible taste and flavor.
It is prepared very quickly and simply, so simple that you can involve your kids in its preparation, as an interesting activity on holiday. I have read somewhere that “crumble dough is the first thing British children learn to do in the kitchen”. The mixture of flour, butter, and sugar in perfect proportions is a good alternative occupational therapy and is really a child’s recreation and discovery.
What is a “crumble”?
What is a “crumble”?Crumble is a dessert originated in Britain during World War II, as an alternative to the traditional pie. During this horrible War, due to the lack of ingredients, the British spoiled themselves with what they could only find. Because they had neither money nor ingredients for meals, they had to invent modest foods, that as a result did not disappoint. That’s how crumble was born.
Today crumble became popular all over the world especially for its versatile and easy method of preparation. Generally speaking, crumble represents a mixture of fruits that are topped with a crunchy dough made from butter, flour, and sugar. Everything is cooked until topping becomes crunchy and the fruits are well cooked. Crumble is considered one of the desserts that make you feel better whenever you need a quick treat. It could serve as a gorgeous end of meal treat or lazy breakfast at the weekend. The way it comes out hot from the oven, the incredible smell and the mix of soft fruits with the crunchy texture from the top makes it a real joy for sweet lovers.
How to make crumble?
Backing crumble is so easy that you basically do not need a recipe. Actually, if you are used to baking, you will need to prepare it only once by the recipe. For ulterior preparation, you will need no more sources to follow and get inspired.
There are three main steps you need to follow for making a crunchy fruit crumble:
- Selecting and preparing the fruit – you can vary with any fruit or combination of fruit from any season. Classic crumbles usually come with plums, apples, pears, rhubarb, berries or combination between them. Everything depends on taste and preferences.
- Making the crispy topping – topping could be also changed and adapted to your taste. For example, if you are on a gluten-free diet you can substitute regular flour with gluten-free flour (for example almond flour). Also, any kind of nuts or seed could be added for crispiness. Almonds, macadamia or pecan could be a great choice. I do not like to use just all-purpose flour in crumbles, so I use to combine it with almond flour or oatmeal flakes.
- Baking and serving the crumble – crumbles are baked in the oven at the same temperature as all fruit pies – 375°F (190°C). Every time when I make it, in my mind comes up the main question – to serve with ice cream or custard. And the winner in most cases is – ice cream!
How to make berry mix crumble?
As a general rule, the crumble equation is as follows: a layer of chopped fruits plus a crisp layer of butter mixed with flour and sugar. And if you enjoy it with a cup of ice cream, you can consider that you got to heaven. But today I would like to deviate from the classic version of crumble and prepare it in its healthier way. Also, because I was waiting for the friends for dinner and to make the process faster for this ultimate crumble recipe, I opt for frozen berries. Spoon a pack of frozen berries mix, about 18 oz (500gr), in an 11 inches pie baking dish. Add 1 tbsp of sugar and mix gently.
Then in a mixing bowl combine all dry ingredients: 3/4 cup of flour, 1 cup of large flake oats, ½ cup of chopped almonds and 3 tsp of sugar. Sprinkle 1 tsp of vanilla essence and mix well. Next cut in medium size cubes 4 oz of unsalted butter. Rub the butter into the dry ingredients. Try to work fast until will obtain breadcrumb texture and all ingredients are incorporated.
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). In the meanwhile, sprinkle evenly crumble mixture over the berry mix. Bake for 30 minutes or until it is nicely browned on top.
After the elapsed time remove from the heat and leave for 5-7 mins to rest. Today I didn’t find in my fridge ice-cream or any ingredients for custard. But hopefully, I had some mascarpone cheese, that blended with a little sugar combined perfectly with my sweet and sour berry crumble.
Just do it and you won’t regret!
What is the difference between crumble and cobbler?
Many of us think that crumble and cobbler are the same things. Actually there is a difference. Both of these pies represent fresh fruit topped with some kind of pastry. For cobbler, we use biscuit topping or cookie dough. While toping for crumble usually is made of flour, oats, butter, and sugar. The only thing I can say that both deserts are so great, easy to prepare and versatile.
Tips:
- You can adapt this recipe to your preference with any type of fruits, nuts or berries.
- You can make it a smaller pies dish, as an individual pie dish. They look pretty and you can vary the filling, according to your guest preference.
- You can serve crumble hot or cold with your favorite cream.
- Store crumble in the fridge in a hermetic container for up to 4 days.
- I hope you like this recipe and will prepare it with pleasure. I wish you a delish day and a good appetite!
The ultimate berry mix crumble
Equipment
- pie baking dish
- Bowl
Ingredients
For the crumble
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup large flake oats
- ½ cup chopped almonds
- 3 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 4 oz unsalted butter
For the filling
- 18 oz frozen berries mix
- 1 tbsp sugar
Instructions
- Spoon a pack of frozen berries mix, about 18 oz (500gr), in an 11 inches pie baking dish. Add 1 tbsp of sugar and mix gently.
- Then in a mixing bowl combine all dry ingredients: 3/4 cup of flour, 1 cup of large flake oats, ½ cup of chopped almonds and 3 tsp of sugar. Sprinkle 1 tsp of vanilla essence and mix well. Next cut in medium size cubes 4 oz of unsalted butter. Rub the butter into the dry ingredients.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In the meanwhile, sprinkle evenly crumble mixture over the berry mix. Bake for 30 minutes or until it is nicely browned on top.
- After the elapsed time remove from the heat and leave for 5-7 mins to rest. Serve with ice cream or custard!
