classic apple & blackberry crumble

Classic apple & blackberry crumble, a simple dessert with a layer of soft fruit, topped with sweet crumble and the perfect pudding when served with a side of custard.

Our classic apple and blackberry crumble is comfort food perfection in pudding form. This classic dessert comprises a soft layer of sweet and slightly tart fruits, covered with a sweet crumble topping.

When it comes to desserts that are quick to prepare you can’t beat our easy apple and blackberry crumble. This classic pudding is made with simple ingredients that most of us will have in our store cupboards, fridge and fruit bowl.

I like to forage for blackberries in the hedgerows close to my home, although we call them brambles. Freely available every Autumn these dark and juicy berries are a joy to pick, even if you do have to take care and avoid the thorns!

Why you’ll love this recipe:

• The perfect balance of flavours, the combination of sweet, slightly tart apples with glorious ripe and juicy blackberries. Autumn fruits at their seasonal best!
• Make ahead ready to pop into the oven just before dinner, so it’s ready to enjoy warm, straight from the oven.
• Feed a crowd, this recipe is easily doubled up if you are feeding larger numbers.

What is crumble topping made of?

Our traditional crumble topping is made by rubbing butter through plain flour and caster sugar to form a breadcrumb like consistency. You can also add in rolled oats if you want added crunch and some spices like cinnamon or nutmeg if you prefer. However, we like it served simply as it is, allowing the flavour of the apple and blackberry to really shine through.

Can I use eating apples for crumble?

The joy of any apple crumble is balancing the sweet crumble topping with the sharp, tart apples. I like to use a Granny Smith apple when I’m cooking, which is an eating apple, just one that’s on the sour side. Granny Smiths have the right balance of sour and tart and also hold their shape when cooked.

You can also use a Bramley cooking apple. However, if you are using other cooking apples like Gala or Pink Lady, then I recommend adding in a little lemon juice to counteract the sweetness.

How to make apple & blackberry crumble:

• Look out all the ingredients.
• Prepare the apples by peeling and removing the core. Then cut the apple into quarters or large slices. Don’t cut the apple too small otherwise it will not hold its shape once baked.

• Place the apples and blackberries into an oven-proof dish. Spoon over the caster sugar and mix well to combine then set aside.

• Place the crumble ingredients into a large mixing bowl

• Rub together the flour, butter and sugar until you have a mix the texture of fine breadcrumbs.

• Spoon the crumble mix over the apples and blackberries and place the dish in a hot oven at 200C/180CFan for 40 minutes until the top is golden.

Recipe substitutions and variations:

• Apples add a lovely sharpness to this wonderful baked dessert. I like to use a tart tasting apple to balance out the sweetness of the crumble topping. Granny Smiths are ideal as they are tart, have a great firmness and retain their shape once cooked. You could also use a Bramley cooking apple. If using sweet dessert apples like gala or pink lady then add a squeeze of lemon juice to bring down the sweetness.
• Blackberries pair beautifully with apples, even better if you can forage for them for free in the hedgerows. You could also substitute with raspberries.
• Caster sugar is used to sweeten the fruit layer and the crumble.
• Plain flour forms the base of the crumble topping. For gluten free apple and blackberry crumble, substitute regular plain flour for gluten free plain flour to make a gluten free crumble topping.
• Salted butter is rubbed through the flour and sugar to form the crumble. If you are looking for a dairy-free alternative you can replace the butter with a dairy free spread instead.
• Rolled oats can be added to the crumble mix for added crunch.
• Ground cinnamon can be added to the apples and blackberries if you want a little warm spicing. 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon would be enough.

Alternative fruit crumble flavour combinations:

Fruit crumble is a versatile dish. Here are some other ideas for fruit combinations that work really well with this crumble topping:

• apple with raspberry or strawberry
• pear and raspberry
• rhubarb and ginger
• peach, apricot or nectarine with cinnamon
• plums with cinnamon and nutmeg

How to serve classic apple & blackberry crumble?

When it comes to serving any fruit crumble I really don’t think you can beat custard, its such a classic pudding combination.

However, you could also serve this sweet pudding with double cream, some whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla or dairy ice-cream. I don’t tend to add flavoured ice-cream as it detracts from the flavour of the fruits.

How to make a gluten free apple & blackberry crumble?

It is very simple to adapt this recipe if serving this crumble to Coeliacs or anyone following a gluten free diet. Simply replace the regular flour with a gluten free plain flour alternative. We like to use Doves Farms Gluten Free Flours. You can also add some gluten free rolled oats to the crumble mix for added crunch.

Can I make crumble ahead of time?

• FRIDGE: This simple crumble is a great make ahead dish. Prepare the pudding earlier in the day and pop into the fridge. Then place in the oven when you are ready to enjoy.
• FREEZER: you can freeze crumble either before or after baking it. Just ensure all the ingredients are completely cool then place cover the dish and place in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy I like to defrost overnight in the fridge and bake next day when I’m ready to serve.

Useful hints and tips:

1. Feeding a crowd: double or treble up this recipe to feed a larger group of people.
2. Make extra to freeze: double the recipe and enjoy one crumble now and freeze the second for another day.
3. Leftovers: can either be stored in an airtight container and kept in the fridge for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
4. Dairy free alternative: if serving to anyone with a dairy allergy or vegan diners, replace the butter in the crumble with a suitable dairy free alternative.
5. Allergy advice: egg free, soya free and nut free. For comprehensive and detailed allergy advice go to Allergy UK.

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Additional recipe suggestions:

If you like this recipe then try some of our other great tasting desserts:

• Classic Apple Crumble
• Rhubarb Frangipane Tart
• Rhubarb & Ginger Clafoutis
• Eve’s Pudding
• Baked Nectarines with Hazelnuts & Yogurt
• Rhubarb & Custard Layered Dessert
• Rhubarb & Vanilla Sorbet
• Panettone Bread & Butter Pudding

Classic Apple & Blackberry Crumble

Apple & blackberry crumble is an all time favourite traditional dessert. Sweet and tart apples and blackberries with sweet crumble topping that's heaven when served with warm custard.

5 from 8 votes

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Prep Time: 20 mins

Cook Time: 40 mins

Total Time: 1 hr

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 550kcal

Author: Lesley Garden

Ingredients

• ▢ 600 g Granny Smith apples (approx 5 apples – peeled, cored and quartered)
• ▢ 250 g blackberries
• ▢ 1 tbsp caster sugar

Crumble Topping

• ▢ 200 g plain flour
• ▢ 100 g cold salted butter (cut into cubes)
• ▢ 75 g caster sugar

Instructions

• Prepare the apples by peeling and removing the core. Then cut the apple into quarters or large slices. Don't cut the apple too small otherwise it will not hold its shape once baked.
• Place the apples and blackberries into an oven-proof dish. Spoon over the caster sugar and mix well to combine then set aside.
• Make the crumble topping by first placing the flour, sugar and cold cubes of butter into a large mixing bowl. Rub together gently to form a breadcrumb like consistency.
• Spoon the crumble over the fruit ensuring an even layer. Place in a pre-heated oven at 200C/180CFan and bake for 40 minutes until the top is golden brown.
• Serve with custard, or a scoop of ice cream.

Notes

This is a simple traditional apple & blackberry crumble, however if you wish you can add 1tsp of ground cinnamon to the apple. 

Fruit crumble is a versatile dish. Here are some other ideas for fruit crumbles the all work really well with a crumble topping:

• apple and raspberry or strawberry
• pear and raspberry
• rhubarb and ginger
• peach, apricot or nectarine

Nutrition Facts

Classic Apple & Blackberry Crumble

Amount Per Serving

Calories 550 Calories from Fat 189

% Daily Value*

Fat 21g32%

Saturated Fat 13g81%

Trans Fat 1g

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

Monounsaturated Fat 5g

Cholesterol 54mg18%

Sodium 182mg8%

Potassium 322mg9%

Carbohydrates 87g29%

Fiber 8g33%

Sugar 41g46%

Protein 7g14%

Vitamin A 840IU17%

Vitamin C 20mg24%

Calcium 41mg4%

Iron 3mg17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

• Please note that the nutrition information provided above is approximate and meant as a guideline only •

Course : Dessert, Pudding

Cuisine : British

Keyword : classic apple & blackberry crumble, Easy, easy apple & blackberry crumble, how to make apple & blackberry crumble, Seasonal, Simple

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