Apple and Blackberry Crumble

Apple and Blackberry Crumble is a delicious dessert that combines the sweet and tart flavors of apples and blackberries with a crumbly, buttery topping. It is a popular dessert that originated in British cuisine and has become a favorite worldwide. The warm and comforting nature of this dessert makes it perfect for cozy gatherings or as a comforting treat on a chilly day.

If you’re a fan of Mary Berry recipes you can also try our sweet Blackberry and Apple Crumble Tart which can be easily turned into a crumble by skipping preparing the pastry base or Mary Berry’s Apple Crumble!

What is the Apple and Blackberry Crumble?

Apple and Blackberry Crumble is a classic dessert made with layers of sliced apples and juicy blackberries, topped with a mixture of flour, butter, and sugar. The fruit is typically lightly sweetened and spiced with cinnamon, while the crumble topping adds a delightful crunch. The dish is baked in the oven until the fruit is tender and the topping turns golden brown. It is often served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to complement the warm fruit flavors.

Why you’ll love it

• Irresistible flavours: The combination of sweet apples and tangy blackberries creates a perfect balance of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds.
• Comforting and warming: The warm fruit filling and the buttery crumble topping make this dessert incredibly comforting and satisfying, especially during colder months.
• Versatile and adaptable: You can easily customize this recipe by adding other fruits, such as raspberries or peaches, or by incorporating different spices and extracts to suit your preferences.
• Easy to make: Apple and Blackberry Crumble is a straightforward dessert that doesn’t require any complicated techniques or ingredients, making it accessible for both beginner and experienced bakers.
• Crowd-pleaser: Whether it’s a family gathering, potluck, or dinner party, this dessert is sure to impress everyone with its rustic charm and delightful taste.

Enjoy the deliciousness of Apple and Blackberry Crumble with the refreshing zest of lemon and the wholesome goodness of rolled oats!

Ingredients for Apple and Blackberry Crumble

For the filling:

• Apples – 3-4 apples (about 1kg/2.2lb), peeled, cored, and cut into small chunks
• Granulated sugar – 1/4 cup (50g/1 ¾oz) caster sugar
• Blackberries – 1 cup (150g/ 5 1/4oz) frozen blackberries
• Butter – 50g (1 ¾oz) unsalted butter at room temperature
• Lemon – zest and juice of 1 lemon juice
• Cinnamon – 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

For the crumble topping:

• All-purpose flour 1 ½ cups (200g/7oz) plain flour
• Butter – 1 stick (125g/4 ½oz_ unsalted butter at room temperature
• Rolled oats – ½ cup (50g/1 ¾oz) rolled oats
• Demerara sugar – 2/3 cup (125g/4 ½oz) demerara sugar
• Cinnamon – ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• Nutmeg – ½ tsp ground nutmeg

How to make and Apple and Blackberry Crumble

1. Preheat the oven to 200C/180C Fan

For the filling:

1. Melt the sugar in a large frying pan over medium heat until it turns a golden colour.
2. Combine the apples with the sugar for a few minutes
3. Add the lemon zest and cinnamon stirring everything together.
4. Add the butter and continue to stir for a few more minutes.
5. Cover the pan with the lid and simmer without stirring, for 5 minutes until the apples have softened but retained their shape.
6. Stir in the blackberries and continue to simmer for another 5-10 minutes until all the fruit is tender.
7. Set aside to cool.

For the crumble topping:

1. Rub and squeeze gently together the flour and butter in a large bowl using your fingertips. You don’t need to rub until you get fine breadcrumbs so that you achieve a courser texture.
2. Add the sugar and oats making sure you mix everything well together.
3. Mix the cinnamon and nutmeg.
4. Set aside until needed.

For assembling the apple and blackberry crumble:

1. Transfer the cooked hot apples to a casserole
2. Spoon the blackberries evenly across the apples and completely
3. Cover evenly the fruit with the crumble mix.
4. Bake the tart at 200C/180C Fan for 30 minutes, or until the crumble turns crisp and golden brown.
5. Allow it to stand for a few minutes.
6. Serve the crumble warm in slices, with custard or cream on the side.

Tips & Variations:

1. Using fresh lemon zest and juice: Adding lemon zest and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to the fruit filling brings a bright and tangy flavor that complements the sweetness of the apples and blackberries.
2. Adjust sweetness: Taste your fruit mixture before adding sugar and adjust the amount based on the natural sweetness of the fruits. You can also substitute some or all of the sugar with a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup.
3. Combination of oats and flour in the topping: For added texture and nuttiness, we mix rolled oats with the flour in the crumble topping. This will give your crumble a wholesome and satisfying bite.
4. Adding spices: We enhance the flavour profile by adding spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger to the fruit mixture. These warm spices will beautifully complement the fruit flavours.
5. Mixed Berry Crumble: Instead of using only blackberries, try using a mix of different berries like raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries. This variation adds a burst of vibrant colours and a medley of berry flavours to the crumble.
6. Gluten-Free Crumble: Substitute the all-purpose flour in the topping with a gluten-free flour blend or almond flour for a gluten-free version of this dessert. Ensure that the oats you use are certified gluten-free as well.
7. Nutty Crumble: Add chopped nuts like almonds, walnuts, or pecans to the crumble topping for an extra layer of crunch and nuttiness. Sprinkle them on top before baking for a delightful texture.
8. Coconut Twist: Mix shredded coconut into the crumble topping for a tropical twist. The coconut adds a subtle sweetness and a hint of exotic flavor to the dessert.

This base crumble recipe is delicious, but I encourage you to experiment and adapt these tips and variations to your taste preferences and dietary needs. Feel free to as any questions in the comments!

How to serve the Apple and Blackberry Crumble Cake

• Serve warm: Apple and Blackberry Crumble is best enjoyed when served warm, straight out of the oven. The contrast between the warm fruit filling and the ice cream or whipped cream enhances the overall experience.
• Add a scoop of ice cream: A generous scoop of vanilla ice cream on top of the crumble adds a creamy element and creates a delightful contrast of temperatures and textures.
• Experiment with toppings: Consider sprinkling some chopped nuts, such as almonds or pecans, on top of the crumble for an added crunch and nutty flavour.
• Mini crumbles: Instead of baking the crumble in a large dish, divide the fruit mixture and crumble topping into individual ramekins or oven-safe mugs for personalized servings. This makes for an adorable presentation and is great for portion control.
• Garnish with fresh mint: A few fresh mint leaves can provide a refreshing touch and add a pop of colour to the dessert.
• Pair with a hot beverage: Enjoy this comforting dessert with a cup of hot coffee, tea, bubble tea, or even a mug of spiced cider to enhance the cosy flavours.

Apple and Blackberry Crumble

Caroline Sciberras

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine British

Servings 6

Calories 565.47 kcal

Ingredients

  

For the filling:

• 3-4 apples about 1kg/2.2lb, peeled, cored, and cut into small chunks
• 1/4 cup/50g/1 ¾oz caster sugar
• 1 cup/150g/ 5 1/4oz frozen blackberries
• 50 g/1 ¾oz unsalted butter at room temperature
• zest and juice of 1 lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

For the crumble topping:

• All-purpose flour 1 ½ cups/200g/7oz plain flour
• Butter - 1 stick/125g/4 ½oz unsalted butter at room temperature
• Rolled oats - ½ cup/50g/1 ¾oz rolled oats
• Demerara sugar - 2/3 cup/125g/4 ½oz demerara sugar
• Cinnamon - ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• Nutmeg - ½ tsp ground nutmeg

Instructions

 

For the filling:

• Melt the sugar in a large frying pan over medium heat until it turns a golden color.
• Combine the apples with the sugar for a few minutes
• Add the lemon zest and cinnamon stirring everything together.
• Add the butter and continue to stir for a few more minutes.
• Cover the pan with the lid and simmer without stirring, for 5 minutes until the apples have softened but retained their shape.
• Stir in the blackberries and continue to simmer for another 5-10 minutes until all the fruit is tender.
• Set aside to cool.

For the crumble topping:

• Rub and squeeze gently together the flour and butter in a large bowl using your fingertips. You don't need to rub until you get fine breadcrumbs so that we achieve a courser texture.
• Add the sugar and oats making sure you mix everything well together.
• Mix the cinnamon and nutmeg.
• Set aside until needed.

For assembling the apple and blackberry crumble:

• Preheat the oven to 200C/180C Fan
• Transfer the cooked hot apples in a casserole
• Spoon the blackberries evenly across the apples and completely
• Cover evenly the fruit with the crumble mix.
• Bake the tart at 200C/180C Fan for 30 minutes, or until the crumble turns crisp and golden-brown.
• Allow it to stand for a few minutes.
• Serve the crumble warm in slices, with custard or cream on the side.

Notes

1. Using fresh lemon zest and juice: Adding lemon zest and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to the fruit filling brings a bright and tangy flavor that complements the sweetness of the apples and blackberries.
2. Adjust sweetness: Taste your fruit mixture before adding sugar and adjust the amount based on the natural sweetness of the fruits. You can also substitute some or all of the sugar with a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup.
3. Combination of oats and flour in the topping: For added texture and nuttiness, we mix rolled oats with the flour in the crumble topping. This will give your crumble a wholesome and satisfying bite.
4. Adding spices: We enhance the flavor profile by adding spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger into the fruit mixture. These warm spices will beautifully complement the fruit flavors.
5. Mixed Berry Crumble: Instead of using only blackberries, try using a mix of different berries like raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries. This variation adds a burst of vibrant colors and a medley of berry flavors to the crumble.
6. Gluten-Free Crumble: Substitute the all-purpose flour in the topping with a gluten-free flour blend or almond flour for a gluten-free version of this dessert. Ensure that the oats you use are certified gluten-free as well.
7. Nutty Crumble: Add chopped nuts like almonds, walnuts, or pecans to the crumble topping for an extra layer of crunch and nuttiness. Sprinkle them on top before baking for a delightful texture.
8. Coconut Twist: Mix shredded coconut into the crumble topping for a tropical twist. The coconut adds a subtle sweetness and a hint of exotic flavor to the dessert.

Keyword apples, blackberries, butter, crumble, flour, oats, sugar