The first crumble I ever made had apples and blackberries in it. The red juices bubbled to the surface, slightly charred at the edges of the glass dish. A deep dish of deliciousness to sink a large serving spoon into. The first scoop heap of hot, cinnamon-coated apple pulled through the butter crumble crust. Ribbons of juice oozing out gently. Steam rising right into your face. There’s nothing that screams winter quite like a crumble.
It’s not fancy by any means; there’s the crumble itself, a simple recipe made up of only three things — butter, flour and sugar, life’s essential ingredients. Then, there’s the apples mixed with more sugar and, for a seasonal kick, cinnamon and a dash of nutmeg. Spoon everything together and forty minutes later, voilá, a masterpiece that can be eaten on its own, with ice cream or custard. It’s enjoyable in all forms.
Crumbles are often made when the weather turns and the leaves fall. During apple-picking season and the months that follow it. It’s to be enjoyed in single portions in front of the fire at home, or together, standing over the kitchen counter with a spoon each diving straight into the dish just fresh out of the oven.
apple crumble
Ingredients
300g plain flour, sieved
A pinch of salt
175g brown sugar
200g unsalted butter at room temperature, cubed, plus a little for greasing
450g peeled, cored and cut into small chunks
50g brown s
ugar
1 tbsp plain flour
1 pinch ground cinnamon
Method
Preheat the oven to 180C/160C Fan/Gas 4.
Place the flour, salt and sugar in a large bowl and mix well. Taking a few cubes of butter at a time rub into the flour mixture. Keep rubbing until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs and all the butter is incorporated.
Place the fruit in a large bowl and sprinkle over the sugar, flour and cinnamon. Stir well, being careful not to break up the fruit.
Butter a 24cm/9in ovenproof dish. Spoon the fruit mixture into the bottom, then sprinkle the crumble mixture on top.
Bake for 40–45 minutes until the crumble is browned and the fruit mixture bubbling.
Serve with thick cream or custard.
Love unfancy dishes 😋👌