Homemade Blackberry and Apple Crumble Recipe: Sweet Comfort

Crafting a delightful blackberry and apple crumble brings pure comfort to your kitchen adventures.

Sweet memories of autumn dance through this classic dessert.

Ripe fruits nestle beneath a golden, crispy topping that promises pure indulgence.

Seasonal ingredients merge into a warm, inviting treat that feels like a culinary hug.

Local orchards and hedgerows inspire this simple yet magnificent pudding.

Crumbly, buttery layers promise to transport you straight to countryside bliss.

You’ll want to savor every delectable spoonful of this timeless recipe.

What’s Special About Nigella Blackberry And Apple Crumble

• Craft a Quick Comfort Dessert: This recipe transforms simple ingredients into a heartwarming treat that feels like a warm hug on a plate, perfect for satisfying sweet cravings with minimal kitchen effort.
• Seasonal Fruit Celebration: Combines fresh blackberries and apples into a delightful dessert that captures the essence of seasonal produce, making it an ideal way to enjoy local, ripe fruits.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Suitable for family gatherings, potlucks, and casual dinners, this crumble appeals to all ages with its classic flavor combination and irresistible crispy topping.
• Beginner Baker Friendly: Requires simple techniques like chopping fruit and mixing ingredients, making it an excellent recipe for those new to baking or wanting a stress-free dessert option.

Everything You Need For Nigella Blackberry And Apple Crumble

• Apples: Crisp and slightly tart fruit that provides a classic base for the crumble.
• Blackberries: Sweet and juicy berries that add rich color and intense fruity flavor.

• Sugar, Brown Sugar: Sweetens the fruit and creates a caramelized topping.
• Water: Helps soften and cook the fruits gently.
• Ground Spice: Adds warm, complementary flavor to the fruit mixture.

• Flour, Butter, Sugar: Essential components that create the classic crumbly and golden topping.
• Confectioners Sugar: Light dusting that adds a sweet finishing touch to the dessert.

How To Make Nigella Blackberry And Apple Crumble

Step 1: Prepare Frozen Butter

Carefully place butter in the freezer for a minimum of 3 hours. Once thoroughly chilled, dice the butter into small, uniform pieces using a sharp knife.

Step 2: Prepare Fruity Base

Wash and peel the apples. Remove the core and chop them into neat 1/2-inch cubes. Select a medium-sized pan for cooking.

Step 3: Cook Apple Mixture

• Butter
• Water
• Apples
• Sugar
• Spices

Gently cook the mixture, stirring occasionally until the apples start to soften and become tender.

Step 4: Incorporate Blackberries

Fold in the fresh blackberries into the apple mixture. Continue cooking for approximately 20-25 minutes. Remove the pan from heat and let the fruit mixture rest.

Step 5: Create Crumble Topping

• Flour
• Sugar

Add the cold, diced butter. Use your fingertips to rub the ingredients together until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.

Step 6: Assemble The Dessert

Transfer the warm fruit mixture into a baking dish. Spread the crumble topping evenly across the surface, ensuring complete coverage.

Step 7: Bake To Perfection

Sprinkle brown sugar over the crumble topping. Place the baking dish in a preheated oven at 350°F. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the top turns golden brown and crispy.

Step 8: Serve And Enjoy

Dust the crumble with confectioners sugar. Serve warm for the most delightful experience.

Tips That Work For Nigella Blackberry And Apple Crumble

• Chill Butter Perfectly: Freeze butter for at least 3 hours to ensure a crisp, flaky crumble topping with maximum texture.
• Master Apple Preparation: Cut apples into uniform 1/2-inch cubes for even cooking and consistent softness throughout the dessert.
• Balance Fruit Cooking: Simmer apples and blackberries just until softened, preventing mushy texture and maintaining fruit integrity.
• Create Crumble Texture: Gently rub cold butter into flour mixture using fingertips, creating delicate breadcrumb-like consistency for ideal crunch.
• Serve Temperature Matters: Dust with confectioners sugar right before serving and enjoy warm to maximize flavor and create delightful dessert experience.

Fun Twists On Nigella Blackberry And Apple Crumble

• Berry and Pear Swap: Replace blackberries and apples with fresh pears and raspberries for a softer, sweeter flavor profile.
• Gluten-Free Version: Use almond flour or gluten-free flour blend instead of regular flour for the crumble topping, perfect for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Vegan Adaptation: Substitute butter with coconut oil, use coconut sugar, and add rolled oats to the crumble for extra texture and plant-based nutrition.
• Low-Sugar Option: Replace sugar with stevia or monk fruit sweetener, and add cinnamon and nutmeg to enhance natural fruit sweetness without extra calories.

Pairing Tips For Nigella Blackberry And Apple Crumble

• Pair Creamy Vanilla Ice Cream: The rich, smooth vanilla complements the warm, tangy fruit crumble perfectly.
• Sip Spiced Chai Latte: The warm, aromatic spices in chai beautifully echo the dessert's cinnamon and fruit notes.
• Match Caramel Cream Liqueur: Drizzle this sweet, velvety liqueur for an indulgent adult dessert experience.
• Serve Fresh Whipped Cream: Light, airy cream balances the crumble's dense texture and cuts through its sweetness.

How To Keep Nigella Blackberry And Apple Crumble Fresh

• Store covered in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Keep the crumble away from strong-smelling foods to preserve its delicate flavor.
• Transfer cooled crumble to a freezer-safe dish, wrap tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Label with date for easy tracking.
• Thaw overnight in refrigerator. Warm at 160C (325F) for 15-20 minutes until heated through. Cover with foil to prevent excessive browning.
• Heat individual portions for 30-45 seconds on medium power. Add a small splash of water to prevent drying out and maintain crumble's texture.

Your Questions On Nigella Blackberry And Apple Crumble

• What are the key fruits in this crumble?

The key fruits are blackberries and apples, which create a delicious sweet and slightly tart flavor combination.

• Can I use frozen fruits instead of fresh?

Yes, you can use frozen blackberries and apples, but make sure to thaw and drain them before cooking to prevent excess liquid.

• Why do I need to freeze the butter before making the crumble topping?

Freezing butter helps create a flaky, crumbly texture in the topping by keeping the butter cold and allowing it to form small, distinct pieces when rubbed into the flour.

• Is this dessert suitable for vegetarians?

Yes, this blackberry and apple crumble is completely vegetarian and can be easily adapted to be vegan by using plant-based butter alternatives.

Blackberry And Apple Crumble Recipe

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4.7 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: Approximately 4 hours and 6 to 11 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Rustic “Blackberry and Apple Crumble” emerges as a quintessential British dessert, blending sweet-tart fruits beneath a golden, buttery streusel topping. Baked until bubbling and aromatic, this comforting pudding invites you to savor autumn’s most delightful seasonal embrace.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Fruits:

• 3 large Bramley apples
• 12 ounces (340 grams) blackberries

Crumble Base:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) all-purpose flour
• 4 ounces (113 grams) unsalted butter, diced
• 4 ounces (113 grams) superfine sugar
• 1 pinch cinnamon or cloves (optional)

Additional Ingredients:

• 5 ounces (142 grams) superfine sugar
• 2 fluid ounces (60 milliliters) water
• 112 ounces (3,175 grams) butter
• Brown sugar (for sprinkling)
• Confectioners sugar (to dust)

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Instructions

1. Thoroughly chill butter in freezer for minimum 3 hours, then precisely dice into small cubes.
2. Carefully peel and core apples, chopping into uniform 12-inch cubes to ensure consistent cooking.
3. Create fruit base by gently melting butter with water in a pan, then incorporate apples, sugar, and spice. Simmer until apples soften and develop tender texture.
4. Gently fold blackberries into warm apple mixture, cooking for approximately 23 minutes. Remove from heat and allow flavors to meld.
5. Prepare crumble topping by combining flour and sugar in mixing bowl. Integrate cold butter cubes, using fingertips to rub ingredients until achieving delicate breadcrumb-like consistency.
6. Transfer fruit mixture into baking dish, spreading evenly to create uniform layer.
7. Generously distribute crumble topping across fruit, ensuring complete coverage. Sprinkle additional brown sugar on surface for caramelized finish.
8. Bake in preheated oven at 180C (350F) for 25-30 minutes, watching for golden-brown coloration and bubbling edges.
9. Allow dessert to cool slightly, then dust with confectioners sugar. Serve warm for optimal flavor and texture.

Notes

• Chill butter thoroughly to ensure a flaky, crumbly topping with perfect texture.
• Cut apples uniformly to guarantee even cooking and consistent softness throughout the dessert.
• Avoid overcooking fruit mixture to maintain fresh fruit flavor and prevent mushy consistency.
• Gently mix crumble topping to prevent tough, dense results and preserve light, crispy texture.
• Experiment with alternative flours like almond or gluten-free blend for dietary restrictions.
• Add warming spices like cinnamon or nutmeg to enhance deep, complex fruit flavors.
• Serve immediately after baking to enjoy maximum crispness and warmth of the crumble topping.
• Consider adding chopped nuts like almonds or pecans for extra crunch and nutty undertones.

• Prep Time: At least 3 hours
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: British

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 1349 kcal
• Sugar: 70 g
• Sodium: 3 mg
• Fat: 101 g
• Saturated Fat: 62 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 39 g
• Trans Fat: 1.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 105 g
• Fiber: 7 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 252 mg