Easy Homemade Apple and Blackberry Crumble

This Easy Homemade Apple and Blackberry Crumble is the ultimate Autumn or Fall dessert. It screams all things comfort. This dessert combines a warming, caramelised and fragrant fruit filling with a gorgeously crispy,  crunchy, spiced, crumble topping. It takes minutes to prepare and can be scaled up or down. What's more? This delicious dessert is a real crowd favourite. A recipe that is loved by all! The perfect pudding for a cold evening in. There is plenty of Crumble too! Serve warm with hot custard or a scoop of ice cream for a lovely treat.

Other easy dessert recipes that you may love are German Apple Streusel Cake  and also my favourite Blackberry dessert, Pear, Lemon and Blackberry Cake.

What is an Apple Crumble Recipe?

Apple crumble, which is also known as apple crisp in some parts of the world is a popular dessert that features peeled, sliced and lightly spiced apples and a crumbly topping. In this version we add Blackberries for a sweet and slightly tart flavour.

This is a simple and comforting dessert that's especially popular during the colder months when apples are in season and there are ample apples to use up!

The dessert is assembled by placing the par cooked apple filling in a baking dish, topping with blackberries and then covering it with the crumble topping.

This is baked in the oven until the apples become tender and the topping turns golden brown and crisp.

The contrast between the soft, warm apple and blackberry filling and the buttery crumble  topping is what makes fruit crumble desserts so irresistible. 

Apple crumble is often served as is, but it's the perfect dessert to serve with hot custard or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Or both!

Ingredients for Blackberry Apple Crumble

This recipe is made with simple ingredients. As always, you can find the full printable recipe with ingredient quantities in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. Here is what you need to make it:

Apples 

Peeled and cored fresh Apples such as Granny Smith Apples, Bramley Apples, Cox, Braeburns are good options.

You can also use Gala, Honey crisp or Pink Lady Apples. Peel and cut into 1 cm cubes or as evenly as possible. These are cooked with Butter, Sugar, Cinnamon and Vanilla to add flavour.

Vanilla 

For plenty of flavour. This is optional but adds a lovely flavour to the fruit.

Fresh Blackberries

It is best to keep these juicy blackberries whole. You can go blackberry picking if you have areas nearby, to get the most juicy delicious blackberries.

I usually taste one to see if it is more on the sweet or tart side and then adjust the sugar in the recipe accordingly.

Light Brown Sugar 

This adds Caramel tones. For sweetness and moisture. You can use light or dark brown sugar in this recipe. You can also use Caster or Granulated Sugar instead.

Plain Flour/All Purpose Flour

This is used in the Crumble alongside Oats. You can also add other Flours such as Ground Almonds or some Corn Flour.

Oats

Instant Oats or Rolled Oats for added texture and a crunchy topping.

This is used when the Apples are cooked to thicken the juices.

Pinch Salt

This brings everything together.

Lemon Juice

This adds flavour. It also stops the Apples from discolouring if you do cut them ahead.

Caster Sugar

We use this to sweeten the crumble. It makes the topping crispy.

Ground Spices

Ground Cinnamon, Ginger, Nutmeg (Optional), Cardamom, All Spice
Adds aroma, warmth, and goes well with this fruit filling.

Butter 

Use cold Butter. This makes a rich golden crumble that is is simply irresistible!

How to Make Apple Blackberry Crumble

This simple dessert comes together quickly. For the full step by step instructions, scroll to the bottom of the page for the recipe card.

Step 1 - Make the Filling

Add Apples, Sugar, Lemon, Corn Flour, Cinnamon and Vanilla to a pan. Cook and simmer over low heat for about 10 minutes.

Remove from the heat and add Blackberries on top.

Step 2 - Make the topping

Add Flour and Oats to a bowl. Mix in the the Brown Sugar, Cinnamon, Cardamom, Ginger, All Spice, Nutmeg and Salt.


Rub Cold Butter into Flour to create a coarse crumble. Check that the Crumble clumps together in your hands.

Place in the fridge.

Step 3 - Assemble and Bake

Place the Fruit in an oven dish and top with crumble.
Cook in a preheated oven at 370 f/190 C/Gas Mark 5 for 25 minutes.

How to serve

Serve with hot Custard, a drizzle of heavy cream/double cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. 

It can be enjoyed just as it is but I love it with custard. 

Tips for making this delicious sweet crumble

Use cold butter for the crumble

This will make for a crunchier topping. 

Make the topping in advance

You can even make just the crumble in advance and keep it in the fridge for a really crunchy topping. Or make the Crumble just before the Apples and store it in the fridge whilst the Apples are cooking.

Substitutions and Variations

Crumble Toppings

Add texture  to the crumble topping via chopped Nuts or Seeds, Granola, Desiccated Coconut, flaked Almonds for a crisp topping.
Use some Almond Flour in the topping for a nutty flavour.

Gluten Free

You can use Gluten Free Plain Flour in the crumble topping and in the dish for the fruit. Or Corn Flour works well too.
Spices

Caramel

Serve with a drizzle of Caramel Sauce. It goes really well with Apple Crumble.

Fruit

The filling ingredients can include any fresh fruit that isn't too watery. In fact it is a great way to use up  juicy fruit.

Use your favorite fruits such as Pear and Blueberry in place of the Apples and Blackberries. Or use seasonal fruit for the best flavour.

Storage

How to store unbaked

This easy apple and blackberry crumble recipe can be stored in the fridge for 24 hours before baking.
If making ahead, toss the fruit with a spoonful of lemon juice so it doesn't brown too much.

How to store Baked

Once the crumble is baked, it can be kept in the fridge for up to 3 days.

You can save it whole but leftover crumble can also be stored covered in the fridge in the dish it was in or an airtight container for up to 3 days.

How to prepare Apple and Berry Crumble ahead of time

How to make it a few hours ahead

If you are making Apple Blackberry Crumble on the same day as you are planning to serve, assemble fully and store in the fridge. Bake for 5 minutes more or remove from the fridge 30 minutes before baking.

Bake it the Day before

If you are making it a day before, keep the crumble separate and the fruit separate in individual airtight containers.
 
Personally I would only make the Crumble a day ahead. It is best to peel and chop the apples on the day of making.

How to freeze this Crumble

Apple and Blackberry Crumble can be frozen both baked and unbaked.
Thaw overnight in the fridge and add an additional 5-10 minutes baking time.

Apple and Blackberry Crumble Recipe FAQs

Can you freeze apple and blackberry crumble?

Yes, it can be frozen either before or after baking. 

Thaw in the fridge overnight and bake as directed. If the crumble is still really cold, it might need a few minutes of extra baking time.

What kind of apples should I use?

I prefer Bramley Apples for this recipe. You can also use Granny Smith apples, Pink Lady, Braeburn, Honeycrisp or Gala Apples.

Can I double the recipe?

Absolutely! Use a larger/deeper baking dish if doubling the recipe. If using a deeper baking dish, you will need to bake it for longer.

Can I make smaller individual servings?

Yes use individual ramekins and divide the filling and topping evenly between them. Bake at the same temperature for 30 minutes. Check from 22 minutes onwards.

More Autumnal Dessert Recipes - 

Apple and Blackberry Pie

Cinnamon Spiced Apple Tray Bake Cake

Pumpkin Spice Latte Cake

The BEST Sticky Toffee Pudding Tray Bake

Chai Spice Cookies

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