Blackberry and Apple Crumble
Blackberry and Apple Crumble is a classic dessert made with seasonal apples and blackberries and a sweet and crumbly oat topping. It is one of the real treats of Autumn and it’s so easy to make.
Why should I make Blackberry & Apple Crumble?
Crumbles are such an easy dessert to make. And yet the combination of the slightly tart fruit and the soft sweet crumble makes them everyone’s favourite. Blackberry and Apple Crumble is an autumn favourite especially when you can forage in the hedgerow for some juicy blackberries to go with your apples.
What ingredients do I need to make Blackberry and Apple Crumble?
Apart from the blackberries, all the ingredients for this recipe are simple things that you probably have in your larder or fridge.
- apples
- blackberries
- sugar
- plain (all purpose_ flour
- soft butter
- rolled oats
- brown sugar
What kind of apples should I use?
Use sharp-tasting apples like Bramley seedling cooking apples or Granny Smith eating apples. The tartness of the apples is essential for the balance with the sweet crumble. You can use other apples but sharp apples definitely make the best desserts.
We have a small apple tree in our garden which we bought for our grandson’s first Easter. It’s the variety Discovery and although the apples are good they don’t store well. So I do use them in baking and desserts.
I get so much pleasure from being able to walk over to the tree and pick a few apples. And then forage in the hedgerows around the yard for enough blackberries to make a crumble.
What are blackberries?
Wild blackberries or brambles belong to the rose family. The long prickly briars grow through hedgerows and take over any patch of ground if left to their own devices. However, they do produce lots of delicious berries from mid-summer through to mid-autumn depending on where you live.
Cultivated blackberries are much sweeter and have less seeds. These hybrid berries can be grown in your garden and have no thorns! You can also buy cultivated blackberries in markets and supermarkets.
Where can I forage for blackberries?
You’ll find blackberries in woods, hedges, roadside verges, and possibly even your garden. Don’t trespass on private property, always ask if you see blackberries in an area that looks private. Don’t pick blackberries close to a busy road as the berries will be covered in pollution from exhaust fumes.
How do I know which blackberries I should pick?
Living on a farm means that we have miles of hedgerows intertwined with brambles and dripping with beautiful ripe blackberries. Last year someone asked me how to tell if the blackberries were okay to eat, so I’ve put together these simple guidelines:
- Blackberries are at their best towards the latter half of summer, peaking in August and early September.
- Pick blackberries during the cooler parts of the day. Once picked, place the berries in the shade and refrigerate as soon as possible
- Look for blackberries which are black and shiny Pick only berries that are fully black and shiny. Mature berries are plump yet firm, a deep black colour, and pull free from the plant without a yank. Berries do not ripen after being picked.
- When you pull them, the part which joined on to the stem should be white (see photo above).
- If the blackberries are dull or the inside is grey/brown throw them away, then they are past their best.
What should I do with the blackberries when I get them home?
Once you get your blackberries home, pour them out into trays or baking trays in a single layer, and remove any soft or unripe berries and random leaves.
Don’t wash the berries until you are ready to use them or freeze them. Washing makes them more prone to spoiling.
What kind of sugar should I use?
You will need two different kinds of sugar for this blackberry and apple crumble. I use white granulated sugar in the fruit mixture. You can also use white caster (superfine) sugar if liked.
Use brown sugar in the crumble. I prefer demerara sugar because it has large crystals and provides a bit of a crunch. However, you can use brown sugar, preferably light brown sugar as dark brown or muscovado sugar has a distinct treacle/molasses taste that will overpower the taste of the fruit.
Why should I add rolled oats to the crumble?
Rolled oats add a delicious toasted nutty flavour and a bit of a crunch to your crumble topping. It’s not essential and if you prefer not to use them then simply substitute the rolled oats for more flour. However, I would urge you to try rolled oats in your crumble because they really are delicious.
Can I make the Blackberry and Apple Crumble ahead of time?
You can prepare the Blackberry and Apple Crumble several hours before baking in the oven. I don’t recommend keeping it for more than about 3 or 4 hours. Once you have baked the crumble it will stay warm for about half an hour.
If you want to get further ahead then you can make up the crumble mix and store it in the fridge in a sealed box or bag for up to 5 days. Then prepare your apples and blackberries and simply top with the crumble mix.
Can I freeze Blackberry and Apple Crumble?
I don’t recommend freezing the baked Blackberry and Apple Crumble. Blackberries freeze really well and you can use them straight from the freezer as they will thaw quickly in the oven.
You can also freeze portions of crumble mix for up to 3 months. And you can use it straight from the freezer which is a great shortcut.
Vegetarian
This recipe is meat-free and suitable for vegetarians.
Gluten Free
Blackberry and Apple Crumble contains wheat flour in the crumble mix. You can replace wheat flour with gluten-free flour. Please check that any rolled oats that you use are suitable for a GF diet as they may have been produced in a factory where there may be cross-contamination.
For more information regarding any dietary information provided on this website, please refer to my Nutritional Disclaimer.
How do I serve Blackberry & Apple Crumble?
The blackberries and apples ‘melt’ down into a delicious and soft fruity ‘jam’ at the bottom of the dish. This gives a beautiful contrast to the crisp sweet and crunchy crumble topping. You can serve it just as it comes from the oven or with one of the following:
- Custard – try my Easy Vanilla Custard Sauce,
- Pouring cream
- Whipped cream
- Vanilla Ice cream
- Greek Yogurt.
More Crumble Recipes
Classic Rhubarb Crumble is a delicious dessert that is so easy to make and popular with all the family. The soft sweet rhubarb has just enough of a tang to cut through the topping of crumbly, buttery crumble.
Mincemeat and Apple Crumble is a festive twist on the classic apple crumble dessert. Tangy slices of apple combine with rich mincemeat and a delicate crumble topping, it’s perfect comfort food for the darkest days of winter.
Classic Apple Crumble is a traditional and very popular warm apple dessert. Soft sweet apples are topped with a crisp buttery crumble topping to make one of the simplest desserts and one that makes everyone smile.
Blackberry and Apple Crumble
Equipment
- Sharp knife
- chopping board
- weighing scales
- medium bowl
- blunt knife
- Ovenproof dish
- serving spoon
Ingredients
- 2 large (2) apples (approx 1 cup sliced apples) either cooking apples or sharp eating apples
- 100 grams (1 cups) blackberries
- 75 grams (⅓ cups) granulated sugar
- 75 grams (⅓ cups) plain flour
- 75 grams (¼ cups) soft butter or dairy free spread
- 75 grams (½ cups) rolled oats
- 50 grams (3 tbsp) demerara or soft brown sugar
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 200C
- 75 grams plain flour, 75 grams soft butter or dairy free spreadPut the flour and the butter or spread into a bowl, and rub the fat into the flour until it resembles breadcrumbs,
- 75 grams rolled oats, 50 grams demeraraStir in the rolled oats and demerara or soft brown sugar.
- 2 large apples (approx 1 cup sliced apples), 100 grams blackberries, 75 grams granulated sugarPeel, core and slice the apples and put in a heatproof dish with the blackberries, sprinkle over the granulated sugar.
- Cover the fruit with the crumble mixture.
- Bake in the oven for about 45 minutes until the fruit is bubbling and the crumble is golden brown.
- Serve with custard, ice cream or cream.
Janice, this looks so delicious and reminds me of crumbles growing up in Scotland. You’re so lucky to have so many blackberries (or brambles as we called them…) You know, I used to add ice cream to it but with this I would do as the French would do and just serve it entirely on its own. Nothing better to appreciate all its gorgeous flavours.
Thank you Jill, yes we call them brambles, but I have to say blackberries for general understanding! The old pyrex dish belongs to my mother in law, but my own mum had one the same and I suspect yours did too! Somehow it makes a crumble taste better. I love the diary/fruit contrast but I know what you mean about appreciating it in all it’s glory.
I agree with Jill, I miss the bramble bushes and eating them right off the stem! However, I’ll disagree with the ice cream or on it’s own, crumble MUST have cream or custard in my book, but I would always choose cream over custard! 🙂 Looks fabulous, Janice!
I do love to pick brambles and eat them right off, there are always a few that I just can’t resist. I’m not a huge custard fan, so I’d go with cream or ice cream every time.
Blackberry and Apple is my all time favourite fruit combo. My mum would always make a B & A pie that was to die for. I think it’s the sweet / tartness that I adore so much. Your crumble really looks exceptionally good! Bring on the autumn I say!
Thanks Dom. I’ve made many a Blackberry and Apple Crumble, but for some reason this one was very good and the first of the season is always the best.
You have really made me want to get out and hunt down the blackberries around us, we have so many. This is one of the best crumbles there is!
I hope you can find some Laura, it really is a special autumn treat.
Nothing beats a home made crumble! I like mine with custard or ice cream, depending on the weather 🙂
Ah yes, the weather is definitely a decider, Elizabeth!
We love the sweet tang of fresh-picked brambles (and the awesome cancer-preventing ellagic acid in each berry) with homegrown apples. This is one of our favourite types of crumbles. Make mine with a blob of proper French creme fraiche!
It’s great when food that you love is also good for you! Creme Fraiche is a great choice, not too sweet but with that creamy hit.
I love crumble with piping hot custard. Simply delicious.
I can almost taste it Nayna!
So perfect for this time of year – we have picked tons of blackberries this year!
It is ideal, such an easy dessert and great flavour. I’m not sure we will get too many more because there has been so much rain this week.
We have a favourite walk with lots of bramble bushes. I am just waiting for that fruit to ripen.
Hope the weather improves and you get lots of brambles on your walk. Not easy picking them with boy and dogs!
This is the perfect Autumn comforting dessert! Looks incredible, I can imagine sitting with a hot cuppa, good book and a bowl of your crumble 😉
That sounds perfect Sylvia! I would love to have time to do that too.
always delicious! One of my favourites.
Thank you ema, mine too!
I love apple and blackberry crumble and yours looks absolutely delicious. The blackberries on my allotment are over but I noticed a lot in the hedgerows at the weekend. I think I shall have to go foraging as I want to make this now
Thanks Jacqui, most of ours got spoiled with the rain, but I have plenty stored in the freezer ?
This is such a classic recipe and always reminds me of the desserts my Gran and my Mum would both make for Sunday lunch. I love it with lashings of custard – we used to fight over who got the skin off the top!!!!! Thanks so much for hooking up with this month’s round of Simple and in Season 🙂
You are righ Katie, my mum and gran both made crumbles all the time.
That’s such a good photo of your blackberries and it almost makes me wish it was autumn. But given what a horrid autumn we had this year followed by an even more horrid winter, I think I’d better put that thought behind me. But I’d so love to tuck into this crumble now.
The answer is to have some blackberries in the freezer to enjoy at any time of year.