Seasonal comforting blackberry and apple crumble. This one’s spiced with warming ginger and includes walnuts in the crumble topping for additional taste and texture.
The season of mellow fruitfulness is now upon us. I have a bag full of apples from my mother’s garden and blackberries abound in our Cornish hedgerows. Inevitably, a blackberry and apple crumble will make its way onto our early autumn dinner table. In truth, this time of year is just not complete without one.
The Humble Crumble
The humble crumble, is really the king of puds. It’s easy to make and can turn pretty much any seasonal fruit into a melting, comforting bowl of deliciousness. A dollop of Cornish clotted cream or a spoonful of warm homemade custard completes this most classic of British puddings.
This blackberry and apple crumble is our first of the season. It’s spiced with warming ginger and includes walnuts in the crumble topping for additional taste and texture.
Freezing Blackberries
For this fruity pud, I used blackberries from a foraging expedition last week. I’d frozen them for just such an occasion. In fact, I’ve only recently figured out the secret to freezing berries. I used to just bung all my berries in a bag and stick them in the freezer. They always come out in a big gungey mess.
To be honest, that doesn’t really matter for puddings such as blackberry and apple crumble or for jam making. But recently, I’ve wanted just the odd few individual berries to add to my morning smoothies. I now, freeze the blackberries on a tray in a single layer for just half an hour, before placing them in a bag. This way they remain as individual berries. Much more aesthetically pleasing and easier to deal with too.
Blackberry and Apple Crumble
It should come as no surprise, but I always use wholemeal or spelt flour for my crumble topping. This not only ups the nutritional content of the pudding, but it gives an additional nutty flavour which I really like. Even my friend Andy, who considers himself something of a crumble expert, reckons my crumbles are up there with the best.
I like my fruit to err on the sweet rather than tart side, but only just. You may need a bit more sugar if your apples are very acidic or a bit less if you prefer more tartness in your tart.
If the apples are organic and in good condition, I like to keep the peel on. As long as the blackberry and apple crumble is well cooked, the peel isn’t that obvious and it’s a shame to waste such a nutritious part of the fruit. This recipe can easily be scaled up to feed more people.
This classic pud is best served with clotted cream or warm custard.
Other Recipes for Fruit Crumble You Might Like
- Blackberry and rose crumble via Baking Queen
- Chocolate chip apple crumble via Tin and Thyme
- Plum and orange oat crumble via Farmersgirl Kitchen
- Rhubarb crumble with ten variations via Tin and Thyme
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Thanks for visiting Tin and Thyme. If you make this blackberry and apple crumble, I’d love to hear about it in the comments below. And do please rate it. Have you any top tips? Do share photos on social media too and use the hashtag #tinandthyme, so I can spot them.
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Choclette x
Blackberry and Apple Crumble. PIN IT.
Blackberry and Apple Crumble – The Recipe
Blackberry and Apple Crumble with a Nutty Ginger Twist
Ingredients
- 80 g wholemeal flour (I used wholemeal spelt flour)
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- 40 g salted butter
- 40 g demerara sugar 2 x 20g
- 20 g walnuts roughly chopped
- 15 g crystallised ginger finely chopped
- 1 large cooking apple or 2 small ones (I used an unidentified Cornish variety)
- 1 handful blackberries fresh or frozen
- 1 splash water
Instructions
- Rub the butter into the flour and ground ginger until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.80 g wholemeal flour, ¼ tsp ground ginger, 40 g salted butter
- Stir in 20g of the sugar, the walnuts and crystallised ginger.20 g walnuts, 15 g crystallised ginger
- Wash, quarter and core the apple, but leave the peel on if it’s organic and in good condition. Slice finely and lay in the bottom of a small buttered pie dish.1 large cooking apple
- Scatter the blackberries over the top followed by the water and remaining sugar.1 handful blackberries, 1 splash water
- Spoon the crumble topping over the top and bake for 25 minutes at 180℃ (350℉, Gas 4) or until the top has browned and the fruit is cooked. You will need more time if you are making larger quantities.
Notes
Nutrition Estimate
Sharing
I’m sending this blackberry and apple crumble off to Katie at Feeding Boys for Simple and in Season.
This blackberry and apple crumble is one of several organic recipes I’m posting for #OrganicSeptember, which is all about making small changes this year.
The apple I used was a windfall and needed using quickly before it bruised and spoiled, so this goes to the No Waste Food Challenge at Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary.
Chloe Edges says
There is nothing that ginger doesn’t improve! Fact!
Choclette says
I’m completely with you on that one. It’s so versatile and brilliant for both savoury and sweet.
Elizabeth says
Mmm I’m loving the sound of this! So wonderful to have wild fruit to use too. Thank you for sharing with the No Waste Food Challenge!
Choclette says
Thanks Elizabeth. I grew up with blackberries all around in the hedgerows (and our garden) and sometimes forget not everyone has such easy access to them.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
O that’s lovely! The ginger adds that perfect spice and I just love fruit crumbles!
Choclette says
There’s nothing quite like a crumble at this time of year Rebecca and the ginger adds a nice bit of extra heat 🙂
Nayna Kanabar says
I adore the idea of adding ginger I am going to try this as I love ginger spice very much.
Choclette says
I often add ginger to my crumbles. It goes brilliantly with rhubarb too.
Kate - gluten free alchemist says
If there’s crumble to be had, then it MUST be Autumn! The most comforting pud on the planet…. for sure. Nice addition of ginger and walnut…. I have a real thing for walnuts right now…. in fact I get a real thing for walnuts this time every year!
Freezing blackberries (and other fruit) in a single layer on a tray is definitely the way to go….. or so my mother taught me many (many many) years ago! x
Choclette says
Ah, you were lucky Kate. We used to freeze masses of fruit when I was young, but we never discovered this method. Much more elegant. Now autumn I’ve accepted that Autumn is actually here, I’m embracing it – just need to find some fresh walnuts.
Jill @ MadAboutMacarons says
I adore the look of this crumble. Lovely crunch with the toasted walnuts and the crystallised ginger just adds that lovely warm punch. I’d even just eat this on its own, without any ice cream or custard 🙂
Choclette says
Or even clotted cream Jill? Thank you, there’s a reason why crumble is such a favourite pud.
nadia says
Oh yum! Its funny I never used to like fruity desserts but now I can’t get enough of them! Strange how your taste buds change over time. This looks so delicious and comforting with a generous serving of homemade custard 😀
Choclette says
Thanks Nadia. Fruity desserts weren’t my favourite when I was young either, so a maturing palate must surely be a “thing”.
Dom says
oh I love this time of year for berries and crumbles… LOVE the ginger twist here. Beautiful stuff
Choclette says
Thanks Dom. Autumn most certainly has its compensations 🙂
Katie Bryson says
Oh how I love autumn and a steaming bowl of crumble drizzled with lots and lots of custard! I love how you’ve customised the topping with nuts and ginger, I bet that’s super tasty 🙂 Thanks so much for hooking up with this month’s round of Simple and in Season xxx
Choclette says
Thanks Katie. I can’t resist adding extras to my crumble toppings.
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
We are fans of crumble :-)) Love the addition of crystallised ginger in awesome recipe.
Choclette says
Thanks Angie. Crumbles are such perfect comfort food.
Sarah, Maison Cupcake says
Who doesn’t love a humble crumble? I often keep bags of crumble mix and fruit in my freezer so I can chuck one in the oven any moment for easy home made comfort pudding.
Choclette says
Now that is an excellent idea Sarah. I do wish I could get more organised.
Lucy says
Mmm the topping looks wonderful with the spelt flour, walnuts and ginger, this sounds delicious. I need to get foraging!
Choclette says
Oh yes, don’t miss the bramble season Lucy 🙂
Gingey Bites says
Yum, just love crumble and the addition of ginger is perfect!
Choclette says
Haha yes, how could you not approve?