By Kathryn McLean
We have so many fresh fruits available in Ontario throughout the summer. From June’s sweet strawberries to the late August peaches, everyone has a favourite.
Why not bake up a summer fruit crumble with one of yours this season? Try this simple fruit crumble recipe; it’s quick to prepare, delicious, and anyone can make one!
You can choose just about any type of fruit you like, whether stone fruit like apricots, plums or peaches, fresh berries or even apples or pears (though it’s best to wait for autumn for those!)
Try using a mix of berries or even combine berries with another fruit. Maybe apricots and blueberries? This recipe will also work with frozen berries or frozen chopped fruit.
Start with a standard 8×8” square baking pan. If you don’t have one, you can buy a disposable foil one at the grocery or dollar store.
Preheat the oven to 375℉.
Next, prepare the crumble topping.
Combine all the topping ingredients (everything except the fruit) in a medium-sized bowl and mix them together with a fork. It doesn’t need to be completely mixed until smooth, just mix everything so the ingredients more or less stick together.
Now for the fruit filling.
Depending on the fruit you’ve chosen it may need to be chopped, and the seeds or stone removed. If you’re using apricots, peaches, nectarines or plums, simply cut the fruit in half and take out the pit (you may need to cut it away from the fruit with a small knife).
Then slice the fruit into ½ inch slices. Follow the same step for apples or pears: cut out the stem, seeds and core, and then slice.
Blueberries, blackberries and raspberries can simply be rinsed; strawberries should be rinsed and the tops removed. I suggest cutting strawberries in half for this dish or slicing them into thick slices.
The important item to remember is that the pieces of fruit that are going into the baking pan should be similarly sized.
Once you’ve prepared the fruit, go ahead and place it all in the baking pan.
Top the fruit with the crumble topping you’ve prepared by spooning it over the fruits as evenly as you can. Be sure to also sprinkle any bits of flour or oats remaining in the bowl that didn’t mix in well over the fruit.
Finally, bake!
Bake for 30-35 minutes until the crumble is fully cooked and browned, like an oatmeal cookie.
Enjoy your fruit crumble warm from the oven or at room temperature. It’s delicious on its own, or try serving it with ice cream, yogurt or whipped cream.
Cover any extras and store in the fridge; you can heat up leftovers in the oven or enjoy it cold.
Simple Fruit Crumble Ingredients
4 cups prepared fruit
⅔ cup brown sugar
½ cup all purpose flour
½ cup oats (large flake/old fashioned is best, but quick cook is fine too)
¾ tsp ground cinnamon
¾ tsp ground nutmeg
½ cup room temperature butter
Add a pinch of salt if you’re using unsalted butter.