Apple and Blackberry Crumble

This Apple and Blackberry Crumble is the perfect mix of summer and fall flavors. A gluten-free and vegan dessert that's easy to make and will surely impress your guests.

I've been big into crisps and crumbles this summer, and as fall is upon us now, I'm sharing this delicious Apple Blackberry Crumble - it's a combination of the end of summer (blackberries) and the beginning of fall (apples).

This sweet and tart crumble is so easy to make and makes a great end-of-summer celebration dessert. Or really an anytime dessert - you can make this crumble with frozen fruit too!

Jump to:

• What is a crumble?
• Why I love this Apple Blackberry Crumble
• Ingredient Notes
• How to make this Apple and Blackberry Crumble
• FAQ & Expert Tips
• Recipe Prayer
• More apple and blackberry recipes
• Tried this recipe?
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Comments

What is a crumble?

There are three types of baked fruit desserts, topped with a pastry.

Crisps. Crumbles. Cobblers.

Cobblers are usually topped with biscuit dough, creating a more solid topping. Almost like a pie crust.

Crumbles and crisps are more similar. Crisps have an oat topping, while crumbles may not. But these two terms are pretty interchangeable.

So, a crumble is a delicious baked dish, with fruit on the bottom and a crispy, crumbly, and sweet oat topping.

Why I love this Apple Blackberry Crumble

• Dietary needs - this recipe is vegan and gluten free. And with only fruit and maple syrup used to sweeten, it's also refined sugar free. You won't find any vegan butter here - this recipe is also oil-free.
• Easy to make - you don't really need any special equipment and you only need a couple of bowls and 15 minutes to prep this crisp
• Tasty fall dessert - the end of summer.. the beginning of fall.. celebrate both with a delicious dessert. AND your friends and family will never know this recipe is vegan and gluten-free

Ingredient Notes

Filling

• Granny Smith Apples: Granny smiths are traditionally used in apple desserts because they've got that deliciously tart flavor. Since we're pairing the apples with blackberries AND adding some maple syrup to sweeten, granny smiths are perfect in this crumble. If you prefer a really sweet dessert, choose a sweeter apple like Gala or Honeycrisp.
• Fresh Blackberries: if you have access to fresh berries, use them! If not, frozen works too. Just thaw the berries and allow them to release their juices before using them in this recipe.
• Maple Syrup: maple syrup is technically optional if you don't want to add any sweetness. The dish will taste great with just the sweetness from the fruit, but a little maple syrup turns the crumble into a more decadent dessert.
• Lemon Juice: lemon juice helps the fruit stay fresh. It also adds a bite of acid to the dish to create a layer of flavor. Don't skip it, but you could sub lime juice.
• Vanilla Extract
• Cornstarch/Arrowroot: you can use either cornstarch or arrowroot powder. Both have the same effect: they coat the fruit so that the crisp topping doesn't soak up all their moisture.
• Salt

Crust

• Rolled Oats: rolled oats are the ideal crumble topping. You could also use quick oats (though I prefer the texture of rolled in this recipe). Avoid using steel cut oats - they won't work. Oats are naturally gluten-free, but if you have a severe gluten sensitivity, be sure to buy certified gluten-free oats to avoid the possible gluten contamination that can happen in processing.
• Oat Flour: I use oat flour because it is easy, relatively unprocessed, and cheap to make at home. But any flour will work.
• Pecans: pecans add some fat to the crisp topping (fat = flavor). They also add another crunchy texture. You could leave them out and sub in more oats or you can pick a different nut - walnuts would be a good sub.
• Maple Syrup: maple syrup will bind the crust together to make it crisp. If you want a completely fruit-sweetened dessert, use date syrup instead - the dish may need to bake longer with this option
• Cinnamon
• Salt

How to make this Apple and Blackberry Crumble

Step 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Step 2. Peel peel cube the apples.

Step 3. In a large bowl toss the apples, blackberries, maple syrup, lemon juice, vanilla, cornstarch, and salt.

Step 4. Place the filling in a 9-inch pie dish or other baking dish.

Step 5. In a medium bowl, mix the oats, flour, pecans, cinnamon, and salt.

Step 6. Sir in maple syrup until the mixture becomes clumpy.

Step 7. Place the topping mixture on top of the fruit.

Step 8. Bake for 35-40 minutes, until the top is crispy and the fruit is starting to bubble.

FAQ & Expert Tips

Recipe Prayer

Thank you God for the summer and fall seasons. Help us to celebrate the joys of each. Amen.

More apple and blackberry recipes

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