Blackberry Crumble: An Easy and Delicious Summer Dessert

Prep: 15 min | Bake: 45 min

As soon as the dark purple fruits of blackberries find their way to the market, it's time for a simple and delightful blackberry crumble. This recipe beautifully showcases the flavor of the season's fruits without overpowering them with unnecessary ingredients. The star of this dessert is the blackberries themselves, while the buttery crumble topping complements their natural sweetness. Feel free to experiment with different fruits and baking spices to add variety and curiosity to your creations.

Key Ingredients:

- Blackberries: Select plump, firm, and shiny blackberries, ensuring there's no mold. Gently wash the berries under cold running water due to their delicate nature.

- Sugar: Use granulated sugar to sweeten both the blackberry filling and the crumble topping.

- Cornstarch: This ingredient helps thicken the juices released by the blackberries while baking, preventing a runny consistency.

- All-purpose flour: Utilize all-purpose flour to achieve the desired crumbly texture in the topping. Avoid substituting with other types of flour.

- Cinnamon: Enhance the crumble topping with a touch of sweet cinnamon, creating a comforting and cozy flavor.- European-style butter: Opt for butter with a higher butterfat content, such as European-style butter, for a richer and more delectable dessert.

Directions:

1. Mix the blackberry filling:

•  Preheat the oven to 375°F. Place the fresh blackberries in a large bowl.
•  Sprinkle the berries with the granulated sugar and cornstarch, ensuring each blackberry is evenly coated.

2. Add the topping:

• In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
• Cut in the cold butter until the mixture reaches a crumbly consistency.- Sprinkle the topping evenly over the blackberry mixture in a greased 2-1/2-quart baking dish.

3. Bake:

•  Bake the blackberry filling uncovered until it bubbles and the topping turns lightly golden, typically around 45 to 50 minutes.

4. Serve:

•  Enjoy the blackberry crumble while it's still warm. Serve with sweetened whipped cream or a scoop of indulgent vanilla ice cream for an extra treat.

Editor's Tip: Allow the blackberry crumble to cool at room temperature for 30 to 60 minutes after baking. This allows the filling to set and cool off, preventing any risk of burning your mouth. For storage, cool the crumble to room temperature, cover it with storage wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate. It can be kept in the fridge for up to four days, maintaining its deliciousness for later enjoyment.

Experience the simplicity and delightful flavors of blackberry crumble, a perfect summer dessert showcasing the bountiful goodness of blackberries. Delicious and versatile, this recipe invites you to savor the natural sweetness of fruit while indulging in a comforting, crumbly topping.