The Perfect Apple & Blackberry Crumble Recipe

If you’ve been for a country walk through the woods or across heathland just about anywhere in the UK, it is likely that you will have snagged your clothes on the long thorny creepers of the blackberry or bramble bushes that arc persistently through the undergrowth. Most of us will remember picking and eating them straight from the bush as children when late summer came around.

There are dozens of ways to use brambles (also known as blackberries); you can make delicious jam, tarts, pies and even sloe bramble gin! But for now, and a little hint of nostalgia, we have pulled out our favourite bramble and apple crumble recipe for you to share with your friends and family on a cold autumnal evening.

Recipe Ingredients 

  • 120g plain flour
  • 60g caster sugar
  • 30g demerara sugar
  • 60g unsalted butter
  • 300g Braeburn apples
  • 115g blackberries
  • 1/4tsp cinnamon

Our Top Tip

Before using blackberries, leave them on a large sheet of baking paper for half an hour so that any insects can escape. Then put the berries in a colander and stand in a bowl of water, just to the level of the berries. This should bring any remaining insects to the surface. We like to use our Natural Stoneware Strainer as this is the perfect size for berries.

Cooking Time

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Total Time Needed: 35 minutes

Serves: 4

Recipe Method

  1. Pre-heat your oven to 190°C/170°C fan/gas 5. Pour 120g plain flour and 60g caster sugar into a deep bowl and then add 60g of unsalted butter that has been left out at room temperature to soften. Rub the butter into the flour using your fingertips until it has made a light breadcrumb texture. Try not to overwork the mixture or your crumble will be very dense. 

  2. Meanwhile, peel, core and cut 300g of Braeburn apples into 2cm dice. Put 30g unsalted butter and 30g of Demerara sugar into a medium saucepan and melt together over a medium heat. Cook for 3 mins until the mixture turns to a light caramel colour.

  3. Stir in the apples and cook until soft. Then add 115g blackberries and ¼ tsp ground cinnamon and stir.

  4. Once the apples and blackberries are combined, pour the fruit into a serving dish of your choice and cover the top with crumble mixture you've already made.

  5. Place your crumble in to your pre-heated oven and bake for 20 minutes until your crumble topping is a golden brown colour.

  6. Serve your crumble into individual bowls, and for a touch of extra indulgence serve with creamy custard or vanilla ice cream!