Blueberry and Apple Crumble Recipe
Combining sweet and juicy blueberries with tender apples and a very crispy crumble topping makes an irresistible dessert. This Blueberry and Apple Crumble Recipe is a quick and easy dessert that appeals to everyone. Two easy tips result in the best. most crisp and crumbly topping ever!
We are a family that loves our Crisps, Crumbles, Buckles, and Cobblers. For as long as my children can remember, dinner at Grammie’s house always finished with one of these fruity desserts. Many conversations centered on the differences and distinctions between these and related desserts. In fact, my son set about to create a document detailing the specifics of each, which is when we discovered that there is a similar dessert called a ‘boy bait.’ I swear… Look it up!
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Featured Comment
“Made the Apple and Blueberry Crumble today and loved it! Used a frozen mixed berry mix instead of blueberries.“
Kathy
Why You Will Love This Blueberry and Apple Crumble Recipe?
- Quick and Easy: Requires minimal preparation effort and time, perfect for busy days or last-minute desserts.
- Versatile: You can customize the fruits according to the season or your preferences.
- Family Favorite: A beloved dessert among generations, ideal for gatherings or cozy family dinners.
- Irresistible Flavor: The combination of sweet blueberries, tart apples, and buttery crumble topping creates a mouthwatering dessert that’s hard to resist.
What’s The Difference Between Crisps and Crumbles?
In all honesty, these desserts are very similar. The only difference is that a Crisp includes oatmeal in its streusel-y, oat crumble topping, while a Crumble does not.
And that’s really the only way these desserts are different.
They both have in common that they are extraordinarily easy and quick to prepare, use fresh fruit, and are universally welcome following any dinner. I’ll eagerly order a humble crumble (or crisp) even with much fancier desserts on the menu at any restaurant.
What Are The Ingredients In This Apple and Blueberry Crumble?
I believe that the simplest ingredients make some of the best meals. This blueberry apple crumble is a prime example!
The crumble crust is made of:
- Brown Sugar adds a rich flavor and moist texture to the crumble topping. Depending on your personal preference, you can choose between dark and light brown sugar.
- White Sugar: Provides sweetness to both the crumble topping and the fruit filling.
- Flour: Helps bind the ingredients in the crumble topping and adds structure.
- Butter is essential for creating a buttery and crisp texture in the topping. Make sure it’s cold and cut into small pieces for easy blending.
- Cinnamon: Adds warmth and depth of flavor to the crumble topping, complementing the fruits beautifully.
The fruit-filling ingredients are simple:
- Blueberries: You can use fresh or frozen blueberries; both work well. If using frozen, adjust the cornstarch accordingly to absorb excess moisture.
- Apples: Honeycrisp, Gala, or Granny Smith apples are recommended for their firm texture and balanced sweetness.
- Cornstarch: Helps thicken the fruit filling, preventing it from becoming too runny.
Frequently Asked Questions
While this is a great recipe to use up some of your bounties during blueberry season, you can use frozen blueberries or any frozen fruit in any fruit crisp or crumble recipe! Use the same amount of frozen as you would fresh fruit. The freezing process breaks down the fruit’s cell wall, making it softer and juicier when it thaws. Accordingly, add another 1/4 – 1/2 tablespoon of cornstarch when you sprinkle it over the frozen fruit.
Yup! You sure can. And you have options!
You can easily prepare the crumble topping and freeze it until needed. If you are going to the effort, I’d double the crumble topping for use on another dessert later. Then, you can prepare the fruit the day you need the dessert. This is my preferred method of prepping in advance.
You can prepare the whole blueberry apple crumble and freeze it overnight. Then, thaw overnight in the fridge before you bake. The downside to this method is that you will need to defrost the whole dessert simultaneously, meaning that your crumbles won’t be as crumbly.
You can prepare, bake, and freeze the apple blueberry crumble recipe. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then pop it in a 350º oven for 30 minutes.
Adjust the Sugar to Your Liking
In all honesty, you could actually leave out the sugar sprinkled over the berries. I typically opt for the lower 1/8 cup of sugar with the fruit. But it’s a personal preference. With the sugar in the topping, I feel that very little is actually needed with the berries.
What Are The Tips For the Best Crumbly Topping?
First, leave your pastry blender in the drawer and use your fingers to really crumble the dry mixture with the butter, leaving no dry ingredients in the bowl.
Second, make the topping first and freeze it while you dice the apples and prepare the fruit topping.
Finally, put the topping on, right before you pop the whole dessert into the oven. If you have time earlier in the day, go ahead and make the topping early to make sure it gets good and cold; you will be rewarded with the best crumble topping…ever!
Blueberry and Apple Crumble
Ingredients
Fruit Filling
- 2 1/2 cups diced apples 2-3 apples, approximately 1 pound, sprinkle with lemon juice to avoid apple browning.
- 2 1/2 cups blueberries
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/8 – 1/3 cup white sugar
Crumble Topping
- 1 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 1 stick of butter 4 ounces, at room temperature
- 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
Instructions
Prepare Crumble Topping
- Preheat oven to 350°F
- Combine flour, brown sugar, white sugar, and cinnamon.
- Add softened butter.
- Mix topping ingredients by combining them in a medium bowl and pressing them together with your fingers. Ensure no flour remains and all the butter has been absorbed into the flour and sugar mixture. You will have large, heavy crumbs, more like chunks.
- Put the bowl with the topping mixture into the freezer while you prepare the fruit filling.
Prepare the Fruit Topping and Bake the Crumble
- While the topping is chilling, combine the diced apples and blueberries.
- Sprinkle cornstarch and sugar over the apples and blueberries.
- Place the fruit in an even layer into an 8" by 8" square baking dish or equivalent baking dish or baking pan.
- Evenly distribute the chilled topping over the fruit mixture.
- Bake for 45 – 50 minutes, until the crumble topping is browned and juices are bubbling up on the side.
- Let the crumble sit for a few minutes before serving.
- I prefer my crumble just plain, but my mom likes vanilla ice cream or whipped cream on hers.
Nutrition
Looking for Other Fruit Recipes?
If strawberries are your thing, check out Strawberry Crisp or Strawberry Crumble.
This Yogurt Plum Cake is gorgeous AND delicious!
Bookmark this page or pin the following image to refer back to this Blueberry and Apple Crumble in the future.
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Made the Apple and Blueberry Crumble today and loved it! Used a frozen mixed berry mix instead of blueberries. A question: I used Honeycrisp apples and diced them fairly small (about the size of playing dice) but wonder if they should have been even smaller since they were rather firm after baking for 50 minutes. Still delicious, served without ice cream.
Good Morning Kathy,
I’m so glad you enjoyed the Apple Blueberry Crisp! It’s such a simple and delicious recipe.
Honeycrisp are known for keeping their shape when baked. If you are looking for a softer apple, you might consider Red Delicious, McIntosh, and Golden Delicious apples.
Thanks so much for taking the time to write in! We so appreciate comments! ❤️❤️
Hugs, Lynn