5 tips to make the best fruit crumble using fruit puree

There is nothing like a warm fruit crumble with vanilla ice cream and a cup of something warm to make you feel snug. It brings back memories of grandma. It is also a delicious summer dessert as summertime brings an abundance of fresh local fruits. Traditionally, fruit crumble is a British dessert made with stewed fruits and crumble. It has, however, now become an international favorite!

The 3 most important ingredients for the crumble are butter, sugar and plain flour.

5 tips to make the best fruit crumble

Here are some tips that are worth following when you try out a new fruit pie recipe with a mouthwatering crumble topping.

1. Butter it up

Use butter for the topping. And add more butter! Follow the recipe instructions, and if you feel that the crumble is still too dry then add a bit more melted butter a tablespoon at a time. Butter is the magic ingredient in getting the perfect topping for your fruit crumble. This will make your crumble deliciously crispy and melt-in-the-mouth. It will also give it a golden color.

2. Mix-and-match your fruit

Fruit puree can be used in many healthy tea-time or sweet breakfast recipes like fruit cookies, a low-calorie mug cake or sugar free jam. They are also ideal for a fruit crumble. Fruit purees are great to use because you can store them in your freezer and they’re available when you need them. Juicy berries and sweet stone fruits are perfect for a fruit crumble. (See also: Recipes with fruit).You can experiment with different fruits or combinations of fruits. Some winning fruits and combinations for fruit crumble are:

• Apple
• Blueberry
• Pineapple
• Apple and gooseberry
• Peach and plum
• Mixed berries
• Rhubarb and blackberry

3. Choose a suitable baking dish for your fruit crumble

It is important to use the proper sized baking dish. If the baking dish is too deep, then you will have too little crumble to go with the fruit filling. Nobody wants to miss out on the best part of a dessert!

4. Add an element of surprise

If you are a texture eater, then adding some chopped nuts, coconut flakes or rolled oats to the basic crumble is a good idea. This will create a textural contrast with the fruit filling. You could also add a complimentary spice, like cinnamon, and a light dusting of demerara sugar ­for a caramelized finish.

5. Serving suggestions

Fruit crumble can be enjoyed hot or cold. Ideally you would eat it hot out the oven with a sprinkling of icing sugar and vanilla ice-cream, thickened cream or custard. It must be served topping up!

A fruit crumble makes a perfect sweet treat for any time of day. It is also cheap and easy to make. The best thing is that it is always a favorite, winter or summer. This is one of the easiest recipes with fruit and the most delicious too!