Strawberry Crumble

Combining fresh berries with a crunchy buttery topping, this strawberry crumble recipe is a delicious and easy-to-make dessert with fresh seasonal fruit. Like fruit crisps, pies and cobblers, strawberry crumble offers a balance of sweet and tart flavors with a satisfying textural contrast between soft fruit and buttery crust. Plus, it’s a great way to use up fresh or overripe strawberries when they’re in season.

Ingredients for Making Strawberry Crumble

• Strawberries: Halved fresh strawberries provide this crumble’s juicy, sweet base. Their natural sweetness and slight tartness create the perfect flavor balance in the dessert. Fresh, ripe strawberries are best for this recipe, but you can also use frozen strawberries if fresh ones are not available.
• Sugar: Granulated sugar is added to the strawberries to enhance their natural sweetness and to help create a delicious syrup as the crumble bakes.
• Cornstarch: This thickening agent ensures the strawberry filling is not too runny and has a nice, thick, glossy consistency.
• Flour: All-purpose flour is the main component of the crumble topping. It provides structure and helps create that perfect crumbly texture.
• Brown sugar: The caramel-like sweetness of brown sugar in the crumble topping compliments the flavor of the strawberries.
• Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon adds a warm, spicy note to the crumble topping.
• Salt: A small amount of salt balances the crumble’s sweetness.
• Butter: Cold cubed butter is cut into the flour mixture to create the perfect crumbly texture for the topping. As the crumble bakes, it melts to create a nice, crumbly texture.
• Ice cream: Vanilla ice cream is optional, but it’s creamy, cold texture contrasts beautifully with the warm crumble.

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the strawberries

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In a large bowl, combine strawberries, sugar and cornstarch. Transfer them to a greased 8-inch square baking dish. Preheat the oven to 375°F.

Step 2: Make the crumble topping

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Combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt in a small bowl. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle this over the strawberries.

Step 3: Bake the crumble

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Bake until the filling is bubbly and the topping is lightly browned, about 30 to 40 minutes. Serve the crumble warm with ice cream, if desired.

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Strawberry Crumble Recipe Variations

• Make mixed berry crumble: Substitute half of the strawberries with other berries like blueberries, raspberries or blackberries.
• Go gluten-free: Use a gluten-free flour blend instead of regular flour.
• Opt for a vegan crumble: To make this recipe vegan, use a plant-based butter substitute. Be sure to buy one that performs well in baked goods.

How to Store Strawberry Crumble

Leftover strawberry crumble can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for about 15 minutes or microwave individual servings for 1 minute.

Can you make strawberry crumble ahead of time?

You can assemble the crumble 24 hours in advance and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake. You can also freeze the unbaked crumble. Assemble the dessert, cover it tightly with aluminum foil and freeze for up to three months. Add 10 to 15 minutes to the baking time when ready to bake.

Strawberry Crumble Recipe Tips

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What’s the difference between a crumble and a crisp?

Crumbles are different from crisps.  They don’t have oats and usually do not include nuts.

Can I use frozen strawberries?

Frozen strawberries can be used in strawberry crumble. Make sure to thaw them completely and drain any excess liquid before using.

How do I make the crumble topping crispier?

Add a little more butter or sprinkle a small amount of sugar over the top before baking to make the crumble topping crispier.