Desserts - Cakes & Pastries

French Fruit Crumble

Name: French Fruit Crumble
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 6 cups Mixed seasonal fruits (berries, apples, pears, peaches), chopped; 0.25 cup Granulated sugar (for fruit); 1 tablespoon Cornstarch; 1 tablespoon Lemon juice; 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract; 1.5 cups All-purpose flour; 0.5 cup Granulated sugar (for topping); 0.75 cup Unsalted butter, cold and cubed; 1 pinch Salt

55 min6 servingsEasy380 cal

A beloved French adaptation of the classic British dessert, French Fruit Crumble features a delightful medley of seasonal fruits baked until tender under a golden, buttery, and crumbly topping. It's a comforting and easy-to-make dessert, perfect for any occasion. While the crumble originates from Britain, it has been enthusiastically adopted and integrated into French home cooking, particularly as "Crumble aux fruits." It gained popularity for its simplicity and the ability to showcase seasonal produce, becoming a cherished dessert often served warm with crème fraîche or vanilla ice cream.

easydessertFrench CuisineFruitBaking

Ingredients

6 cups Mixed seasonal fruits (berries, apples, pears, peaches), chopped
0.25 cup Granulated sugar (for fruit)
1 tablespoon Cornstarch
1 tablespoon Lemon juice
1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
1.5 cups All-purpose flour
0.5 cup Granulated sugar (for topping)
0.75 cup Unsalted butter, cold and cubed
1 pinch Salt

Instructions

1
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease an 8x8 inch or similar baking dish.
2
Prepare the fruit filling: In a large bowl, combine the chopped fruits, 1/4 cup sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Toss gently to combine.
3
Pour the fruit mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
4
Prepare the crumble topping: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, 1/2 cup sugar, and salt.
5
Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Using your fingertips, a pastry blender, or a fork, work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining.
6
Evenly sprinkle the crumble topping over the fruit layer in the baking dish.
7
Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the fruit filling is bubbly and tender.
8
Let the crumble cool slightly before serving. It's delicious warm.

Chef's Tips

•Storage: Leftover crumble can be stored, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave for best results.
•Substitutions: For a nuttier flavor, add 1/4 cup of rolled oats or chopped almonds to the crumble topping. You can also substitute part of the flour with whole wheat flour for a slightly healthier twist.
•Serving Suggestion: Serve warm with a dollop of crème fraîche, vanilla ice cream, or a drizzle of warm custard for an extra luxurious touch.
•Fun Fact: The term "crumble" literally describes the texture of the topping, which is meant to be crumbly and crisp, contrasting beautifully with the soft fruit underneath.