This festive Christmas Crumble is a cozy, warm dessert that’s perfect for the holiday season. With a sweet and spiced fruit base, topped with a buttery, crumbly topping, it’s the ultimate comfort food to enjoy by the fire.
The combination of fruits like apples and berries with cinnamon and nutmeg makes it a deliciously aromatic treat, while the crisp crumble topping adds just the right amount of texture.
Pair this delightful Christmas Crumble with a steaming mug of Hot Chocolate for the ultimate winter indulgence, or sip on some Mulled Wine to enhance the rich, spiced flavors of the crumble. These comforting drinks make the perfect companions, creating a warming and festive experience for your guests or family.
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Crumble?
- Festive and Cozy: A warm, spiced crumble that captures the flavors of the season, perfect for chilly winter evenings.
- A Holiday Favorite: This easy-to-make dessert will become a family favorite, perfect for holiday gatherings and cozy nights.
Christmas Crumble Recipe
This warm, comforting crumble combines tender apples and pears with a hint of cranberry and festive spices. The buttery, nutty crumble topping makes it a perfect holiday dessert.
Equipment
- Peeler and knife
- Medium saucepan
- Mixing bowls
- Baking dish (approximately 25cm x 30cm)
- Grater
- Oven
Ingredients
- 1.5 kg mixed eating apples and pears
- 100 g quality cranberry sauce
- optional: 1 tablespoon sherry brandy, Vin Santo, whisky, rum
- 1 clementine
- 50 g unsalted butter cold
- 100 g plain flour
- 50 g golden caster sugar
- 50 g flaked almonds or unsalted festive nuts
- 1 mince pie 60g
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F (gas mark 4).
- Peel, core, and chop the apples and pears into chunks.
- In a saucepan, cook the fruit with cranberry sauce, optional booze, and clementine zest and juice for about 10 minutes, until softened.
- For the crumble topping, rub cold butter into flour and salt until it resembles breadcrumbs, then mix in sugar, nuts, and a crumbled mince pie.
- Place the fruit mixture in a baking dish and sprinkle over the crumble topping.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the topping is golden and bubbling.
- Serve warm with custard, ice cream, or brandy butter.
- This cozy dessert is easy to make and brings festive flavors to the table!
Nutrition Facts:
| Nutrition | Value |
|---|---|
| Calories | 287 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 10 g |
| Sugar | 35.7 g |
| Fat | 10.5 g |
| Protein | 3.7 g |
| Fibre | 4.3 g |
Variations to Customize Your Dish!
- Tropical Twist: Replace the clementine with orange zest and juice, and add a handful of diced pineapple to the fruit mix for a tropical spin. Swap the almonds for chopped macadamia nuts for a beachy flavor.
- Spiced Pear and Apple Crumble: Add a teaspoon of ground cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg to the fruit mixture to intensify the holiday flavors. You could also add a touch of ginger for an extra layer of warmth.
- Berrylicious Crumble: Add a handful of frozen mixed berries (like raspberries or blackberries) to the apple and pear mixture for a burst of tartness and color.
- Maple and Pecan Crumble: Use maple syrup instead of sugar in the crumble topping and swap the almonds for pecans. The maple syrup will add a warm, caramel-like sweetness to the dish.
- Crumble with a Chocolate Twist: Add a handful of chopped dark chocolate or chocolate chips to the crumble topping. This will add richness and a slight bitterness that contrasts beautifully with the sweetness of the fruit.
- Vegan Version: Replace the butter with a plant-based butter substitute and use dairy-free ice cream or coconut milk for serving. You could also use coconut sugar instead of caster sugar for a deeper, caramel-like flavor.
- Cranberry-Orange Crumble: Boost the holiday vibe by adding orange zest and juice along with the cranberry sauce. You could even sprinkle a bit of orange sugar on top of the crumble before baking for an extra citrusy touch.
- Autumn Spice Crumble: Add a combination of ground ginger, allspice, and cinnamon to the fruit mixture and crumble topping. This variation brings more of an autumn vibe with extra layers of spice.
- Nectarine and Apricot Crumble: Swap out the apples and pears for sliced nectarines or apricots for a stone fruit version of this dessert. The juicy fruits pair wonderfully with the crumble topping.
- Nut-Free Option: Skip the almonds or nuts in the topping, and add rolled oats instead for a crunchy, hearty texture. You can also include some shredded coconut for a different kind of bite.
These variations can give your crumble a personal touch and help tailor it to your taste preferences!