Crumble topping (crumb topping) for desserts

Crumble topping is a sweet, crunchy, buttery mix which makes a perfect topping for fruit crumble and can be prepared in minutes.

In its simplest form it is made using only three ingredients, flour, butter and sugar. This basic recipe can be varied by using a different types of flour or sugar or you could use margarine instead of butter. You can also add other ingredients such as oats, seeds or chopped nuts.

This basic crumble recipe isn't only for crumble pudding. It can also be used to make crumble cake bars such as date and oat slices, cranberry and apple crumble bars and apricot crumble bars.

You can also use it as a topping for a tart such as this fruit tart with oat crumble topping.

The quantities in this fruit crumble mix recipe is sufficient for a topping for a crumble pudding for around six servings.

Ingredients

• 160 grams flour - use plain flour (all purpose flour), either white flour, wholemeal flour or a mixture of the two.
• 80 grams butter - use chilled butter straight from the fridge. Use a plant based margarine if you wish to make a vegan crumble topping.
• 80 grams sugar - use a type of sugar with large crystals such as granulated sugar or Demerara sugar. Caster sugar is too fine for this recipe.

To prepare

Measure the flour and butter into a bowl. Cut the butter into small pieces an rub into the flour by hand. Alternatively you can do this using a food processor or a pastry blender.

Add the sugar and mix.

Chill the crumble mix until you are ready to use it.

Bake according to your recipe.

Variations

You can mix any of the following with the basic crumble mix before using in your recipe.

• Rolled oats.
• Seeds such as pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds.
• Chopped nuts such as walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts or almonds.
• Ground spices such as cinnamon, mixed spice or pumpkin spice.

To store

• Crumble topping can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for a couple of days.
• It can also be frozen. Defrost at room temperature.

Recipes using crumble mix