Oaty blackberry crumble

This delicious blackberry crumble is the perfect way to celebrate the flavours of early Autumn, using freshly foraged blackberries. With a crunchy oat topping and sweet, juicy fruit beneath, it's a comforting dessert that's simple to make and pairs wonderfully with custard, clotted cream, or ice cream.

Ingredients

For the Filling:

·      500g foraged blackberries (washed and drained)

·      50g caster sugar

·      1 tbsp plain flour (optional, if your blackberries are very juicy)

·      1 tsp lemon juice (optional, to balance the sweetness)

For the Crumble Topping:

·      125g plain flour

·      100g unsalted butter (cold, cut into small cubes)

·      75g demerara sugar or light brown sugar

·      75g rolled oats

·      A pinch of salt

Method

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C (fan 160°C)/Gas Mark 4.

   
   

2. Prepare the Filling:

   • Place the blackberries into a medium baking dish.

   • Sprinkle the caster sugar over the blackberries. If the blackberries are very juicy, add the 1 tbsp of flour to absorb excess liquid. A squeeze of lemon juice can also be added to balance the sweetness.

   • Gently toss everything to combine and set aside.

     
     

3. Make the Crumble Topping:

   • In a mixing bowl, rub the cold butter into the plain flour using your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.

   • Stir in the demerara or light brown sugar, oats, and a pinch of salt until well combined.

     
     

4. Assemble the Crumble:

   • Spread the crumble topping evenly over the blackberry mixture, covering all the fruit.

     
     

5. Bake:

   • Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the blackberry juices are bubbling up around the edges.

     
     

6. Serve:

   • Allow the crumble to cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.

   • Serve warm with custard, clotted cream, or vanilla ice cream.

Serve this comforting blackberry crumble warm from the oven, topped with a dollop of custard or ice cream. It’s a simple yet satisfying dessert that perfectly captures the flavours of foraged blackberries and homemade goodness. Enjoy!