If you’re looking for a dessert that’s both simple to make and bursting with summer’s freshest flavors, you’re in the right place. This strawberry crisp combines juicy, sweet strawberries with a crispy, buttery oat topping, creating a perfect harmony of textures and tastes. Whether you’re a fan of traditional fruit desserts or just looking to try something new, this recipe is sure to become a favorite. It’s versatile enough for a casual family dinner or a special gathering, and best of all, it showcases the season’s ripest strawberries in the most delicious way. So grab some fresh strawberries and let’s get baking!
Ingredients
Strawberry Filling:
- Fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced if large
- Cornstarch or cornflour
- White sugar
- Water
- Vanilla extract
Crumble Topping:
- Rolled oats
- All-purpose flour
- Brown sugar, loosely packed
- Baking powder
- Ground cinnamon
- Salt
- Unsalted butter, melted
How To Make Strawberry Crumble
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Start by setting your oven to 350°F (180°C). This ensures the oven is at the right temperature by the time you are ready to bake the crumble.
Step 2: Prepare the Strawberry Filling
Hull and Slice the Strawberries: Take your fresh strawberries, hull them (removing the green tops), and slice them into smaller pieces if they are large. The strawberries should be cut so they are roughly the same size for even cooking.
Add Cornstarch: Place the sliced strawberries in a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle the cornstarch (or cornflour) over the strawberries. Toss the strawberries gently so they are evenly coated. The cornstarch will help thicken the juice released by the strawberries as they cook.
Add Sugar, Water, and Vanilla: Pour in the white sugar, water, and vanilla extract. Stir gently to combine. The sugar helps sweeten the berries, the water creates a bit of syrupy liquid, and the vanilla enhances the overall flavor.
Step 3: Make the Crumble Topping
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the rolled oats, all-purpose flour, brown sugar, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt. Stir the ingredients together to ensure they are well-mixed.
Add Melted Butter: Pour the melted unsalted butter into the dry ingredients. Use a fork or your fingers to mix everything together until it becomes crumbly. Some larger chunks of butter will remain, which helps form a crunchy texture when baked.
Step 4: Assemble the Crumble
Layer the Strawberry Mixture: Take your prepared strawberry filling and transfer it into a greased 9×9 or similar-sized baking dish. Make sure the strawberries are evenly spread in the dish.
Add the Crumble Topping: Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the strawberry mixture. Use your fingers to create some larger crumb-like clusters for a nice texture variation once baked.
Step 5: Bake
Bake the Crumble: Place the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown, and the strawberry juices are bubbling around the edges. The filling should thicken, and the topping should become crisp and lightly browned.
Check for Doneness: If the topping isn’t golden brown enough, you can bake it for a few more minutes. The filling should be bubbling to indicate it’s fully cooked.
Step 6: Cool and Serve
Allow to Cool Slightly: Once the crumble is done, remove it from the oven. Let it cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. This will help the fruit filling thicken further.
Serve Warm: Serve the crumble warm, either on its own or with a side of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or custard for extra indulgence. You can also top it with fresh mint or a sprinkle of powdered sugar for garnish.
Top Tips
- Choose Ripe Strawberries: For the best taste, use fresh, ripe strawberries. Their quality will greatly affect the overall flavor of your crumble.
- Coat with Cornstarch: Thoroughly mix the strawberries with cornstarch to thicken their juices and create a rich sauce. Ground almonds can be used as an alternative if you prefer.
- Adjust Sugar Levels: Taste your strawberries before adding sugar. Depending on their natural sweetness, use between 1/3 to 1/2 cup of sugar.
- Prepare the Crumble Topping: Combine flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter. This will give your topping a nice, crispy texture.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake the crumble until the topping is a golden brown and the strawberry juices are bubbling around the edges. This usually takes about 40-50 minutes.
- Create a Rustic Texture: For a more rustic texture, reduce the flour in the topping and add more old-fashioned oats. You can also mix in some chopped nuts for added crunch.
- Serve with Toppings: Enjoy your warm strawberry crumble with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or a drizzle of custard for a delightful summer treat.
Strawberry Crumble
Ingredients
Strawberry Filling
- 1 kg 2 lbs fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced if large
- 2-3 tablespoons cornstarch or cornflour
- 1/3 to 1/2 cup white sugar depending on sweetness of berries
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Crumble Topping
- 3/4 cup rolled oats
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup brown sugar loosely packed
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
- 90 g 6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
Preheat the Oven:
- Heat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
Prepare the Strawberry Filling:
- Place the sliced strawberries in a large bowl.
- Sprinkle them with cornstarch and toss to ensure they're evenly coated.
- Add the sugar, water, and vanilla extract. Mix thoroughly.
Make the Crumble Topping:
- In a separate bowl, mix together the oats, flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
- Pour in the melted butter and use a fork to blend until the mixture becomes crumbly with some larger chunks.
Assemble the Crumble:
- Transfer the strawberry mixture to a baking dish.
- Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the strawberries, using your fingers to create some larger crumbs.
Bake:
- Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the strawberry juices are bubbling around the edges.
- Allow the crumble to cool for 5-10 minutes before serving warm. Pair with ice cream, whipped cream, or custard for added deliciousness.