Mixed Berry Crumble Recipe

I love preparing a Mixed Berry Crumble that fills my kitchen with a burst of sweetness. Using strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries with a hint of lemon juice and vanilla, I blend these fruits with a buttery oat topping of rolled oats, light brown sugar and unsalted butter for a dessert that truly captivates.

I’m super excited to share my Mixed Berry Crumble recipe with you today. I first tried this dessert when I was messing around in the kitchen and it quickly turned into one of my favorites.

The recipe calls for 4 cups mixed berries, a bit of 1/3 cup granulated sugar to sweeten things up and just a touch of lemon juice to bring out the natural tartness. I mix in some 2 tablespoons of cornstarch to help everything combine perfectly.

For the crumble topping, I use old fashioned rolled oats with a 1/2 cup light brown sugar, cold diced butter and a sprinkle of ground cinnamon. Trust me when I say, all these ingredients come together in a way that kind of surprises you in a good way every time.

Whether you’re in the mood for a healthier berry cobbler or just a unique twist on a traditional berry crisp, this dessert is a fun choice that is perfect with a bit of ice cream or whipped cream. Enjoy!

Why I Like this Recipe

I love this recipe because it mixes a ton of fresh flavors. The berries make it taste really sweet and tangy, and the lemon juice and vanilla just brighten everything up. I also dig the crunchy crumble topping made with oats and butter; it gives every bite a satisfying crunch, especially when you top it off with a scoop of ice cream. Lastly, it’s simple enough to throw together on a busy day but still feels like a special treat, making it perfect for summer hangouts with friends and family.

Ingredients

• Berries supply fiber vitamins and antioxidants they add tangy natural sweetness
• Oats give fiber and healthy carbs they help keep u full longer
• Flour provides carbohydrates and helps bind ingredients together for the perfect crumble texture
• Sugars add sweetness but must be used judiciously to balance flavor and texture
• Butter gives rich flavor and crisp finish they add decadence to every bite
• Lemon juice brightens up filling with sour taste to balance the dessert
• Vanilla extract gives subtle extra flavor for a warm inviting crumble taste
• Cornstarch thickens the berry filling ensuring a perfect consistency when served

Ingredient Quantities

• 4 cups mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries)
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar for the berry filling
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (if you like extra flavor)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup old fashioned rolled oats
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar for the crumble topping
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and diced
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

How to Make this

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Meanwhile, in a large bowl toss the mixed berries with 1/3 cup granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, 1 tablespoon lemon juice and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract if you want that extra flavor.

2. Pour the berry mixture into a lightly greased baking dish ensuring it’s spread out evenly.

3. In another bowl, mix together 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup old fashioned rolled oats, 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar and 1/4 cup granulated sugar.

4. Add 1/2 cup cold diced unsalted butter to the flour mixture. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to create a crumbly texture, making sure to keep some larger pieces for crunch.

5. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon into your crumble topping.

6. Evenly distribute the crumble topping over the berries in the baking dish.

7. Bake in your preheated oven for about 40 to 45 minutes, or until the topping is crispy and golden and the berry filling is bubbly.

8. Remove from the oven and let it cool just a tad before serving.

9. Enjoy it warm topped with ice cream or whipped cream for that extra delicious touch.

10. Serve up and relish your perfect summer dessert!

Equipment Needed

1. Oven – preheat it to 350°F for the bake.
2. A large mixing bowl – for tossing the berries with sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice and vanilla.
3. A lightly greased baking dish – to evenly spread the berry mixture.
4. A second mixing bowl – for combining flour, rolled oats, sugars, salt and cinnamon.
5. Measuring cups and spoons – to precisely add each ingredient.
6. A pastry cutter or fork – to cut the cold diced butter into the dry mixture, though you can use your fingers too.
7. A spatula or spoon – to spread the crumble topping evenly over the berries.
8. A cooling rack or a plate – to let the dessert cool off before serving.

FAQ

Mixed Berry Crumble Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• Granulated sugar for the berry filling: you can swap it with honey or maple syrup in a 1:1 ratio, but it might change the flavor a bit.
• Cornstarch: try using an equal amount of arrowroot powder for thickening; it works great in most recipes.
• Unsalted butter: if you don’t have butter, coconut oil works ok as a substitute, though it adds a slight coconut flavor.
• Old fashioned rolled oats: if you run out, you can use quick oats, but the texture will be a bit finer in the crumble topping.
• Lemon juice: if you’re out of lemon juice, a splash of lime juice is a good alternative to add a citrus kick.

Pro Tips

1. Let the berries sit in the sugar and lemon juice for a few minutes before you add the topping. This extra time helps the berries release their juices and makes the filling extra yummy.
2. Make sure your butter is super cold when you mix it into the flour and oats. Cold butter creates a better crumble texture that stays crispy instead of turning all mushy.
3. Be careful not to overmix the crumble topping. You wanna keep some bigger bits of butter and oats to give it that nice crunch, so mix it just enough until it’s evenly crumbly, not too smooth.
4. Keep a close eye on it in the last part of baking. If the top starts browning too fast, just loosely cover it with foil to prevent burning while still cooking the filling thoroughly.