Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means that Buzzy Kitchen earns commission from purchases made – at absolutely no extra cost to you. Thank you so much for supporting Buzzy Kitchen!
The humble crumble is a traditional dessert in the UK, Ireland, and several other Commonwealth countries. Usually served during autumn or winter, it consists of a fruity base with a crumbly (hence the name) topping and is usually served up with something like custard, double cream, or ice cream. I actually had an apple and rhubarb crumble with evaporated milk just last night! That’s just one of the many delicious crumble dessert ideas you’ll find in this post.
Shall we get right to it?
120 Crumble Dessert Ideas
World War II (1940s) essentially sky-rocketed this dessert to great heights. With strict rationing of food, particularly ingredients necessary to make pastry, people needed to find an alternative to fruit-based pies to serve up for ‘afters.’ This is where the humble British crumble provided the perfect substitution.
Adults were rationed to one egg per week. Flour and butter were rationed, so pastry was out of the question. At times, powdered egg would be available, but sugar was rationed to 8oz. Alongside 2oz of butter, adults were allowed 4oz of margarine. Those ingredients, plus fruits that the government encouraged people to grow in their gardens, could be combined to create a tasty, cost-effective, family dessert.
It just goes to show the marvels humans can create under the absolute worst circumstances. It’s quite inspiring.
Apple Crumble Ideas UK
Apple crumble is one of the traditional, original crumbles, with apple crumble and custard voted as one of the best British desserts in a poll by Jack and Beyond, with 9.5% of votes. Sticky toffee pudding came in at a close second, with 9.3% of the votes.
Just in case you were wondering, spotted dick held the least votes with only 0.2% of all votes. My personal favourite dessert, egg custard tarts, only made up 0.7% of all votes. I’ll eat more to compensate…
- Apple and Custard Crumble by Lizzie Kamenetzky / THF
- Caramel Apple Crumble by Olive Magazine
- Apple Crumble with Star Anise by Tony Singh / BBC Food
- Biscoff Apple Crumble by The Baking Explorer
- Toffee Apple Crumble by Olive Magazine
- Apple, Pear, and Peanut Butter Crumble by Riverford Organic Farmers
- Berry, Apple, and Port Crumble by Delicious AU
- Apple and Pear Crumble by Tesco Real Food
- Apple and Mincemeat Crumble by Effortless Foodie
- Deconstructed Maple Apple Crumble by Kate Doran / GBC
- Pineapple and Apple Crumble by Fabulous Farm Living / Yummly
- Boozy Apple Crumble by Olive Magazine
- Apple, Orange, and Apricot Crumble by Riverford Organic Farmers
- Spiced Apple Crumble by The Baking Explorer
- Damson and Apple Crumble by All That I’m Eating
- Berry and Apple Crumble by Tesco Real Food
- Apple and Pumpkin Crumble by Nigella Lawson
- Easy Cinnamon Apple Crumble by Effortless Foodie
- Apple, Brown Butter, and Frangelico Crumble by Delicious AU
- Apple Crumble with Cardamon Custard by The Marks Family / BBC Food
Rhubarb Crumble Recipes
Next to apple, rhubarb crumble is one of the most popular types of the dessert – and it’s the one I eat the most! There’s a little patch of rhubarb growing in my garden, so I cut it down and cook it up every now and then. It’s utterly delicious in a crumble, with custard.
You could use any kind of fruit you like in your crumble, and you’ll find more fruity crumble dessert ideas as you read through this list. Use whatever you’ve got to hand and get creative. Throw in spices or other flavourings – whatever you like. If you don’t try, you’ll never create the next big thing.
- Rhubarb, Vanilla, and Ginger Crumble with Custard by Phil Vickery / BBC Food
- Elderflower and Rhubarb Crumble by All That I’m Eating
- Rhubarb Crumble by Nigella Lawson
- Spiced Rhubarb Crumble by Roopa Gulati / BBC Food
- Rhubarb and Apple Flapjack Crumble by Delicious Magazine
- Rhubarb and Hazelnut Shortbread Crumble by All That I’m Eating
- Almond, Rhubarb, and Ginger Crumble by Delia Smith
- Rhubarb Crumble Pie by Good to Know
- Orange and Rhubarb Crumble by Riverford Organic Farmers
- Rhubarb and Ginger Crumble by Effortless Foodie
- Strawberry and Rhubarb Crumble by Apply to Face
- Rhubarb and Gooseberry Crumble by What the Redhead Said
- Rhubarb and Apple Crumble by Where is My Spoon
- Strawberry, Apple, and Rhubarb Crumble by Delicious AU
- Rhubarb and Ginger Oat Crumble by Rukmini Iyer / THF
Nutty Crumble Dessert Ideas
One great ingredient to get creative with, when it comes to crumble desserts, is nuts. There are so many different kinds, all with their own unique flavours and textures. My favourite is walnuts, which goes great with apples. Pecan nuts are a great addition to rhubarb and plum crumbles, in my opinion.
Just a few of the nuts you’ll find in this list of nutty crumble ideas include walnuts, pecan nuts, hazelnuts, almonds, peanuts, and more. Apple works well with pretty much any kind of nut, but I’d definitely recommend cashews, pine nuts, pistachios, or whatever your favourite type of nut is. You’re going to be eating the dessert, right?
- Apple, Beetroot, and Walnut Crumble by Tess Ward / GBC
- Pimm’s and Berry Crumble with Macadamia and Cream by Delicious AU
- Plum and Pecan Crumble by Nigella Lawson
- Roasted Apricots with Rosemary and Hazelnut Crumble by Rukmini Iyer / THF
- Apple, Pecan, and Maple Syrup Crumble by Delicious AU
- Fruit and Nut Crumble with Whiskey Custard by Alex Greene / BBC Food
- Apple and Pecan Crumble by Delia Smith
- Pumpkin Pie with Pecan Crumble by Jamie Oliver
- Apple and Walnut Crumble by Nigella Lawson
- Apple and Blueberry Crumble with Almond and Peanut Topping by Delicious AU
Gooseberry Crumble Ideas
Believe it or not, gooseberries aren’t called as such because of how well they taste with goose – although some definitely argue the two make a great combination. The French word for redcurrant is ‘grosielle,’ and the Middle English/Old Normal version was ‘grosier’ or ‘groses’.
That might not make sense if you only know about green gooseberries, but once you’ve learned that they come in all shades of the rainbow, it makes slightly more sense. Missouri gooseberries are green to start off with, but soon turn into a purple-red shade. Red gooseberries do look similar to large red currants.
- Gooseberry Crumble by Greedy Gourmet
- Ginger and Gooseberry Crumble by Natvia
- Gooseberry, Coconut, and Apple Crumble by Run Eat Repeat
- Gooseberry-Cream Crumble by Nigella Lawson
- Gluten-Free Strawberry Gooseberry Crumble by From the Larder
- Gooseberry and Ginger Crumble by Silver Surfers
- Blackberry and Gooseberry Crumble by Boxted Berries
- Gooseberry, Lemon, and Macadamia Nut Crumbles by Delicious Magazine
- Apple and Gooseberry Crumble by Jam and Clotted Cream
- Gooseberry and Elderflower Crumble by Nigella Lawson
Plum Crumble Dessert Ideas
There are so many different types, colours, and sizes of plums that you’re bound to find one that matches your dessert colour theme… if you have one. As far as fruity desserts go, plums are super nutritious, packed full of vitamins C and K, cancer-preventing antioxidants, dietary fibre, and potassium, amongst others.
Damson plums are quite tart, but Italian plums (which are actually prunes) have an added spice-factor along with extra sweetness. If you’re in the market for juicy plums (I’m trying so hard not to giggle), Stanley plums are the ones to choose. I’m now moving away from the subject of plums. Cough.
- Plum Hazelnut Crumble Tart by Ocado
- Mary Berry’s Plum Crumble by Good to Know
- Spiced Apple and Plum Nut Crumble with Orange and Ginger Ice Cream by Rahul / GBBO
- Berry and Plum Flapjack Crumble by Good Housekeeping
- Plum and Cardamon Crumble Tart by Ocado
- Quince and Plum Crumble by Olive Magazine
- Spiced Plum and Apple Crumble by Effortless Foodie
- Plum and Amaretto Crumble by The Gluten Free Blogger
- Ruby-Red Plum and Amaretti Crumble by Nigella Lawson
- Sloe Gin and Plum Crumble by Olive Magazine
Cherry Crumble Recipes UK
Just as with our previous batch of crumble dessert ideas, there are several cherry types, each with their own unique flavour palette, colour, taste, and texture. Merchant, Merton glory, and Stella cherries are sweet; Montmorency and morello cherries are sour. Early rivers cherries are also tangy and sour, but with a sweetness that compliments it.
I personally recommend opting for your favourite cherries. You can’t go wrong with that. If they’re sour and you want sweet, add more sugar or sweet ingredients. It really is as simple as that.
- Cherry Crumble Cake by Kitchen Sanctuary
- Apple and Cherry Crumble by Riverford Organic Farmers
- Cherry, Oat, and Almond Crumble by Heather Thomas and Alina Tierney / THF
- Chocolate and Sour Cherry Crumble by Delia Smith
- Cherry and Almond Crumble by Nigella Lawson
Pear Crumble Ideas for Dessert
The topping is the part that makes or breaks the whole dessert. No pressure, but it better be good! So, let’s dive into the key points of creating the perfect crumble topping, shall we? First things first, you need to get your measurements right. It’s all about finding that delicate balance between flour, butter, sugar, and oats (if you’re feeling adventurous). Too much of one ingredient, and it could end up too dry or too soggy. Trust me, you don’t want either of those scenarios.
Now, let’s talk about the texture. The ideal crumble topping should have a nice mixture of chunky and sandy bits. It needs to be crisp and golden on top but still maintain that lovely crumbly texture when you dig your spoon in. So, make sure to mix your ingredients with a light touch, so you don’t end up with a dense and heavy topping.
- Pear Crumble by Good to Know
- Pear and Raspberry Frangipane Crumble by Tesco Real Food
- Spiced Pear and Pecan Crumble with Caramel Sauce by Ocado
- Pear and Coconut Crumble with Double-Thick Cream by Delicious AU
- Fig and Pear Crumble with Meringue Topping by Veggie Desserts
- Pear and Raspberry Crumble by GBBO
- Blackberry and Pear Crumble by James Martin / BBC Food
- Pear and Nutty Berry Oat Crumble by Tesco Real Food
- Apple, Pear, and Blackberry Amaretti Crumble by Ocado
- Pear, Ginger, and Golden Syrup Crumble by Delicious AU
- Apple, Pear, and Ginger Crumble by Dr Rupy Aujla / BBC Food
- Coconut and Almond Pear Crumble by Amelia Freer / THF
- Pear and Apple Crumble with Caramel Crème Fraiche by Matt Tebbutt / BBC Food
- Pear, Blackberry, and Cardamon Crumble by Rukmini Iyer / THF
- Scottish Pear and Ginger Crumble by Tinned Tomatoes
Peach Crumble Dessert Recipes
Use cold butter and cut it into small cubes before incorporating it into the flour and sugar mixture. This will ensure that the butter is evenly distributed, creating those delightful pockets of buttery goodness throughout the crumble.
Get creative with your toppings, too! Add a handful of chopped nuts, a sprinkle of cinnamon, or even a dash of vanilla extract for an extra pop of flavour. After all, why settle for ordinary when you can elevate your crumble to extraordinary?
- Peach, Ginger, and Almond Crumble by Rukmini Iyer / THF
- Peach Crumble by Bake Play Smile
- Maple and Peach Pan Crumble by Delicious AU
- Canned Peach Crumble by My Gorgeous Recipes
- Peach and Cherry Crumble (Gluten-Free) by Easy Peasy Foodie
Fruity Crumble Ideas
Crumbles quickly became popular due to their simplicity and versatility, using soft fruits like apples, pears, rhubarb, and plums. However, the love for crumbles didn’t stop there. British chefs got creative and started using berries too.
Peel and chop your chosen fruits into bite-sized pieces and place them in a mixing bowl. Add a squeeze of lemon juice to prevent the fruit from browning and sprinkle on some sugar or honey to sweeten things up. If you’re feeling fancy, you can even mix in some spices like cinnamon or nutmeg for a warm, comforting flavour.
- Summer Fruit Crumble by Tesco Real Food
- Blueberry and Lemon Curd Crumble by Delicious AU
- Apricot Crumble by Bake Play Smile
- Nectarine, Mango, and Raspberry Crumble by Delicious AU
- Damson Crumble with Hazelnut and Khorasan Topping by GBC Kitchen
- Peach and Raspberry Crumble by Tesco Real Food
- Blackberry and Apple Crumble by Effortless Foodie
- Peach, Hazelnut, and Raisin Crumble by Delicious Magazine
- Apricot and Almond Crumble by Justin Pattison / BBC Food
- Slow Cooker Blackberry Crumble by Baking Queen74
- Apple and Pumpkin Crumble by Veggie Desserts
- Raspberry and Blueberry Crumble by Delia Smith
- Pear and Banana Granola Crumble by Delicious Magazine
- Strawberry, Rhubarb, and Gooseberry Crumble by My Gorgeous Recipes
- Simple Strawberry Crumble by Effortless Foodie
- Roasted Pineapple and Almond Crumble by Tesco Real Food
- Autumn Almond Crumble by Waitrose
- Cranberry and Clementine Crumble by All That I’m Eating
- Pineapple and Coconut Crumble by Delicious AU
- Jumbleberry Crumble by Nigella Lawson
Gluten-Free Crumble Dessert Recipes
Don’t worry, my gluten-free friends; I’ve got you covered, too. Here you’ll find five of the tastiest-sounding non-gluttonous crumble dessert ideas I’ve ever heard of, to be quite honest with you.
The best thing about crumble desserts is their simplicity and ease. Once you have your perfectly assembled crumble with the luscious fruit filling and the irresistible crumble topping, it’s time to let the magic happen in the oven. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and pop your crumble in for about 30 minutes. You won’t believe the smells that float around your house. It’s like dessert heaven. Candles just don’t capture the fragrance.
- Dairy-Free and Gluten-Free Apple Crumble by Tesco Real Food
- Gluten-Free Apple and Blackberry Crumble by The Gluten Free Blogger
- Fruity Quinoa Crumble by Tesco Real Food
- Gluten-Free Rhubarb Crumble by Wendy Rowe / THF
- Gluten-Free Cherry and Pistachio Crumble by Victoria Glass / GBC
Vegan Crumble Ideas
I’ve got you covered too, my vegan and plant-based friends. I personally think you’re going to love these vegan crumble ideas, all different, all unique, and all delicious. You don’t need to miss out just because you live on a restricted diet – and thankfully, these days, you don’t have to.
As the warm aroma of the baking crumble fills your kitchen, you’ll start to get excited and eager for that moment when it’s finally done. After half an hour, take a peek inside the oven. You’ll see the fruit juices bubbling up from underneath the golden, crispy crumble topping. That’s when you know it’s ready!
- Microwave Blackberry Crumble Mug Cake by Tinned Tomatoes
- Forest Fruit Crumble by Tesco Real Food
- Rhubarb and Orange Coconut Crumble by Aldi UK
- Vegan Plum Crumble with Oats by Tinned Tomatoes
- Apple Berry Crumble by Rachel Ama / THF
Festive Crumble Dessert Ideas
Crumbles make great family desserts for big events, such as Christmas Day and Boxing Day. You can make a big one before serving it up and letting people pick their own accompaniment, such as custard, cream, ice cream, etc.
All these crumble dessert ideas are festively themed and perfect for the Christmas period. Better than that, you can throw them together quickly before popping them in the oven and forgetting about them for half an hour or so. If it’s a last-minute dessert you need, crumbles the winner in my opinion.
- Christmas Apple and Mincemeat Crumble by Annie Rigg / BBC Food
- Mulled Wine Crumble by Simon Jenkins / GBC
- Mincemeat Crumble by Good to Know
- Christmas Crumble by Olive Magazine
- Christmas Pudding Crumble by Tesco Real Food
Chocolate Crumble Ideas
I’d never heard of chocolate crumble until I started researching this blog post, but now I think I might be a little obsessed with the idea. It’s not all chocolate, either; you’ll find fruity treats, boozy treats, and even a gluten-free treat! There is literally a crumble for every occasion, every diet, and every mood. And colour. And theme. I mean, I could probably go on for a while.
Don’t rush into digging your spoon into the hot crumble when you take it out of the oven. You should allow time for the dessert to rest for a few minutes after you take it out of the oven. This will give the flavours a chance to settle and the crumble to set a bit. Trust me, the wait will be worth it.
- Red Wine, Quince, and White Chocolate Crumble by Delicious AU
- Chocolate Crumble by Tesco Real Food
- Banana, Peanut, and Chocolate Crumble by Delicious AU
- Plum, Vanilla, and White Chocolate Crumble by Good Housekeeping
- Ruby Pear, White Chocolate, and Macadamia Nut Crumble by Delicious AU
- Pear, Chocolate, and Ginger Crumble by Fab Food 4 All
- Apricot, White Chocolate, and Cardamon Crumble by Delicious AU
- Spiced Pear and Chocolate Crumble by Tesco Real Food
- Gluten-Free Pear and Chocolate Crumble by The Gluten Free Blogger
- Blackberry, Pear, and White Chocolate Crumble by Delicious AU
Crumble Dessert Ideas: Others
Traditionally, crumbles feature soft fruits like apples, pears, rhubarb, or plums. However, adventurous chefs have also explored some pretty fascinating flavour combinations, like Caribbean flavours, festive flavours, and more. If you’re feeling fancy, there’s even a recipe for a crumble cheesecake that really pushes the boundaries of what crumble actually is.
When it’s time to serve up your masterpiece, scoop generous portions of the warm crumble onto plates or into bowls. And don’t forget the finishing touch – a dollop of creamy vanilla ice cream, a pour of double cream, or a drizzle of custard. The contrast of the hot crumble against cool, creamy accompaniments is pure bliss. Trust me.
- No-Bake Apple Crumble Cheesecake by The Baking Explorer
- Caramel Apple Crumble Pie by Jane’s Patisserie / Yummly
- Gooseberry, Pear, and Elderflower Crumble by Riverford Organic Farmers
- Quince and Apple Crumble by All That I’m Eating
- Caribbean Crumble with Lime-Crusted Coconut Ice Cream by Nancy / GBBO
- Mango Crumble by My Gorgeous Recipes
- Nectarine Crumble by Olive Magazine
- Slow Cooker Gingerbread Apple Pie Crumble by Dishing Out Health
- Strawberry, Mint, and Elderflower Crumble by All That I’m Eating
- Apple and Blueberry Bread and Butter Crumble by Delicious AU
Who doesn’t love a warm, comforting British crumble dessert? With its crisp and textured crumb topping, paired with a delicious layer of stewed fruit, it’s the epitome of comfort food. Next time you indulge in a warm and delicious crumble, remember its humble roots during wartime rationing. Talk about turning limitations into something truly mouth-watering!
You might also like: