Mixed Berry Crumble

Ingredients

Filling:

• 4 cups mixed berries (such as strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries)

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar

• 2 tablespoons cornstarch

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Topping:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar

• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces

Directions

1.  Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x9-inch baking dish or a similar-sized dish.

2.  Prepare the Filling:

• In a large bowl, combine the mixed berries, granulated sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Gently toss to mix.

• Pour the berry mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.

3.  Prepare the Topping:

• In a medium bowl, mix the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.

• Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. The butter should be well distributed, but there should still be small chunks visible.

4.  Assemble the Crumble:

• Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the berry mixture, covering it completely.

5.  Bake:

• Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the berry filling is bubbling around the edges.

6.  Serve:

• Allow the crumble to cool slightly before serving. Serve warm, optionally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

Tips for the Perfect Crumble

• Fruit Selection: Feel free to use fresh or frozen berries. If using frozen, there’s no need to thaw them first.

• Customization: You can substitute or add other fruits like apples, peaches, or cherries.

• Texture: Ensure the butter is cold when you mix it with the dry ingredients for the topping. This helps create the perfect crumbly texture.

• Sweetness: Adjust the amount of sugar in the filling based on the sweetness of the fruit you’re using.