Strawberry Crumble

Strawberry crumble is one of my favorite party desserts. Why? Because it is made with very basic ingredients, it takes only a few minutes to prepare and is ready in no time.

I have made this at many of my parties and all of my friends just loved it. They keep asking me for the recipe and I had already shared this with at least 20 of my friends, so I decided to put it on my blog so that others can enjoy this delicious delicacy as well.

And, most importantly, your kitchen will be filled with the aroma as it is baking in a kitchen. I am warning you. But, be patient and enjoy it when it has cooled down for a while.

What is so special about this strawberry crumble recipe?

1. A perfect balance of sweetness, texture, and flavors.
2. Very easy to prepare.
3. A gooey fruit base with buttery, crunchy topping.
4. A crowd-pleasing dessert
5. It can be prepared in minutes, hence a perfect dessert for last-minute gatherings.

How to make a strawberry crumble recipe - overview?

Let us quickly see the steps before we dive into a detailed step-by-step recipe.

Sr. No.	Steps
1.	Prepare strawberry filling.
2.	Make crumble topping.
3.	Assemble, bake and serve.

Strawberry crumble ingredients

Let's have a look at the ingredients that go into the recipe. Be sure to scroll down all the way down to the recipe card for a full ingredient list and detailed instructions.

• Strawberries - This is the main ingredient in our strawberry crumble recipe. To achieve the finest results, use fresh, thoroughly ripped strawberries. If fresh strawberries are not available, you can use frozen strawberries that have been completely thawed.

• Lemon juice - Use freshly squeezed lemon juice rather than bottled one. Freshly squeezed juice will reduce the sweetness of strawberries and brighten it's flavor. You can also add lemon zest or orange if you like.

• Cornstarch - Do not confuse cornstarch with cornmeal. Cornstarch is a white powder used to thicken the strawberry filling. If you're using frozen berries, increase the amount of cornstarch.

• Brown sugar - This gives the filling a deep, caramel flavor. This is required for both, the strawberry filling and the crumble topping.

• All-purpose flour - This is required to make crumble topping. Check substitutes below.

• Rolled oats - This is needed to make crumble topping. This will add a crunchy bite to our topping.

• Butter - Make sure to use cold butter, the same as I did with my crumble toppings for muffins.. If you're using salted butter, skip the salt.

• Cinnamon - Use it to add warm flavor. Adjust according to your preferences.

• Vanilla extract - Just a splash of it. It is entirely optional, but I prefer to use it to enhance the flavors and because of the pleasant aroma of vanilla. Believe me, it will elevate your crumble recipe to the next level.

• Salt - Just a pinch is enough but do not skip it. As I always say, salt enhances the flavor of your dessert.

Any substitute?

• Brown sugar - You can use any kind of sugar that you have in the pantry in place of brown sugar. Use any sweetener that can be used in the same amounts to make it sugar-free.

• Lemon juice - Instead of using lemon juice, use the zest from an orange or lemon.

• All-purpose flour - To prepare a gluten-free version, use gluten-free flour, almond flour, or oat flour, depending on what you have in the pantry.

• Vegan or dairy-free - Use coconut oil or plant-based butter in place of conventional butter.

Tools needed

1. Measuring spoons / cups
2. Weighing scale
3. Mixing bowls
4. Baking pan
5. Spatula
6. Tong (optional)

Strawberry crumble (step-by-step) recipe

Let's take a step-by-step look at the process, including pictures.

Prepare strawberry filling

As always, before starting the recipe, preheat your oven to 350F (180C).

1. Chop your strawberries into 2 pieces or 4 if they are big). See tips.

2. In a large mixing bowl, add chopped strawberries, cornstarch, brown sugar, and lemon juice.

3. Use a rubber spatula, your hands, or tongs to completely coat the strawberries with all the ingredients.

4. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish. Keep it aside while we prepare the topping.

Prepare crumble topping

5. In another mixing bowl, add the remaining ingredients (oats, all-purpose flour, brown sugar, vanilla extract, salt, and cinnamon) except butter.

6. Add cubes of cold butter to the above mixture. Mix in the butter using a fork or your fingers until it resembles coarse crumbs, just like I did while preparing my streusel topping for the muffin.

Bake

7. Evenly distribute the topping over the strawberry filling.

8. Bake at 350F or 180C for 30 to 35 minutes or until the crumble topping is golden and the filling is bubbling.

Serve strawberry crumble

9. Once done, remove from the oven. Let it cool down slightly as it will be extremely hot.

10. Serve immediately.

How to serve?

It tastes great served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, but you can serve it just the way it is. Place a simple glaze or a dollop of whipped cream on top.

Watch me making (video)

https://youtu.be/1OUWu9g9D7I

Storing and freezing instructions for strawberry crumble recipe

Any remaining strawberry crumble can be frozen or refrigerated.

Storing instructions

Keep the leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Before you shut the airtight container's lid, you can wrap it in plastic wrap for extra protection. By doing this, the crumble will be protected from external smells.

Freezing instructions

Freezing food is an excellent way to extend its shelf life. Allow your strawberry crumble to cool fully before wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. This will allow it to freeze for up to two months.

Thawing instructions

When ready to eat, thaw it overnight in the fridge and bake it for 10 to 15 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius), or until the top is crisp again. Serve it right away.

Variations

Berries crumble - Use a combination of berries, such as blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries, in place of the strawberries. I do not, however, advise slicing other berries.

Nutty crumble - To add more crunch, add chopped nuts. Since hazelnuts and walnuts go well with berries, use them.

Secret tips to make the best strawberry crumble

• Coat the strawberries - Cover the strawberries with cornstarch, being sure to cover them completely. When the strawberries are baking, their juice will be released, and the cornstarch will transform that liquid into a delectable sauce.

• Do not chop strawberries into small pieces - Strawberries will cook during baking, so avoid chopping them into tiny bits. You will lose a bite if you chop them into little bits because that will bring everything together. Therefore, depending on the size of the strawberries, I advise halving them or dividing them into four pieces.

• Do not keep coated strawberries for too long - Avoid storing covered strawberries for an extended period of time as this may cause the strawberries to lose water and the filling to go mushy and squishy.

FAQ's

Why is my crumble too soggy? You must have cut the strawberries into tiny pieces or used the frozen strawberries without thawing them. Please see my tips for more details.

Why is the crumble topping now crunchy? If you use too much butter or hot melted butter, your topping may become soggy. For the best result, use cold and cubed butter and mix slowly by hand.

Can I use other fruits? Yes. Instead of strawberries, you can use any other berry or apple.

Do you serve strawberry crumble hot or cold? Usually, it is served hot with a scoop of vanilla ice cream to highlight the various textures, such as gooey strawberry and crunchy topping. It will become soggy as it cools.

Can I use icing sugar instead of granulated sugar? Unfortunately no. Please use any type of sugar, we want our topping to be crunchy.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to drop a comment below and I will be happy to answer them :).

Other dessert recipes

If you like this Strawberry crumble recipe, be sure to check my other recipes.

1. Strawberry tres leches cupcake
2. New York-style cheesecake
3. Eggless tres leches cake recipe
4. Lemon blueberry muffins

Let me know what you think!

Try out this strawberry crumble, and I guarantee you that you will make it again and again. Please share your experience with this dish in the comments section below! I genuinely enjoy hearing from you, and your input is really important to me.

If you post the strawberry crumble recipe to Instagram, do not forget to tag me. Tag @DessertKatta or Hashtag it #DessertKatta

Recipe card