Crumble

For other uses, see Crumble (disambiguation).

Crumble
Apple crumble
CourseDessert
Place of originEngland
Main ingredientsStewed fruit, butter, cinnamon, flour, sugar
Savoury: meat, vegetables, sauce, cheese

A crumble (British English) or crisp (American English) is typically a dessert with a crumbly topping consisting of flour, butter, sugar, and sometimes oats, baked over a fruit filling. Apple and rhubarb are two popular varieties. Savoury fillings such as meat, cheese or vegetables may alternatively be used. As a dessert, crumbles are traditionally served with custard, cream, or ice cream.[1]

An apple crumble recipe involving a simple streusel topping appeared in the Canadian Farmer's Magazine in February 1917.[2] British chef and food writer Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall describes crumbles as a "national institution" that became popular in Britain since World War II, the topping being easier to prepare than pastry.[3] Crumbles in varying forms are common in Britain, Ireland, and across the Commonwealth of Nations. While the dish is also found in the US, the most common variant is known as an "apple crisp" in American English.[4][5]

  1. ^ "The Food Timeline: History Notes-Puddings. Mary Berry Apple Crumble". 21 January 2024. Archived from the original on 21 January 2024. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  2. ^ "The Month's Recipes – Apple Crumble". Farmer's Magazine. Toronto: MacLean Publishing Co. Ltd.: 53 February 1917. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  3. ^ Fearnley-Whittingstall, Hugh (18 October 2008). "Simply the best". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 1 October 2020. Retrieved 14 March 2010.
  4. ^ Ezinearticles.com Jason McDonald, December 29, 2008; CanadianLiving, July 6, 2015
  5. ^ Grunes, Barbara J. (1991). Puddings and Pies: traditional desserts for a new generation. Camden: Yankee Books. pp. 136–137. ISBN 0-89909-329-9. OCLC 1259668500.