Crumble topping recipe

Try adding chopped nuts such as almonds or hazelnuts to your topping to give it an extra crunch. A pinch of cinnamon or mixed spiced is also delicious and pairs very well if you have an apple filling. If you're nut-free, you can also add mixed seeds for extra bite, pumpkin and sunflower are great options.

Yes, just follow step one and then store the crumble topping in an airtight bag or container for up to one day in the fridge. 

If you're pressed for time, you can make a deconstructed crumble and then assemble it in minutes when you have family over using our stewed apples recipe. 

You can freeze leftover crumble topping in an airtight bag or container for up to three months. It’s easiest to defrost before scattering over a fresh crumble filling. Alternatively, you can freeze a whole prepared crumble and cook from frozen but you’ll need to increase the cooking time. 

Another option is to scatter the leftover crumble topping on a baking tray and bake for 10-15 minutes until crisp and golden. Scatter over yogurt and fruit for an indulgent breakfast, you can add a little to your morning porridge for some added crunch or simply serve with a scoop of ice cream for a quick dessert.

We also like scattering the crumble topping over the buttercream of iced cupcakes to add some crunch. This is especially good with our apple cupcakes.

Yes, your butter should be cold but cut into small cubes, approximately 1 - 2cm big. This will make it easier to rub the butter into the flour and create a breadcrumb or ground almond texture. It’s important that the butter is cold so that it doesn’t melt and become greasy. 

The technique of making crumble is similar to how to make breadcrumbs, as you use your fingertips to lightly crumb the ingredients for that perfectly crunchy topping. 

Self-raising flour is just plain flour with a chemical raising agent added. For a crumble topping you are not looking for any rise and you are not incorporating air, therefore plain flour is perfect. However, the recipe will still work with self-raising flour. You can also use spelt flour if you’d like a nutty flavour. Spelt is a really versatile ingredient and you can make spelt pancakes as a healthier alternative to classic pancakes.