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The dessert, Chic bistro

Apple pear crumble

This apple pear crumble is a bistro style dessert for 6, with soft fruit under a crisp buttery topping scattered with almonds. It takes 20 minutes of active work and can be fully made in the morning for the evening, you just reheat it before serving. It's very easy to make, costs about €1.10 per person, and the key is keeping the butter very cold when you rub it into the topping.

I'll make you an apple pear crumble, soft fruit under a buttery, crisp crust, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Apple pear crumble
For
6 people
Work
20 min
Total time
1 h
Prep
Prepared the same day
Difficulty
Very easy
Cost per person
€1.10
Calories per person
470 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach

Under a golden, crisp topping scattered with flaked almonds, apples and pears soften slowly with a touch of cinnamon. The apples hold their shape while the pears turn soft and juicy, and that contrast between the crunchy top and the tender fruit is what makes this simple dessert work.

It's the fall and winter dessert that ends a family dinner or a casual gathering with friends without stealing the spotlight from the main course. It works just as well after a Sunday roast as after a cheese fondue, and kids ask for seconds just as often as adults do.

The schedule

What happens when, so you can be with your guests instead of in the kitchen.

  1. The day before Nothing to do
  2. The same day 4 steps, 40 min
  3. Before the guests arrive Nothing to do
  4. When it's time to serve 1 step, 10 min

In the morning, prep the fruit, rub together the topping, assemble the crumble and bake it for 40 minutes, then set it aside until evening. Just before serving, reheat it for a few minutes in the oven with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. Nothing needs to happen the night before or right as your guests arrive, which frees your hands for the rest of the meal.

The ingredients

6 people

Fruits and vegetables

  • Apples 4
  • Pears 3

Pantry

  • Flouroften in the pantry 180 g
  • Brown sugaroften in the pantry 120 g
  • Cinnamonoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Flaked almonds 30 g

Dairy

  • Butter 130 g
  • Vanilla ice cream 6

Allergens Gluten, Lactose

The recipe, moment by moment

The same dayDuring the day, whenever you get a moment.

  1. Peel the apples and pears, cut them into pieces and place them in a baking dish with a little brown sugar and cinnamon.

    Mix the two fruits together, the apples hold their shape while the pears bring softness.

  2. Rub the flour, cold diced butter and brown sugar together with your fingertips until you get large crumbs.

    Don't overwork the dough, large crumbs give a better crisp texture.

  3. Scatter the crumble topping over the fruit without pressing it down, then add the flaked almonds.

    Leave the topping uneven, the higher bits brown better.

  4. Bake at 180°C until the top is golden brown and the fruit is bubbling. 40 min

    Place a baking sheet underneath, the fruit juice can bubble over.

When it's time to serveThe final touches, right in front of your guests.

  1. Warm it through for a few minutes before serving, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. 10 min

    Served warm, the contrast with the ice cream is just right.

Our tips to get it right

  • Cut the apples and pears into even sized pieces so they cook at the same rate, otherwise some will stay firm and others turn mushy.
  • If your fruit is very juicy, stir a tablespoon of flour into the mix before adding the topping, it soaks up the extra liquid.
  • For an even crisper top, run the crumble under the broiler for two minutes at the end of baking, watching closely so it doesn't burn.

The variations

  • Swap some of the apples for slightly firm pears if you want more softness, or flip the ratio if you prefer more texture.
  • For a walnut version, replace the flaked almonds with chopped walnuts for a deeper, more rustic flavor.
  • For kids, serve without the ice cream and add a drizzle of salted caramel on top instead, it always goes over well.

What to serve it with

  • Scoop of vanilla ice cream
  • Warm custard sauce
  • Coffee or tea after the meal

Storage

The baked crumble keeps for 2 to 3 days in the fridge in a covered dish. It freezes well once baked, just thaw and reheat in the oven. Always reheat at a low temperature so the top turns crisp again without drying out the fruit.

Questions about this recipe

Can you swap the pears for other fruit?

Yes, you can replace the pears with berries or pitted prunes for a different flavor. Keep the apples, since they give the dish structure, and the mix of textures is what really matters.

How do you avoid a soggy crumble?

Don't pack the topping down onto the fruit, and set the dish on a baking sheet so any juice that bubbles over doesn't pool underneath. If your fruit is very juicy, stir in a tablespoon of flour before baking.

Can you assemble the crumble without baking it ahead of time?

Yes, you can prep the fruit and the topping separately in the morning, then assemble and bake right before serving. Just plan for a full 40 minute bake instead of a quick reheat.

Do kids actually like this crumble?

Yes, it's a simple, sweet dessert that kids almost always enjoy, especially with vanilla ice cream on the side. You can cut back on the cinnamon slightly if your kids prefer a milder flavor.

Can an apple pear crumble be made ahead?

Yes, during the day. The recipe needs 20 min of work in total, split up like this, the same day, 4 steps, when it's time to serve, 1 step.

How long does it take to make an apple pear crumble?

Allow 1 h in total, including resting and cooking time, of which 20 min is actual work. The recipe is rated "very easy".

How many calories are in an apple pear crumble?

About 470 kcal per person, for a recipe meant for 6 people. The calories are calculated by Kiloach, your kilo coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does an apple pear crumble cost?

About €1.10 per person, that's €6.60 for 6 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten, lactose. Remember to ask your guests about their allergies before putting your menu together.

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