Rhubarb & Apple Crumble Recipe
Introduction
This Rhubarb & Apple Crumble is a comforting dessert that perfectly balances tart fruit with a buttery, crumbly topping. Easy to prepare and full of flavor, it makes an ideal treat for any occasion.

Ingredients
- 450g rhubarb, cut into 3cm slices
- 350g apples (Bramley or Granny Smith), peeled and cut into 3cm chunks
- 1 vanilla pod, split open or 1 tsp vanilla paste or extract
- 120g golden caster sugar
- ice cream or custard, to serve
- 200g plain flour
- 1 tsp ground ginger (optional)
- 100g cold salted butter, chopped
- 70g light soft brown sugar
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan) or gas mark 6. In an ovenproof dish, toss the rhubarb, apples, vanilla, and golden caster sugar together. Roast the fruit for 10 minutes.
- Step 2: Meanwhile, mix the plain flour and ground ginger (if using) in a large bowl. Rub in the cold chopped butter with your fingertips until the mixture resembles chunky breadcrumbs. Stir through the light soft brown sugar.
- Step 3: Remove the fruit from the oven and evenly sprinkle the crumble topping over it. Return the dish to the oven and bake for a further 30 to 35 minutes, or until the topping is lightly golden and crisp.
- Step 4: Serve warm with a scoop of ice cream or a generous helping of custard for a delightful finish.
Tips & Variations
- For extra crunch, add 50g of rolled oats or chopped nuts to the crumble topping.
- Use tart apples like Granny Smith or Bramley to balance the sweetness of the crumble.
- Swap the vanilla pod for cinnamon or mixed spice for a different warm flavor.
Storage
Store any leftover crumble in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven at 160°C for about 15 minutes to restore crispness before serving.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make this crumble ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the fruit and crumble topping separately and store them in the fridge. Assemble and bake just before serving for best results.
Can I use frozen rhubarb or apples?
Frozen rhubarb works well, though thaw and drain any excess liquid before baking. Apples are best fresh, but you can use frozen if necessary, just be aware the texture may be softer.
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Rhubarb & Apple Crumble Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A classic Rhubarb & Apple Crumble recipe featuring tart rhubarb and crisp apples baked under a golden, buttery crumble topping with a hint of warming ginger. Perfectly paired with ice cream or custard for a comforting dessert.
Ingredients
Fruit Filling
- 450g rhubarb, cut into 3cm slices
- 350g apples (Bramley or Granny Smith), peeled and cut into 3cm chunks
- 1 vanilla pod, split open or 1 tsp vanilla paste or extract
- 120g golden caster sugar
Crumble Topping
- 200g plain flour
- 1 tsp ground ginger (optional)
- 100g cold salted butter, chopped
- 70g light soft brown sugar
To Serve
- Ice cream or custard
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Heat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan)/gas mark 6 to prepare for roasting the fruit and baking the crumble.
- Prepare the fruit mixture: In an ovenproof dish, toss the rhubarb, apples, split vanilla pod or vanilla extract, and golden caster sugar together until well combined.
- Roast the fruit: Place the fruit mixture in the preheated oven and roast for 10 minutes to soften the fruit slightly and release flavors.
- Make the crumble topping: In a large bowl, mix plain flour and optional ground ginger. Rub the cold salted butter into the flour with your fingertips until the mixture resembles chunky breadcrumbs. Stir in the light soft brown sugar evenly.
- Assemble the crumble: Evenly sprinkle the crumble topping over the roasted fruit mixture in the ovenproof dish.
- Bake the crumble: Return the dish to the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes or until the topping turns lightly golden brown and crisp.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve warm with your choice of ice cream or custard for a delightful dessert experience.
Notes
- You can substitute the apples with other firm apples like Cox or Honeycrisp if preferred.
- Adding ground ginger is optional but adds a lovely warmth to the crumble topping.
- For a dairy-free version, use a vegan butter substitute and serve with dairy-free custard or ice cream.
- The crumble can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator before baking.
- Make sure the butter is cold when rubbing into the flour to achieve a crumbly texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Keywords: Rhubarb crumble, apple crumble, British dessert, easy crumble recipe, autumn dessert, warm dessert, baked fruit dessert

