Delia Smith Plum Crumble Recipes

THE BEST EVER APPLE CRUMBLE

Steps:

• Begin by preparing the apples. I always find the best way to do this is to cut them first into quarters, then pare off the peel with a potato peeler (or leave it on, whichever you prefer) and slice out the cores. Now cut them into thickish slices and toss them in a bowl with the sugar, cinnamon and ground cloves, then place them in the baking dish. For the crumble all you do is place the butter, sifted flour, cinnamon and sugar in a processor and give it a whiz till it resembles crumbs. Next add the almonds and pulse, until they are roughly chopped and chunky. If you don't have a food processor, in a large bowl, rub the butter into the sifted flour until it resembles crumbs, then stir in the cinnamon, sugar and almonds, which should be roughly chopped by hand. Now spoon the crumble mixture all over the apples, spreading it right up to the edges of the dish, and, using the flat of your hands, press it down quite firmly all over; the more tightly it is packed together the crisper it will be. Then finish off by lightly running a fork all over the surface. Bake the crumble on the centre shelf of the oven for 40-45 minutes, until the topping is well browned and crisp. Leave it to rest for 10 minutes before serving with well-chilled crème fraîche or clotted cream. Nutrition 561kcals/54.3g carbohydrate/35.0g sugars/37.0g fat/18.5g saturated fat/0.4g salt per serving

PLUM CRUMBLE

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Put the plums into the base of a shallow gratin dish about 28cm long. Mix together the sugar, orange zest, cinnamon and flour and sprinkle over the plums. Trickle over 2 tbsp water.
• Put all the crumble ingredients into a food processor, and using the pulse button, whizz until the mixture just starts to clump together. Take care not to over process at this stage. Alternatively, rub the butter into the flour using your hands and then stir in the other ingredients.
• Scatter the crumble over the plums and bake in the oven for 30-40 mins until golden brown. Leave for about 15 mins before serving with custard or cream.

GOOSEBERRY CRUMBLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4.Toss the gooseberries with the caster sugar, spread in the bottom of a medium ovenproof baking dish with 2 tbsp water.
• To make the crumble, put the flour, butter and a big pinch of salt in a bowl. Rub together with your fingertips until you have a rough breadcrumb texture. Mix in the demerera sugar.
• Scatter the crumble topping evenly over the gooseberries. Bake in the oven for 45-50 minutes until top is pale golden and crunchy and the gooseberries bubbling. You can also give the crumble a quick flash under a hot grill to give the top an extra browning if you like.

DAMSON CRUMBLE

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Put the damsons into a pan with the sugar, butter and sloe gin if using (or a splash of water if not) and heat gently until the damsons start to give off their juices. Tip into the base of a large shallow gratin dish (about 25cm long) and stir through the apple slices.
• Put all the crumble ingredients into a food processor with a pinch of salt, and using the pulse button, whizz until the mixture just starts to clump together. Don't whizz for too long or the mixture will stick together too much. Alternatively, rub the butter into the flour using your hands and then stir in the other ingredients.
• Scatter the crumble over the damsons and bake in the oven for 30-40 mins until golden brown. Leave for about 15 mins before serving with custard or cream. Remember to warn everyone about the stones!

STICKY PLUM FLAPJACK BARS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Tip the plums into a bowl. Toss with the spice, 50g of the sugar and a small pinch of salt, then set aside to macerate.
• Gently melt the butter in a saucepan. In a large bowl, mix the oats, flour, walnut pieces and remaining sugar together, making sure there are no lumps of sugar, then stir in the butter and golden syrup until everything is combined into a loose flapjack mixture.
• Grease a square baking tin about 20 x 20cm. Press half the oaty mix over the base of the tin, then tip over the plums and spread to make an even layer. Press the remaining oats over the plums so they are completely covered right to the sides of the tin. Bake for 45-50 mins until dark golden and starting to crisp a little around the edges. Leave to cool completely, then cut into 18 little bars. Will keep in an airtight container for 2 days or can be frozen for up to a month.