Sweet, juicy berries meet a buttery, shortbread crust in this warm blueberry crumble recipe.
Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and you’ve got yourself a little slice of heaven.
It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing dessert you’ll want to make again and again!
And luckily, you can use fresh or frozen fruit. That means you can whip it up any time of year.
Why You’ll Love This Blueberry Crumble
Irresistible Fruity Taste: The combination of sweet blueberries and a buttery crumble creates a delightful contrast that makes each bite unforgettable.
Smells Like Home Cooking: As this bakes, your home will be filled with incredible aromas. It’s like mom’s cooking come home.
Customizable Topping: Crumble doesn’t traditionally have oats or nuts (that’s crisps), but you can always add them if you like.
Ingredients
- Blueberries: Bursting with sweet-tart flavor, they make up the bulk of the filling.
- Cornstarch: The secret ingredient that thickens the blueberry filling, creating a luscious, jammy texture.
- Lemon Juice & Zest: A bright, citrusy kick that enhances the natural flavor of the blueberries. The zest adds an extra layer of lemony goodness.
- Vanilla Extract: A subtle, warm note that complements the blueberries and adds depth to the filling.
- All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of the crumble topping, providing structure and a tender, buttery texture.
- Granulated Sugar: Brings sweetness and depth to the crumble topping and filling.
- Salt: A pinch of salt balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor profile of the crumble.
- Unsalted Butter: The rich, creamy base that binds the crumble topping together and creates a golden, crispy crust.
How to Make Blueberry Crumble
Whether you’re craving a comforting treat on a cozy night in or need a crowd-pleasing dessert for your next gathering, this blueberry crumble hits all the right notes.
The warm, gooey blueberry filling nestled beneath a crisp, buttery topping creates a delightful contrast of textures that’ll have you reaching for another helping.
Here’s how to make it:
1. PREP. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-inch square baking dish or an 8×8 pan.
2. MIX TOPPING: Whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the butter until coarse crumbs form. Chill.
3. MIX FILLING: In a large bowl, combine the blueberries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, zest, vanilla, and salt.
4. ASSEMBLE. Pour the blueberry mixture into the dish. Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the filling.
5. BAKE. Bake for 35-40 minutes until golden and bubbling.
6. SERVE. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Tips For the Best Blueberry Crumble
I love how this dessert straddles the line between rustic and elegant.
It’s fancy enough for a dinner party but also perfect for a cozy night in with your favorite Netflix show.
And let’s be real, who doesn’t love a dessert that’s equally delicious for breakfast the next day? (I won’t tell if you don’t!)
Check out these tips, then let’s get to it:
- Berry choice. Opt for fresh blueberries if they are in season and available. They’ll provide a better texture and flavor compared to frozen ones.
- Using frozen fruit. Don’t thaw them; just add them right in. I suggest adding an extra teaspoon of cornstarch, and you might need to bake it a little longer.
- Sugar balance. Be mindful of the sugar content in the filling. If your berries are super sweet, you might need to cut it down.
- Crumble texture. It should be like shortbread – crumble but will hold if you squeeze it in your hand.
- Even layering. Ensure that the blueberry filling is evenly distributed in the baking dish and that the crumble topping covers the filling completely. This will help prevent uneven baking and ensure a consistent texture.
- Cooling time. Let the crumble cool for at least 10 minutes before serving. This will allow the filling to set slightly and make it easier to serve.
- Serving suggestions: For an extra indulgent treat, serve the blueberry crumble warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. For a lighter option, serve it with a dollop of yogurt or a sprinkle of powdered sugar.
How to Store
There’s a lot to love about this dessert. That it stores well is just one of those things!
To Store: Wrap the cooled blueberry crumble tightly in plastic and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
To Freeze: Make the dish, but do not bake. Instead, wrap in plastic and foil and freeze for 2-3 months. Bake from frozen with a few extra minutes.
Freeze the cooled, baked dish wrapped in plastic and foil for 1-2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
To Reheat: Warm individual portions in the microwave for 30-60 seconds or reheat the entire crumble in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes. Cover with foil to prevent over-browning.
More Fruity Desserts I Know You’ll Love
Strawberry Crumble
Blueberry Yum Yum
Strawberry Cheesecake Tacos
Caramel Apple Taquitos