Printable Recipe: From the Fruited Plain Fruit Crumble Recipe

"From the Fruited Plain" Fruit Crumble

As far as July 4th dessert recipes go, fruit crumbles are very forgiving. You can change out spices and fruits pretty readily and still have a winning dessert at the end of the day. So don't be afraid to tinker with this a bit... after all, what better day to celebrate your culinary independence?

This crumble topping is also wonderful as a topping for pies.

This July 4th dessert recipe serves about 8, and is wonderful warm or cold, with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Ingredients:
1 C. blackberries
1 C. raspberries
1 C. fresh blueberries
1 C. pitted sweet cherries
4 tbsp. sugar

Crumble:
2 C. sifted flour
2 C. oats
1/4 C. finely minced walnuts or almonds
1-1/2 C. brown sugar, packed
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 C. butter, cold and chopped

Instructions: 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Get out two mixing bowls. In one, toss together your berries, cherries and sugar. Let sit until ready to use.

3. In the other bowl, work with your dry ingredients. Cut in the butter (you want a crumbly texture) until well combined. A pastry cutter works well for this, but you can also use a fork.

4. Using a 9x13 baking dish, take 1/2 of the crumble and press it into the pan (greased).

5. Pour the fruit mixture on top and even it out.

6. Finish with another layer of the crumble over top of the fruit. Bake in a 350 degree preheated oven for about 40 minutes (it will be bubbly). Let cool to warm before serving.