Tips for how to make crumble topping

The basic ingredients for a classic crumble topping are flour, sugar and butter. However, you can easily customise this with extras or make dietary substitutions.

Using cold cubes of butter is the key to a perfectly crunchy texture as this helps the flour mixture to break up and form small crumbly nuggets.
Run these into the flour using your finger tips until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Or, use a food processor to pulse these into rough breadcrumbs. Stir in the sugar and a pinch of salt if you wish.
This basic crumble topping can then be customised by adding in extra ingredients such as oats, chopped or flaked nuts, seeds, dried fruits, ginger or anything else you fancy. You can also add extra flavour with spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, ginger and nutmeg.
Sprinkle the crumble mixture on top of your chosen fruits and bake as directed, using one of our recipes.
To make the crumble topping vegan, you can substitute dairy-free spread or melted coconut oil for the butter.

Best crumble recipes

Apple crumble

Check out this really easy old-school apple crumble. This classic dessert is a firm family favourite and you won't go wrong with this foolproof recipe.

Rhubarb crumble

A classic crumble is the easiest of puddings to make and perfect for making use of seasonal fruit. This winter crumble is filled with sweet, tangy rhubarb and warming spices.

Apple and rhubarb crumble

Two versions of crumble combine to make the ultimate fruity pud, best served with lashings of custard.

A bowl of crumble and ice cream next to a baking dish of crumble and stack of bowls

Apple and blackberry crumble

Check out our crunchy crumble recipe with apples and blackberries. This classic pudding recipe is an easy autumnal dessert the whole family will love, ready in an hour.

Plum crumble

Simple, yes. But delicious, too! Cover your cinnamon-spiced plums with a topping made from porridge oats, hazelnuts, butter and flour, then serve with clotted cream.

Pear crumble

Celebrate autumnal pears in this comforting crumble with a thick, crunchy top. Custard or ice cream are non-negotiable!

Blackberry crumble

Make the most of your autumnal foraged goods with this seasonal classic. Juicy, tart blackberries are the perfect foil for the rich, sweet topping in this comforting crumble

Cherry crumble

Crumble approaches nigh-on dessert perfection. Chill leftovers and stir through maple syrup and vanilla-spiked yogurt for a superior breakfast.

Cherry and almond crumble in a baking dish

Apple crumble cake

Check out this warming fruit pudding, which mixes the comfort of an apple crumble with a fluffy sponge. Serve this sheet cake with custard or cream for added indulgence.

A dark blue plate topped with a slice of sponge pudding covered in custard

Gooseberry crumble

This recipe for mini gooseberry crumbles with cinnamon is really easy to follow but they make great individual puds. Make a batch and freeze some for when you need a sweet hit.

Check out our vibrant and crunchy crumble recipe with succulent peaches and tart raspberries. Smacking the peaches for this crumble starts to release some of the sweet juices and provides you with some rough, raggedy chunks for extra texture.

Nectarine crumble

Nectarine is the star ingredient in this summery crumble packed with almonds and amaretto.

Blackberry crumble pie

Check out Edd Kimber's black and blue crumble pie, with a blackberry and blueberry filling and a cardamom crumble topping. Here are more of Edd Kimber's epic baking recipes to try.

Crumble with oat topping

Porridge oats and soft brown sugar add extra crunch to this family favourite, that is best served with rich vanilla ice cream.

Toffee apple crumble

Think classic, comforting crumble, only taken up a few notches with crunchy hazelnut and a coating of rich caramel over the soft chunks of apple

Rhubarb and ginger crumble

This recipe takes a classic rhubarb crumble and gives it a twist with the addition of ginger and star anise to the fruit and a crunchy brown sugar topping. Serve with cream.

Vegan apple crumble

All you need to do is swap butter for melted coconut oil to make a totally vegan apple crumble. This one is flavoured with warming cinnamon.

Plum and sloe gin crumble

Our plum crumble with sloe gin is a twist on a classic and much-loved British dessert. Pair with a scoop of good-quality vanilla ice cream to really take advantage of the cinnamon and mixed spice notes.

Healthy apple crumble

This recipe tops soft cinnamon apples with a refined sugar-free granola for a healthier take on the classic dessert. The Granola topping also makes a brilliant breakfast!

Quince and plum crumble

Serve six with this unbeatable homemade crumble featuring plums and quince. These mouth-watering crumbles are cooked slowly for nearly four hours. Serve with lashings of vanilla-laced custard.