English Christmas Crumble

English Christmas Crumble Recipe - Delicious Dessert for the Holidays

Region / culture: England | Preparation time: 15 minutes | Cooking time: 30 minutes | Servings: 6

Introduction

English Christmas Crumble is a traditional holiday dessert that combines the flavors of mincemeat, peaches, and a delicious crumble topping. This sweet and comforting dish is perfect for serving during the festive season.

History

The origins of Christmas crumble can be traced back to England, where it has been enjoyed as a holiday treat for generations. The combination of mincemeat, peaches, and a crumbly topping is a classic British dessert that is often served during the Christmas season.

Ingredients

4 oz (113 g) of flour
2 oz (57 g) of margarine
2 oz (57 g) of ground almonds
2 oz (57 g) of demerara sugar
1 lb (454 g) of mincemeat
1 medium tin of sliced peaches
glace cherries

How to prepare

Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C) or the designated mark.
To make the crumble mixture, sieve the flour into a bowl and rub in the margarine until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
Stir in the ground almonds and sugar.
Place the mincemeat in an ovenproof dish and cover it with the drained sliced peaches.
Set aside 8 peach slices for decoration.
Top the dish with the crumble mixture and bake for 25–30 minutes until the crumble turns golden brown.
Decorate with the reserved peach slices and glace cherries.
Serve hot with custard or cream.

Variations

Try using different fruits in place of the peaches, such as apples, pears, or berries, for a unique twist on this classic dessert.
Add a handful of chopped nuts or oats to the crumble mixture for extra texture and flavor.
For a boozy kick, soak the mincemeat in brandy or rum before assembling the crumble.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Make sure to drain the sliced peaches well before adding them to the dish to prevent the crumble from becoming too soggy.

- For a more decadent twist, try adding a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg to the crumble mixture for extra flavor.

- Serve the Christmas crumble hot with a dollop of custard or cream for a deliciously indulgent treat.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this Christmas crumble hot with a generous dollop of custard or cream for a decadent and indulgent dessert. It pairs well with a cup of hot tea or coffee for a cozy holiday treat.

Cooking Techniques

The key to making a perfect Christmas crumble is to ensure that the crumble topping is golden brown and crispy. Make sure to bake the dish in a preheated oven at the specified temperature for the best results.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you don't have ground almonds, you can use almond flour or finely chopped almonds instead.

- Feel free to use butter instead of margarine for a richer flavor in the crumble topping.

- You can also use a different type of sugar, such as brown sugar or granulated sugar, in place of demerara sugar.

Make Ahead Tips

You can prepare the crumble mixture in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When ready to bake, simply assemble the dish and bake as directed.

Presentation Ideas

For a festive touch, decorate the Christmas crumble with reserved peach slices and glace cherries before serving. You can also dust the top with a sprinkle of powdered sugar for an elegant finish.

Pairing Recommendations

This English Christmas Crumble pairs well with a glass of sweet dessert wine or a hot toddy for a cozy and indulgent holiday treat. It also goes well with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delicious contrast of flavors and textures.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store any leftover Christmas crumble in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply place the dish in a preheated oven at 350°F (177°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Each serving of this English Christmas Crumble contains approximately 350 calories. It is a rich and indulgent dessert that is best enjoyed in moderation.

Carbohydrates

The carbohydrates in this English Christmas Crumble come from the flour, sugar, and fruit used in the recipe. Carbohydrates provide energy to the body and are an essential part of a balanced diet.

Fats

The fats in this dish come from the margarine used in the crumble topping. While fats are high in calories, they are also an important source of energy and help the body absorb vitamins and minerals.

Proteins

There is minimal protein in this Christmas crumble recipe, as the main sources of protein are typically meat-based. However, the ground almonds in the crumble topping do provide a small amount of protein.

Vitamins and minerals

The peaches in this dish are a good source of vitamins A and C, as well as potassium and dietary fiber. These nutrients are important for overall health and well-being.

Alergens

This recipe contains gluten from the flour used in the crumble topping. It may also contain nuts from the ground almonds. Please check for any other allergens based on the specific ingredients used.

Summary

Overall, this English Christmas Crumble is a delicious and festive dessert that is best enjoyed as an occasional treat due to its high calorie and sugar content. It is a comforting and satisfying dish that is perfect for the holiday season.

Summary

English Christmas Crumble is a classic holiday dessert that combines the flavors of mincemeat, peaches, and a crumble topping for a sweet and comforting treat. This indulgent dish is perfect for serving during the festive season and is sure to be a hit with family and friends. Enjoy this delicious dessert with a dollop of custard or cream for a truly decadent experience.

How did I get this recipe?

I vividly recall the moment I first laid eyes on this recipe for English Christmas Crumble. It was a cold winter's day, just a few weeks before Christmas, and I was visiting my dear friend Elizabeth. Elizabeth was a wonderful cook and always seemed to have a new recipe up her sleeve to share with me.

On this particular day, she invited me into her cozy kitchen and handed me a piece of paper with a handwritten recipe on it. The paper was slightly yellowed and stained with ingredients, a sign that it had been well-loved and used many times before. As I read through the ingredients and instructions, I knew that this recipe was something special.

Elizabeth explained to me that the English Christmas Crumble was a traditional dessert that her grandmother used to make for the family every Christmas. It was a simple yet delicious dish made with fresh apples, cranberries, and a crumbly topping of oats, flour, and sugar. The combination of sweet and tart flavors was truly divine, and I couldn't wait to try it out for myself.

I watched intently as Elizabeth showed me how to peel and core the apples, chop them into bite-sized pieces, and mix them with the cranberries and a sprinkle of sugar. She then taught me how to make the crumble topping, rubbing the butter into the flour and oats until it resembled coarse breadcrumbs. The aroma of cinnamon and nutmeg filled the air, and I knew that this dessert would be a hit with my family.

After the crumble was assembled and popped into the oven to bake, Elizabeth and I sat down at her kitchen table with a cup of tea. She shared with me the story of how she learned to make the English Christmas Crumble from her grandmother, who had learned it from her mother before her. The recipe had been passed down through the generations, each cook putting their own twist on it and making it their own.

As we chatted and enjoyed the warm, comforting flavors of the crumble, I couldn't help but think about my own family and the traditions that we shared. I knew that this recipe would become a staple at our Christmas table for years to come, a reminder of the love and memories that we had created together.

After my visit with Elizabeth, I couldn't wait to make the English Christmas Crumble for my own family. I gathered the ingredients and set to work in my own kitchen, following the recipe to a tee and adding a few extra special touches of my own. The scent of baking apples and spices filled the air, and I knew that this dessert would be a hit with my loved ones.

When I served the English Christmas Crumble to my family that evening, their eyes lit up with delight. The warm, crumbly dessert was a perfect ending to our Christmas meal, and I knew that this recipe would be a cherished tradition for years to come. As we sat around the table, sharing laughter and stories, I couldn't help but feel grateful for the gift of friendship and the joy of cooking that had brought us together.

In the years that followed, I continued to make the English Christmas Crumble for my family and friends, sharing the recipe with anyone who asked. Each time I made it, I thought of Elizabeth and the special bond that we shared over a love of good food and warm memories. The recipe had become more than just a dessert – it was a connection to the past and a reminder of the love that we shared with each other.

And so, every Christmas, as I pull out the yellowed piece of paper with the handwritten recipe for English Christmas Crumble, I am reminded of the joy and laughter that comes with sharing a meal with loved ones. The flavors of cinnamon and nutmeg, the tartness of cranberries, and the sweetness of apples will always hold a special place in my heart, a reminder of the traditions and memories that we create together.