Golden Strawberry Crumble

This Strawberry Crumble is a delightful classic, starring fresh, juicy strawberries beneath a perfectly golden, buttery oat and brown sugar topping. It’s an effortlessly beautiful and incredibly easy dessert to whip up, making the most of those luscious berries when they’re at their peak season!

Introduction to Strawberry Crumble: A Timeless Summer Treat

There’s something inherently comforting and utterly delightful about a fruit crumble, especially one made with vibrant, sweet strawberries. This Strawberry Crumble recipe transcends the ordinary, transforming simple, fresh produce into an extraordinary dessert that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a summer gathering, looking for a comforting weeknight treat, or simply craving the taste of seasonal berries, this crumble is your answer. With its bubbling, sweet fruit base and irresistible crunchy oat topping, it promises to be a hit with everyone who tries it. Forget complicated baking; this recipe embraces simplicity without compromising on flavor or texture, celebrating the natural sweetness of strawberries in the most delicious way possible.

Crumbles are beloved for their rustic charm and effortless preparation. Unlike pies, which require meticulous crust work, a crumble comes together with minimal fuss, making it an ideal choice for busy bakers or those new to dessert making. The magic lies in the contrast: a warm, tender fruit filling that’s bright and juicy, perfectly complemented by a crisp, buttery, and crumbly topping. This particular strawberry rendition highlights the best of summer, bringing sunshine to your table with every spoonful.

Why This Strawberry Crumble Will Become Your Favorite

Crumbles and crisps stand out as some of the most approachable yet utterly satisfying desserts you can craft using fresh fruit. This Easy Strawberry Crumble serves as the quintessential example. The moment those radiant, ripe strawberries begin gracing the produce aisles, my mind immediately turns to this recipe. It’s more than just a dessert; it’s a celebration of seasonal abundance, simple to execute, yet elegant and festive enough for any special meal.

• Effortlessly Simple: Forget intricate techniques or lengthy ingredient lists. This recipe is designed for ease, allowing even novice bakers to achieve spectacular results with minimal effort and time. It’s truly a “dump and bake” kind of dessert, perfect for spontaneous baking.
• Bursting with Fresh Flavor: The star of this show is undoubtedly the strawberry layer, featuring generous chunks of fruit enveloped in a luscious, sweet sauce. Each bite is a vibrant burst of strawberry goodness, perfectly balanced by a hint of lemon and vanilla, creating a depth of flavor that is both refreshing and comforting.
• Irresistible Crunchy Topping: The crumble topping is a masterpiece of textures and flavors. Made with wholesome old-fashioned oats and rich brown sugar, it bakes up incredibly sweet, delightfully crunchy, and oh-so-tasty. This golden-brown, textural topping provides the perfect contrasting bite to the soft, warm fruit filling, making every mouthful an experience.
• Versatile & Adaptable: While strawberries shine brilliantly in this recipe, its versatility is a huge plus. Feel free to incorporate a mix of your favorite berries or even other seasonal fruits to create your unique twist. We’ll also provide handy notes for gluten-free and vegan versions further down, ensuring everyone can enjoy this delicious treat!
• Perfect for Any Occasion: From casual backyard BBQs and family dinners to elegant dinner parties and holiday feasts, this strawberry crumble always feels right. It’s a humble yet impressive dessert that caters to all tastes and is guaranteed to be a true crowd-pleaser, earning you rave reviews.

Prepare to make this delightful dessert a cherished staple in your kitchen, gracing your table proudly all summer long and beyond!

The Simple Ingredients You’ll Need

Crafting this incredible Strawberry Crumble requires a handful of basic ingredients, most of which you likely already have in your pantry. The beauty lies in the quality of the fresh produce, so always opt for the ripest, most fragrant strawberries you can find. Here’s a closer look at the key components and why they’re essential for your homemade strawberry crumble:

For the Juicy Strawberry Layer:

• Fresh or Frozen Strawberries: The undisputed star ingredient! Fresh, perfectly ripe strawberries are ideal for their vibrant flavor, natural sweetness, and tender texture. If fresh berries are out of season or unavailable, high-quality frozen strawberries work wonderfully. Just remember to thaw them completely and carefully drain any excess liquid before mixing to prevent a watery fruit filling. This recipe is also fantastic with a colorful mix of berries, such as blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries, alongside or instead of strawberries.
• Cornstarch: This acts as our crucial thickening agent for the fruit sauce. It ensures your strawberry layer is beautifully rich, glossy, and syrupy, preventing it from becoming runny during baking. It creates a perfect consistency that clings wonderfully to the fruit, making each spoonful a delight.
• Granulated Sugar: Enhances the natural, sweet notes of the strawberries and significantly aids in creating that desired luscious, syrupy consistency. The amount can be adjusted based on the inherent sweetness and ripeness of your chosen berries.
• Lemon Juice: A splash of fresh lemon juice is absolutely crucial! It works wonders by brightening the overall flavor of the strawberries, adding a much-needed hint of tang to perfectly balance the sweetness, and preventing the crumble from tasting one-dimensional or flat. It’s a small addition with a huge impact.
• Pure Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, inviting, and aromatic depth that complements the bright strawberries wonderfully. It rounds out the overall flavor profile of the fruit filling, adding a comforting, familiar essence.

For the Golden Oat Crumble Topping:

• Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats: These form the satisfying foundation of our perfectly textural crumble. They provide a delightful chewiness and a subtle nutty flavor that truly distinguishes a crumble from a crisp. For the best results, avoid instant or quick-cooking oats, as they tend to become mushy during baking.
• All-Purpose Flour: Helps bind all the topping ingredients together, ensuring a consistent, cohesive, and easily crumbly texture. For a gluten-free version, this is the ingredient you’ll swap with almond flour or a certified gluten-free all-purpose blend.
• Packed Brown Sugar: Contributes significantly to the rich, caramel-like sweetness and helps create that desirable golden-brown color and slightly chewy texture in the baked topping. Both light and dark brown sugar will work beautifully, offering slightly different nuances in flavor.
• Baking Powder: A small amount is included to help create a slightly lighter, more tender, and less dense crumble topping, preventing it from feeling like a solid cookie crust.
• Salt: Essential for balancing the sweetness in the topping and enhancing all the other delicious flavors. Skipping the salt can leave your topping tasting somewhat bland, so don’t omit it!
• Unsalted Butter: This is the secret to a truly rich, irresistibly crispy, and perfectly browned crumble topping. Melted and then cooled butter evenly coats the dry ingredients, ensuring a cohesive and utterly delicious texture. For a vegan alternative, cold coconut oil (in its solid form) or a high-quality plant-based butter substitute can be used effectively.

A full, precise list of ingredients with exact measurements for the perfect Strawberry Crumble can be found in the detailed recipe card below, ensuring you have everything you need for this delightful dessert.

How to Make the Perfect Strawberry Crumble: Step-by-Step

Creating this delicious strawberry crumble is a surprisingly straightforward and enjoyable process, broken down into a few simple steps. Follow along with these detailed instructions to achieve a perfectly baked, warm, and comforting dessert every single time.

Prepare Your Baking Dish and Oven:

1. Preheat Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures even baking from the very moment your crumble enters the oven, leading to consistent results.
2. Prepare Dish: Lightly butter a 2-quart baking dish or a 9-inch pie plate. This crucial step prevents the fruit filling from sticking to the dish and adds a subtle, delicate richness to the edges of your fruit layer.

Craft the Irresistible Crumble Topping:

This versatile topping can even be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator for added convenience, making meal prep even easier!

3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, thoroughly combine all the dry ingredients for your crumble topping: old-fashioned oats, all-purpose flour, packed brown sugar, baking powder, and salt. Use a whisk to ensure they are thoroughly mixed and evenly distributed.
4. Melt and Cool Butter: Melt your unsalted butter, then set it aside to cool completely to room temperature. It’s absolutely crucial that the butter isn’t hot when you add it to the dry ingredients, as hot butter can “cook” the flour prematurely and negatively affect the final texture of your topping.
5. Mix Topping: Pour the cooled melted butter into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Using a fork or your fingertips, gently stir and combine the mixture until it resembles coarse, moist crumbs. Be careful not to overmix; you want distinct clumps and varying sizes of crumbs for that characteristic, irresistible crumble texture.

Assemble the Juicy Strawberry Filling:

6. Prepare Strawberries: Begin by thoroughly washing your fresh strawberries under cool running water. Hull them (remove the green leafy tops). Depending on their size, slice small strawberries in half and larger ones into quarters. Aim for relatively uniform pieces to ensure they cook evenly.
7. Coat Strawberries: In a large mixing bowl, combine the prepared strawberries with cornstarch, granulated sugar, fresh lemon juice, and pure vanilla extract. Gently toss everything together using a spoon or your hands until all the strawberry pieces are evenly coated with the mixture. The cornstarch will effectively help thicken the natural juices as the crumble bakes, creating a rich, glossy, and perfectly set sauce.
8. Fill Baking Dish: Carefully spoon the coated strawberry mixture into your prepared, buttered baking dish, spreading it out evenly across the bottom.

Bake to Golden Perfection:

9. Add Topping: Evenly sprinkle the prepared oat crumble topping over the entire strawberry layer in the baking dish. Do not press the topping down; you want it to remain light and airy for optimal crispiness and a classic crumbly texture.
10. Bake the Crumble: Transfer the baking dish to your preheated oven and bake for approximately 30 to 35 minutes. You’ll know it’s perfectly ready when the edges of the fruit filling are visibly bubbling vigorously (indicating the sauce has thickened), and the oat topping has turned a beautiful golden brown and appears wonderfully crispy.
11. Cool and Serve: Once baked, carefully remove the hot crumble from the oven and place it on a wire rack to cool slightly for about 10-15 minutes. This crucial resting period allows the fruit sauce to set properly and prevents you from burning your tongue while enjoying! Serve warm.

Tips for a Flawless Strawberry Crumble

Achieving the perfect strawberry crumble is simple, but a few key tips and tricks can elevate your dessert from good to absolutely unforgettable. Pay attention to these details for a consistently delicious result:

• Choose Ripe, Fragrant Strawberries: The foundation of an amazing crumble is the fruit itself. Select strawberries that are deep red, plump, firm, and most importantly, incredibly fragrant. Their natural sweetness and juicy texture will shine through. If using frozen berries, ensure they are thawed completely and thoroughly drained of excess liquid to prevent a watery filling.
• Don’t Overmix the Topping: When combining the melted butter with the dry ingredients for the crumble, mix just until coarse, distinct crumbs form. Overmixing can lead to gluten development, resulting in a tougher, less crumbly, and more cookie-like topping. You want individual pieces of varying sizes for maximum textural appeal.
• Ensure Butter is Cooled: As emphasized in the instructions, always ensure your melted butter has cooled to room temperature before incorporating it into the dry topping ingredients. Hot butter can prematurely cook the flour and oats, which can negatively impact the final texture of your delicious topping.
• Adjust Sugar to Taste: The natural sweetness of strawberries can vary significantly depending on the variety and ripeness. It’s a good idea to taste a strawberry or two before adding sugar to the fruit mixture. If they are exceptionally sweet, you might reduce the granulated sugar slightly. Conversely, if they are tart, a touch more sugar might be needed to achieve perfect balance.
• Uniform Fruit Size for Even Cooking: Take a moment to cut your strawberries into relatively uniform pieces (halves for smaller berries, quarters for larger ones). This attention to detail ensures that all the fruit cooks evenly, preventing some pieces from becoming overly mushy while others are still too firm.
• The Importance of Lemon Juice: Don’t skip the lemon juice! It’s not just for flavor; it plays a vital role in balancing the sweetness of the fruit and brightens the overall taste profile of the fruit filling. It’s a small addition that makes a surprisingly big difference in depth of flavor.
• Bake Until Visibly Bubbly: Resist the temptation to pull the crumble out of the oven too early. The fruit filling needs to be actively bubbling around the edges of the dish. This bubbling is your visual cue that the cornstarch has properly activated and thickened the fruit sauce, ensuring it’s perfectly set and not runny. A beautifully golden-brown and crisp topping is another key indicator of doneness.
• Allow for Resting Time Before Serving: While it’s incredibly tempting to dive into your warm, fragrant crumble immediately after it comes out of the oven, allowing it to rest for 10-15 minutes on a wire rack is crucial. This short cooling period allows the hot fruit filling to set up properly, resulting in a cleaner scoop and a less runny, more enjoyable dessert experience.

Serving Suggestions: What to Pair with Your Crumble

A warm, freshly baked strawberry crumble is undeniably wonderful on its own, but it truly shines and becomes an unforgettable dessert when paired with the right accompaniments. The contrast of temperatures and textures enhances its already delightful flavors. Here are some of my favorite ways to serve this irresistible treat, elevating your crumble experience:

• Classic Whipped Cream: This is, without a doubt, my absolute favorite way to enjoy this crumble! Light, airy, and delicately creamy whipped cream provides a sublime contrast to the warm, rich fruit and the satisfying crunch of the topping. The delightful coolness of the cream against the warm crumble is pure bliss, creating a harmonious blend of sensations.
• Vanilla Ice Cream: For a more traditional, universally loved, and undeniably decadent pairing, a generous scoop of good quality vanilla bean ice cream is an absolute must. As the cold ice cream slowly melts into the warm, bubbling crumble, it creates an exquisite, creamy sauce that is simply divine and intensely comforting.
• A Dusting of Powdered Sugar: For a simpler, yet undeniably elegant presentation, a light dusting of powdered sugar adds a delicate touch of sweetness and a beautiful, snowy finish without ever overshadowing the crumble’s natural charm and vibrant flavors.
• Crème Fraîche or Sour Cream: For those who appreciate a slightly more sophisticated and tangy counterpoint, a dollop of rich crème fraîche or even a spoonful of full-fat sour cream can beautifully cut through the sweetness of the berries. This addition introduces a lovely complexity and a subtle tang that enriches the overall flavor profile.
• Warm Custard or Crème Anglaise: To truly elevate your strawberry crumble to a gourmet level, especially for a special occasion, consider serving it with a warm, velvety pourable custard or a classic crème anglaise. This offers another luxurious layer of creamy richness that perfectly complements the fruit and crumble.
• Plain Greek Yogurt: For a slightly lighter option that still delivers a delightful creamy texture and a hint of tang, a generous spoonful of plain Greek yogurt can be a surprisingly delicious and refreshing choice, adding a healthy touch without sacrificing flavor.

No matter how you choose to serve it, remember that this homemade strawberry crumble is best savored warm, ideally straight from the oven, or gently reheated to bring back its comforting warmth and irresistible aromas.

Storing and Reheating Your Delicious Leftovers

While this strawberry crumble is undeniably at its peak when enjoyed warm and fresh from the oven, any leftovers can be stored and reheated to be savored at a later time. Proper storage ensures your crumble stays delicious and retains as much of its original texture and flavor as possible.

• Refrigerator Storage: First and foremost, allow any leftover crumble to cool completely to room temperature before storing. Once cooled, transfer the crumble to an airtight container with a tightly fitting lid. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This crucial step helps maintain its freshness, prevents it from drying out, and ensures it doesn’t absorb any unwanted odors from other items in your refrigerator.
• Freezer Storage (with Considerations): While technically possible, freezing a baked crumble can sometimes alter the delicate texture of both the fruit filling and the topping, often making the topping less crisp upon reheating. If you absolutely must freeze it, wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap first, then follow with a layer of aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. It can be stored for up to 1 month. To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before following the reheating instructions below.
• Reheating in the Microwave (Quick Option): For a quick and convenient reheat of individual servings, place a portion of the crumble in a microwave-safe dish. Heat on medium power for 30-60 seconds, or until it is warmed through to your desired temperature. Be aware that the microwave tends to soften the topping, so it may lose some of its original crispness.
• Reheating in the Oven (Best for Crispness): To restore some of that delightful crispness to the topping, reheating in the oven is hands down the best method. Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Place the leftover crumble (you can leave it uncovered if you want to focus on re-crisping the topping, or lightly cover it with foil if you want to prevent excessive browning) in an oven-safe dish. Heat for 15-25 minutes, or until the crumble is thoroughly warmed through and the topping has regained its desired crispness.

Delightful Recipe Variations for Every Diet and Taste

One of the best and most beloved aspects of this strawberry crumble recipe is its incredible versatility. It’s wonderfully easy to adapt to different dietary needs, or simply to experiment with various flavor combinations based on your preferences or what’s in season. Here are some fantastic and inspiring variations to consider for your next bake:

Frequently Asked Questions About Strawberry Crumble

Here are clear and concise answers to some common questions you might have about making, storing, and customizing this delicious strawberry crumble, ensuring your baking experience is as smooth and successful as possible:

Explore More Irresistible Fruit Desserts

If you’re a devoted fan of delightful fruit-filled treats, then you’re in for a treat with these other incredibly irresistible recipes. They are all perfect for showcasing seasonal produce at its best or simply satisfying your sweet tooth any time of year with fresh, vibrant flavors.

If you enjoyed this recipe and decide to make it, please share your experience in the comments below! We love hearing from you, and don’t forget to give it a star rating if you loved it! Your feedback helps other bakers too.

Easy Strawberry Crumble Recipe Card

Easy Strawberry Crumble

Author: Anna

This Strawberry Crumble combines fresh, juicy strawberries with a perfectly balanced oat and brown sugar topping. It’s a beautiful, incredibly easy dessert to make, especially when berries are in season! Serve warm with whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or simply on its own for a truly delicious treat.

Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars based on 8 votes.

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Prep Time: 15 mins

Cook Time: 30 mins

Total Time: 45 mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings: 5 servings

Calories: 431 kcal per serving

Ingredients

For the strawberry layer:

• 2 lbs fresh strawberries
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For the topping:

• ¾ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• ¾ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup packed brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350° F (175°C).
2. Butter a 2-quart or 9-inch baking dish.
3. Wash strawberries and hull. Slice small strawberries in half, large ones in quarters.
4. Place berries in a bowl. Add cornstarch, lemon juice, sugar, and vanilla. Stir gently to coat all the strawberries.
5. Pour the berry mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.
6. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the dry ingredients for the topping: oats, flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt.
7. Pour the cooled melted butter into the dry topping mixture. Stir with a fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
8. Evenly sprinkle the crumble topping over the strawberry layer in the baking dish.
9. Bake the crumble for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the fruit filling is bubbling around the edges and the topping is beautifully golden brown and crispy.
10. Serve warm, allowing it to cool for 10-15 minutes before serving for the best texture.

Notes

• Please note that nutritional values can vary depending on the specific products used. The information provided below is an estimate. Always use a calorie counter you are familiar with for precise values.
• Gluten-Free: Use almond flour in place of all-purpose flour. Ensure your oats are certified gluten-free if necessary.
• Vegan: Substitute unsalted butter with an equal amount of cold coconut oil or a plant-based butter alternative.
• Fruit Variations: Feel free to add other berries (blueberries, blackberries, raspberries) or other fruits like diced apples, pears, or even rhubarb for different flavor profiles.

Nutrition Facts (Estimate per serving)

• Calories: 431 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 71g
• Protein: 5g
• Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 9g
• Trans Fat: 1g
• Cholesterol: 36mg
• Sodium: 128mg
• Potassium: 420mg
• Fiber: 5g
• Sugar: 41g
• Vitamin A: 442IU
• Vitamin C: 108mg
• Calcium: 78mg
• Iron: 2mg

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