Blackberry-Mango Crumble is a delightful dessert that combines the sweet-tart flavors of blackberries with the tropical and juicy goodness of mangoes. This recipe creates a luscious and comforting dessert that is perfect for any season. The crispy, buttery crumble topping perfectly complements the vibrant fruit filling. In this detailed explanation, we will explore the unique combination of blackberries and mangoes, offer a glimpse into the history of crumbles, and provide step-by-step instructions along with a list of ingredients to help you create your own delicious Blackberry-Mango Crumble.
The history of fruit crumbles, also known as fruit crisps in some regions, can be traced back to traditional British and American cuisine. Crumbles evolved from earlier fruit-based desserts, such as cobblers and pies. The term “crumble” likely originates from the texture of the topping, which is characterized by its crumbly and crispy nature.
Fruit crumbles gained popularity during World War II when rationing led to the scarcity of ingredients like pastry crusts for traditional pies. To adapt to these shortages, cooks started making simpler desserts with a streusel-like topping that required fewer ingredients.
Blackberry-Mango Crumble is a more contemporary twist on this classic dessert. The combination of blackberries, which are often found in British and American crumbles, with mangoes, which are native to South Asia, creates a delightful fusion of flavors and culinary traditions.
INGREDIENTS
For the Fruit Filling:
- 3 cups fresh blackberries (or frozen, thawed)
- 2 ripe mangoes, peeled, pitted, and diced
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional)
For the Crumble Topping:
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), cold and cubed
For Serving (Optional):
- Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream
INSTRUCTIONS
Prepare the Fruit Filling:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9-inch baking dish or a similar-sized ovenproof dish.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the fresh blackberries, diced mangoes, granulated sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and lemon zest (if using). Gently toss the mixture until the fruit is well coated.
- Transfer the fruit filling to the greased baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
Prepare the Crumble Topping:
- In a separate mixing bowl, combine the old-fashioned rolled oats, all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, packed brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and salt.
- Add the cold, cubed unsalted butter to the dry mixture. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work the butter into the dry ingredients until it resembles coarse crumbs. You should have a crumbly topping.
Add the Crumble Topping:
- Sprinkle the prepared crumble topping evenly over the fruit filling in the baking dish, covering it completely.
Bake the Crumble:
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes or until the crumble topping is golden brown, and the fruit filling is bubbling.
Serve the Blackberry-Mango Crumble:
- Remove the crumble from the oven and allow it to cool slightly before serving.
- Serve the Blackberry-Mango Crumble warm, ideally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a delightful contrast of flavors and temperatures.
Blackberry-Mango Crumble is a delightful dessert that combines the natural sweetness of ripe mangoes with the bold flavors of fresh blackberries. This fusion of tropical and berry goodness in a crumbly, comforting topping pays tribute to the adaptability and innovation that are the hallmarks of classic desserts like crumbles. Enjoy this dessert as a comforting treat any time of the year.
