Hot Desserts Recipes - Pear Blackberry Crumble Recipe

Ingredients

• 450g/1lb blackberries

• 450g/1lb pears (peeled and halved lengthways)

• Juice of 1 lemon

• 225g/8oz caster sugar

• 1 teaspoon mixed spice

• 100g/4oz butter

• 225g/8oz plain flour

• 75g/3oz ground almonds

Serves 6

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Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas mark 6.

2. Fill the sink with cold water. Put the blackberries in a colander and lower carefully into the water. Toss the fruit to wash thoroughly. Lift out the colander and leave the blackberries to drain.

3. Halve the pears again and core, then slice each quarter into 2 or 3 pieces. Put the pieces in a bowl, add the lemon juice and toss well.

4. Add 100g/4oz of the sugar to the sliced pears, along with the mixed spice, then add in the blackberries and toss thoroughly to coat.

5. Grease a shallow dish with a little butter, then carefully tip the fruit into the dish in an even layer. Put the butter, flour, almonds and the remaining sugar in to a blender or food processor and pulse until the mixture begins to look like breadcrumbs.

6. Tip in to a bowl and bring parts of it together with your hands to make lumps. Spoon the crumble topping evenly over the fruit, then bake for 35 to 45 minutes until the fruit is tender and the crumble is golden and bubbling. Serve with cream or ice-cream.