| Crumble | |
| Country: | England |
| Course: | Dessert |
| Main Ingredient: | Stewed fruit, butter, cinnamon, flour, sugar Savoury: meat, vegetables, sauce, cheese |
A crumble (British English) or crisp (American English) is typically a dessert with a crumbly topping consisting of flour, butter, sugar, and sometimes oats, baked over a fruit filling. Apple and rhubarb are two popular varieties. Savoury fillings such as meat, cheese or vegetables may alternatively be used. As a dessert, crumbles are traditionally served with custard, cream, or ice cream.[1]
An apple crumble recipe involving a simple streusel topping appeared in the Canadian Farmer's Magazine in February 1917.[2] British chef and food writer Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall describes crumbles as a "national institution" that became popular in Britain since World War II, the topping being easier to prepare than pastry.[3] Crumbles in varying forms are common in Britain, Ireland, and across the Commonwealth of Nations. While the dish is also found in the US, the most common variant is known as an "apple crisp" in American English.[4] [5]