Enjoy the Orchard: Pear & Blackberry Crumble
Bring a taste of the orchard to your table with tender pears, juicy blackberries, and a golden crumble topping — a simple, comforting dessert that’s perfect for slow summer evenings.
Ingredients :
700g (or 4 large) ripe pear peeled and cubed
100g golden granulated sugar
250g blackberry
200g plain flour
100g unsalted butter cold, cut into small pieces
85g shelled pistachio roughly chopped
100g demerara sugar
ice cream to serve (optional)
Recipe
step 1
Heat oven to 190C/fan 170C/gas 5. Place the pears in a medium-size pan, add the granulated sugar and cook on a medium heat until the fruit starts to soften and releases its juices, about 10 mins. Add the blackberries and bring back to the boil, then remove from the heat. Spoon the fruity mixture into 4 individual ovenproof ramekins, or 1 large baking dish.
step 2
Place the flour, butter and a pinch of salt in a large bowl and rub together with your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs. Add the pistachios and demerara sugar, then stir to combine.
step 3
Sprinkle crumble evenly over the cooked fruit. This can be done up to 1 day ahead, or frozen for up to 1 month. Bake for 20-25 mins if small, 40 mins if large, until golden. If baking from frozen, add 15 mins cooking time. Remove from the oven, cool slightly, then serve with ice cream, if you like.
About the author
Emma studied food and nutrition before focusing on furniture and design history at university in Manchester.
With over 20 years in senior product design and communications roles, she has ghostwritten for publications including The Times, Business Insider and The Financial Times.
In 2024, she and her husband, Craig, founded Maison d'Aquitaine to provide sustainably made kitchens for traditional French homes. They have lived in France with their children since 2011.
Emma is a vegetarian at home and a pescetarian in French restaurants! In her spare time, she works with the Dordogne-based animal charity, Phoenix Association.