Carla's Clean-Out-the-Fridge Fruit Crumble
by
Carla Hall
Carla Hall's genius formula turns whatever fruit needs using into a humble crumble, with flexible ratios for sweetener, thickener, and spices that adapt to what's ripe, what's sweet, and what's already in your pantry.
Prep Time:
15 Minutes
Cook Time
35-45 Minutes
Serves:
6-8 Servings
Level:
Beginner
Ingredients
Fruit Filling:
5–6 cups fruit: Apples, peaches, berries, plums, pears, cherries, nectarines, or any combination
2–6 tablespoons sweetener: White sugar, brown sugar, honey, maple syrup, coconut sugar, sorghum, or a little molasses
1–2 tablespoons citrus juice: Lemon, lime, or orange, plus optional zest
1–2 tablespoons thickener: Cornstarch, tapioca starch, or all-purpose flour ¼–½ teaspoon kosher salt
Carla's Crunch Topping:
1 cup flour: All-purpose flour or substitute up to half with whole wheat or oat flour
½–1 cup oats: Old-fashioned oats, quick oats, or omit and use additional flour
½–¾ cup sweetener: Brown sugar, white sugar, or coconut sugar
1–2 teaspoons spices: Cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, nutmeg, black pepper, or your favorite blend
½ teaspoon kosher salt
8 tablespoons (1 stick) cold butter, cubed
Up to ½ cup mix-ins: Pecans, walnuts, pistachios, coconut, granola, bacon, toasted pretzels, Parmesan, or your favorite crunchy addition
Instructions
STEP 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9-inch baking dish or 10-inch cast-iron skillet.
STEP 2: In a large bowl, combine your chosen fruit with the sweetener, citrus juice, thickener, salt, and any additional seasonings. Taste the fruit first and adjust the sweetness based on how ripe it is.
STEP 3: Transfer the fruit mixture to the prepared baking dish.
STEP 4: In a food processor (or using your fingertips in a large bowl), combine the flour, oats, sweetener, spices, and salt. Add the cold butter and pulse or work it into the dry ingredients until coarse crumbs form.
STEP 5: Stir in your favorite crunchy mix-ins, then evenly scatter the topping over the fruit. STEP 6: Bake for 35–45 minutes, until the fruit is bubbling around the edges and the topping is deep golden brown. If the topping browns too quickly, loosely tent with foil and continue baking.
Serving & Finishing Touches
Let the crumble rest for 10–15 minutes before serving warm.