Why Christmas Crumble Is the Perfect Festive Dessert
Christmas desserts can sometimes feel overwhelming to make—there’s Christmas pudding, trifle, pavlova… But this crumble is different. It’s:
Quick and Easy: No complicated steps, no fancy techniques—just wholesome ingredients that come together beautifully.
Packed with Holiday Flavours: With mixed spice, ginger, and sweet-tart fruits, every bite tastes like Christmas morning. 🎄
Great for All Diets: Whether your guests are gluten-free, vegan, or have a dairy intolerance, this dessert fits the bill.
A Crowd-Pleaser: Who doesn’t love a good crumble? It’s a universally loved dessert that appeals to all ages.
Budget-Friendly: Using pantry staples and tinned or jarred fruit makes this recipe as kind to your wallet as it is to your taste buds.
The Star Ingredients That Make This Crumble Shine
To create a Crumble that’s truly irresistible, the ingredients you choose matter. Here’s why each one is a must-have:
1. Apples 🍏
I love using Granny Smith apples for this recipe. Their tartness balances the sweetness of the cherries, and they hold their shape beautifully when baked. If you can’t find Granny Smiths, Pink Lady or Fuji apples are excellent alternatives.
2. Black Cherries 🍒
The rich, dark colour and sweet flavour of jarred black cherries make this crumble feel extra indulgent. If you save the juice (don’t throw it out!), it becomes the base of a velvety, spiced sauce that ties everything together.
3. FLORA Block 🧈 (Vegan-Friendly)
This dairy-free alternative to butter is a game-changer for crumbly toppings. It melts beautifully and blends with the other ingredients to create a topping that’s golden, crispy, and utterly moreish.
4. Mixed Spice and Ginger 🌟
These warm, fragrant spices are what give the crumble its “Christmas in a dish” flavour. You can’t skip them—they’re the magic that makes this dessert feel festive.
5. Coconut and Almonds 🥥🌰
For the crumble topping, I love adding shredded coconut and slivered almonds. They bring a wonderful crunch and depth of flavour that elevate this dish from good to unforgettable.
How to Make the Perfect Crumble
Prep Tips for Success
Work Smart, Not Hard: If you’re short on time, canned apples and jarred cherries are lifesavers. They cut down on prep without compromising on flavour.
Don’t Overmix the Crumble: When making the topping, the goal is to create a crumbly texture. Mix just enough to combine the ingredients—overmixing can make it too dense.
Layer Strategically: Spread the apples and cherries evenly in your baking dish to ensure every bite has the perfect fruit-to-topping ratio.
Baking Tips
- Use the Right Dish: A shallow baking dish works best for crumbles, as it allows the topping to crisp up evenly.
Keep an Eye on the Oven: Baking times can vary depending on your oven, so check the crumble after 20 minutes. The topping should be golden brown and the fruit bubbling at the edges.
Serving Suggestions for Christmas Crumble
This crumble is best served warm, straight from the oven. But if you want to take it up a notch, try pairing it with:
Dairy-Free Vanilla Ice Cream 🍨: The cold, creamy texture contrasts beautifully with the warm crumble.
Vegan Custard: Pour it over the crumble for a luxurious touch.
A Drizzle of Cherry Sauce: Remember the juice from the jarred cherries? Warm it up and drizzle it over the crumble for an extra burst of flavour.
For drinks, you can’t go wrong with a glass of mulled wine or spiced apple cider. The spices in the drinks mirror those in the crumble, creating a match made in heaven. 🍷☕
Make-Ahead and Storage Options
One of the best things about this Crumble is that it’s incredibly versatile. Whether you want to make it ahead or save leftovers (if there are any!), here’s how to do it:
Make-Ahead Tips
You can prepare the fruit filling and crumble topping separately up to 24 hours in advance. Store them in the fridge and assemble just before baking.
If you’re baking the whole crumble ahead of time, let it cool completely before covering and storing it in the fridge. Reheat in the oven at 160°C for 10–15 minutes to restore its crispness.
Storing Leftovers
In the Fridge: Cover the dish tightly with cling wrap or transfer leftovers to an airtight container. The crumble will stay fresh for up to 4 days.
In the Freezer: Wrap the crumble tightly in aluminium foil or place it in a freezer-safe container. It’ll keep for up to 3 months. Reheat straight from frozen or thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
A Festive Vegan Christmas Crumble for Everyone 🎄🍒
This Vegan Crumble is the ultimate holiday dessert that’s sure to please every guest at your table. Made with a luscious filling of tart apples and sweet cherries, spiced with festive favourites like cinnamon, ginger, and mixed spice, it captures the essence of Christmas in every bite. The buttery crumble topping—crafted with the magic of FLORA Block—is perfectly golden and crunchy, all without any dairy or animal products. Whether you’re catering to plant-based eaters or simply want a lighter, allergy-friendly dessert, this vegan-friendly crumble is as easy to make as it is delicious to eat. Plus, it’s a guilt-free indulgence that doesn’t compromise on flavour or tradition. Pair it with a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream or a dollop of coconut whipped cream for the perfect holiday treat! 🌟🍏
Other Recipes to Try This Christmas
If you love this christmas crumble recipe, you’ll want to add these festive treats to your holiday baking list:
This Christmas, make dessert the highlight of your holiday feast with this easy, crowd-pleasing crumble. It’s warm, spiced, and everything you want in a festive treat. Take a picture of your creation and share it with me on Instagram @steph_cooks_stuff I’d love to see your take on this recipe! 📸🍒
Happy baking and Merry Christmas! 🎅✨
Christmas Crumble
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 10 1x
Description
Looking for a dessert that everyone will love this Christmas? My Apple and Cherry Christmas Crumble using FLORA Block is a delicious treat that’s dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan-friendly! Plus, it’s so budget-friendly, no one will miss out on the holiday goodness.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Pour the cherry liquid into a saucepan, add sugar, mixed spice, ginger, and cornflour, and whisk over medium heat until thickened.
- In a baking dish, layer your apples, cherries, and the thickened sauce.
- In a separate bowl, mix flour, coconut, almonds, and brown sugar. Add melted FLORA Block and mix until crumbly.
- Sprinkle the crumble mix over the fruit.
- Bake at 180°C for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with FLORA Cream if desired!
- Prep Time: 30
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Recipes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Australian
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! You can substitute the shredded coconut with rolled oats or simply use extra flour for the crumble topping.
If cherries aren’t your thing, try cranberries, blueberries, or even raspberries for a similar burst of colour and flavour.
Make sure the fruit filling isn’t too watery. If your fruit releases a lot of juice, you can add a tablespoon of cornflour to thicken it before layering.