Can I use frozen raspberries instead of fresh?

Absolutely! You don't even need to thaw them first. Just mix them with the other filling ingredients and proceed with the recipe. You might need to add about 5 minutes to the baking time since you're starting with cold berries.

Why is my crumble topping too wet or too dry?

The perfect crumble topping should hold together when squeezed but break apart easily. If it's too wet, add a tablespoon of flour. If it's too dry, add a little more cold butter. The temperature of your kitchen can affect the consistency, so don't be afraid to adjust.

Can I prepare this the day before serving?

Definitely! You can assemble the entire crumble, cover it tightly, and refrigerate overnight. Bring it to room temperature while the oven preheats, then bake as directed. Alternatively, bake it ahead and reheat before serving.

Is there a way to make this with less sugar?

Yes, you can reduce the sugar in both the filling and topping by up to half. Consider adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the filling to enhance the natural sweetness of the berries without added sugar.

Raspberry Crumble Recipe

Name: Raspberry Crumble Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour; ½ cup packed light brown sugar; ¼ cup granulated sugar; ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon; ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg; ¼ teaspoon salt; ½ cup butter, chilled and cut into small pieces; ¼ cup chopped walnuts; 6 cups fresh raspberries; ¼ cup granulated sugar; 1 cup walnuts, chopped; 1 tablespoon lemon juice; 1 tablespoon lemon zest

This irresistible Raspberry Crumble combines juicy, tangy raspberries with a perfectly crisp, buttery topping that creates magic in every bite. Ready in under an hour with minimal effort, this dessert strikes the perfect balance between homemade comfort and impressive presentation. The contrast between the warm, jammy raspberry filling and the crunchy, cinnamon-scented topping makes this a dessert you’ll find yourself making again and again.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Foolproof Success: Even if you’re not a confident baker, this recipe is nearly impossible to mess up – just mix, layer, and bake!
Perfect Balance of Flavors: The tartness of the raspberries perfectly balances the sweet, buttery crumble topping for a dessert that’s never too sweet.
Impressive Presentation: Despite being incredibly simple to prepare, this crumble looks and tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.
Versatile Serving Options: Equally delicious served warm with ice cream for a cozy evening treat or at room temperature for a delightful afternoon snack.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Crumb Topping:

All-purpose flour: The foundation of our crumble, providing structure and that perfect crumbly texture.
Brown sugar: Adds a deep, caramel-like sweetness and moisture to the topping.
Granulated sugar: Works with the brown sugar to create the perfect level of sweetness with a slight crispness.
Cinnamon: Just enough to add warmth without overwhelming the raspberry flavor.
Nutmeg: A pinch adds complexity and a subtle aromatic quality that elevates the entire dessert.
Salt: Don’t skip this! It balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
Butter: Must be cold to create those perfect little crumbs that become golden and crispy in the oven.
Walnuts: Add incredible texture and a nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with the raspberries.

For the Raspberry Filling:

Fresh raspberries: The star of the show! Their natural tartness and juiciness create the perfect filling.
Granulated sugar: Just enough to sweeten the raspberries without masking their natural flavor.
Walnuts: Adding these to the filling creates wonderful texture contrast and nutty pockets throughout.
Lemon juice: Brightens the raspberry flavor and balances the sweetness.
Lemon zest: Contains essential oils that add incredible aroma and a subtle citrus note.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Berry Bonanza: Replace half the raspberries with blackberries or blueberries for a mixed berry experience.
Nutty Alternatives: Swap walnuts for almonds, pecans, or hazelnuts based on what you have on hand or prefer.
Gluten-Free Option: Use your favorite cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend in the topping.
Extra Indulgence: Add white chocolate chips to the crumble topping for pockets of creamy sweetness.
Spice It Up: Add a pinch of cardamom or ginger to the crumble mixture for an unexpected but delightful twist.

How to Make Raspberry Crumble

Step 1: Prepare for Baking

Preheat your oven to 375°F and spray a 2-quart baking dish (or 9×9 inch dish) with non-stick cooking spray. This prevents sticking and makes serving much easier.

Step 2: Create the Crumb Topping

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until well combined. Using your fingers or a pastry cutter, work the cold butter pieces into this mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs – think the texture of small peas. Gently stir in the walnuts.

Step 3: Prepare the Raspberry Filling

In a large bowl, combine the fresh raspberries, sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, and chopped walnuts. Stir gently to coat the berries without crushing them too much. Let this mixture sit for 5 minutes – this allows the sugar to start drawing out some of the raspberry juices.

Step 4: Assemble and Bake

After the raspberry mixture has rested, give it another gentle stir and pour it into your prepared baking dish, spreading it into an even layer. Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the raspberries, covering the entire surface. Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes, until the topping turns a beautiful golden brown and you can see the raspberry filling bubbling around the edges.

Step 5: Cool and Serve

Allow the crumble to cool for 10-15 minutes before serving. This cooling period is crucial as it allows the filling to set slightly, making it easier to serve and less likely to burn your mouth!

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Keep Butter Cold: For the perfect crumbly topping, make sure your butter is straight from the refrigerator and cut into small pieces.
Don’t Overmix the Berries: Stir gently to maintain some whole berries in the final dish for beautiful texture variation.
Watch the Edges: If the crumble is browning too quickly, loosely cover with foil for the remainder of the baking time.
Check for Doneness: The filling should be visibly bubbling at the edges when it’s ready – this ensures the perfect consistency.
Even Topping Distribution: Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly for consistent texture and browning across the entire dessert.

How to Serve

Warm Dessert Perfection

Serve warm with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream that slowly melts into the crumble – the contrast between the cold ice cream and warm crumble is absolutely divine.

Breakfast Treat

Believe it or not, this crumble makes an incredible breakfast served with a dollop of Greek yogurt and a drizzle of honey.

Elegant Dessert Presentation

For dinner parties, serve individual portions in ramekins topped with freshly whipped cream and a mint leaf.

Accompaniments

Pairs wonderfully with:

Vanilla bean ice cream
Freshly whipped cream
Crème fraîche
A dusting of powdered sugar
A drizzle of warm custard sauce

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavor actually improves after a day as the spices meld together.

Freezing

You can freeze the assembled but unbaked crumble for up to 3 months. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before baking, adding about 10 minutes to the baking time.

Alternatively, freeze the baked and cooled crumble for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

Reheating

Individual portions can be reheated in the microwave for 30-45 seconds. For larger amounts, reheat in a 350°F oven for about 15 minutes until warmed through.

FAQs

Can I use frozen raspberries instead of fresh?

Absolutely! You don’t even need to thaw them first. Just mix them with the other filling ingredients and proceed with the recipe. You might need to add about 5 minutes to the baking time since you’re starting with cold berries.
Why is my crumble topping too wet or too dry?

The perfect crumble topping should hold together when squeezed but break apart easily. If it’s too wet, add a tablespoon of flour. If it’s too dry, add a little more cold butter. The temperature of your kitchen can affect the consistency, so don’t be afraid to adjust.
Can I prepare this the day before serving?

Definitely! You can assemble the entire crumble, cover it tightly, and refrigerate overnight. Bring it to room temperature while the oven preheats, then bake as directed. Alternatively, bake it ahead and reheat before serving.
Is there a way to make this with less sugar?

Yes, you can reduce the sugar in both the filling and topping by up to half. Consider adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the filling to enhance the natural sweetness of the berries without added sugar.

Final Thoughts

This Raspberry Crumble recipe captures everything wonderful about homemade desserts – it’s simple, adaptable, and completely satisfying. There’s something magical about the way the tart raspberries transform in the oven, creating a jammy filling beneath that irresistible buttery, nutty topping. Whether you’re making it for a special occasion or just because it’s Tuesday, this crumble is bound to bring smiles to everyone lucky enough to share it. Give it a try – I promise your kitchen will smell amazing and your taste buds will thank you!