This easy Gooseberry Crumble is warm, comforting, and deliciously tart. It has the perfect balance of tender gooseberries and a buttery oat crumble topping.
Gooseberry crumble is one of those timeless desserts that effortlessly combines simplicity and flavor.
This British classic is known for its tangy gooseberry filling, balanced perfectly with a sweet, buttery oat crumble topping. It's easy to make and is full of bold sweet/tart flavor.
Gooseberry crumble offers a delightful contrast of textures and flavors.
The filling is juicy and tart, with the gooseberries providing a unique tang that’s perfectly balanced by the sweetness of the sugar.
The crumble topping is buttery and crisp, with a hint of caramel from the brown sugar and a subtle spiciness from the cinnamon.
Every bite is a harmony of tart, sweet, and crunchy – a comforting and satisfying dessert that’s sure to please any palate.
If you love crumbles and crisps, be sure to also try our Fig and Pear Crumble with Meringue Topping, Apple and Pumpkin Crumble, and Pumpkin Crisp with Gingerbread Topping.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Seasonal Delight: Gooseberries are in season for a limited time, making this dessert a special treat.
- Simple Ingredients: You probably have most of the ingredients in your pantry already.
- Versatile: This crumble can be easily adapted with different fruits or toppings.
- Comfort Food: Perfect for chilly evenings or to bring a bit of summer sunshine into your kitchen.
- Crowd-Pleaser: It’s a hit with both kids and adults, making it great for family gatherings.
What are Gooseberries?
Gooseberries are small, round berries that come in a variety of colors, from green to red to purple.
They have a tart flavor that becomes sweeter as they ripen. Gooseberries are rich in vitamin C and are used in a variety of culinary dishes, from jams and jellies to pies and crumbles. Try this gooseberry jam.
What do Gooseberries Taste Like?
Gooseberries have a distinctive flavor that can vary depending on their ripeness. Generally, they are known for their tartness, which is often balanced with a slight sweetness as they mature. Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
- Tartness: Unripe gooseberries are quite tart, almost akin to a sour grape or a green apple. This tartness is one of their defining characteristics and makes them an excellent ingredient for balancing sweet desserts.
- Sweetness: As they ripen, gooseberries become sweeter. Ripe gooseberries still retain a bit of their tangy edge but also develop a pleasant, fruity sweetness that can be compared to a less intense, more complex grape.
- Juiciness: Gooseberries are juicy, making them refreshing to eat raw and perfect for cooking down into sauces, jams, or fillings for desserts like crumbles.
- Aromatic Notes: Some varieties of gooseberries have a subtle floral or herbaceous note, adding a layer of complexity to their flavor profile.
Ingredients
- Gooseberries: These tart little berries are the star of the show. If you can’t find fresh gooseberries, frozen ones work just as well.
- Caster Sugar: Adds sweetness to balance the tartness of the gooseberries. Granulated sugar can be used as a substitute.
- Plain Flour: Helps thicken the filling slightly and forms the base of the crumble topping.
- Light Brown Sugar: Adds a subtle caramel flavor to the crumble. You can use white sugar if that’s what you have on hand. Or, if you like a crunchier crumble, use turbinado or demerara sugar.
- Oats: Give the crumble a lovely texture and nutty flavor.
- Ground Cinnamon: Optional, but it adds a warm, spicy note that complements the fruit. Try swapping it for ground ginger.
- Unsalted Butter: Cold and cut into small pieces, it makes the crumble topping wonderfully buttery and crisp.
See the recipe card for quantities.
How To Make Gooseberry Crumble
Follow this step-by-step photo tutorial, then scroll down to the recipe card for the full ingredients list and method.
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Lightly grease a 1.5 litre baking dish with butter.
Wash the gooseberries.
Top and tail them and add them to a mixing bowl.
Add the sugar and flour and mix well to coat the gooseberries, then pour into the baking dish in an even layer.
In a separate mixing bowl, combine the flour, light brown sugar, oats, and ground cinnamon.
Add the cold, diced butter to the dry ingredients. Using your fingers, rub the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs. You can also use a pastry cutter or two knives for this step if you prefer.
Evenly spread the crumble topping over the gooseberry filling in the baking dish.
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the crumble topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling around the edges.
Remove the crumble from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Serve warm, with custard, cream, or vanilla ice cream.
Variations
- Berry Mix: Add raspberries or strawberries to the gooseberries for a mixed berry crumble.
- Nutty Crumble: Include chopped almonds or pecans in the topping for extra crunch.
- Spiced Crumble: Add a pinch of nutmeg or ginger for a spicier twist.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free flour and oats to make this dessert suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
- Sugar-Free: Substitute sugar with a natural sweetener like stevia or erythritol.
Serving Suggestions
- Classic Pairing: Serve warm with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of custard.
- Creamy Addition: A spoonful of whipped cream adds a light, airy contrast to the crumble.
- Yogurt Twist: For a healthier option, try serving it with a spoonful of Greek yogurt.
- Indulgent Touch: Drizzle some caramel or honey over the top for extra sweetness. Try it with Whipped Honey!
Storage
Store: Gooseberry crumble can be stored in the fridge for up to three days. Make sure to cover it with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container.
Freeze: To freeze, let the crumble cool completely, then wrap it tightly in aluminum foil and place it in a freezer-safe bag. It will keep in the freezer for up to three months.
Reheat: To reheat, thaw in the fridge overnight and warm in the oven at 180°C (350°F) for 20-25 minutes.
Make Ahead: This recipe is great for making ahead. You can prepare the crumble topping and the gooseberry filling separately and store them in the fridge for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake, simply assemble and pop it in the oven. Alternatively, you can assemble the entire crumble and refrigerate it unbaked for up to 24 hours before baking.
Top tips
- Cold Butter: Make sure your butter is very cold before rubbing it into the flour mixture for the best crumble texture.
- Don’t Overmix: When making the crumble topping, mix until just combined. Overmixing can result in a dense topping.
- Resting Time: Let the crumble rest for a few minutes after baking. This helps the filling set slightly, making it easier to serve.
FAQs
Yes, frozen gooseberries work just as well as fresh ones. Just make sure to thaw and drain them before using.
It can be stored in the fridge for up to three days and in the freezer for up to three months.
Yes, feel free to mix in other berries or fruits like apples or rhubarb.
Similar Recipes Around the World
- Cobbler (USA): Similar to crumble but with a biscuit or cake-like topping.
- Crumble (UK): Often made with apples, rhubarb, or a mix of fruits.
- Crisp (Canada): A variation of crumble with oats and sometimes nuts in the topping.
- Streuselkuchen (Germany): A yeast cake topped with a sweet, crumbly streusel.
- Crostata (Italy): A rustic pie with a fruit filling and a simple pastry crust.
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📖 Recipe
Gooseberry Crumble
Equipment
- 1 1 ½ litre baking dish approx 8"x10" (20cm x 25cm)
- mixing bowl
Ingredients
For the filling:
- 500 g gooseberries 2 ½ cups
- 6 tablespoons caster sugar
- 1 tablespoon plain flour
For the crumble topping:
- 150 g plain flour 1 cup
- 6 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 50 g oats ½ cup
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon optional
- 100 g cold unsalted butter cut into small pieces, 3.5 ounces
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Lightly grease a 1.5litre baking dish with butter.
- Wash the gooseberries, then top and tail them and add them to a mixing bowl.
- Add the sugar and flour and mix well to coat the gooseberries, then pour into the baking dish in an even layer.
- In a separate mixing bowl, combine the flour, light brown sugar, oats, and ground cinnamon.
- Add the cold, diced butter to the dry ingredients. Using your fingers, rub the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs. You can also use a pastry cutter or two knives for this step if you prefer.
- Evenly spread the crumble topping over the gooseberry filling in the baking dish.
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the crumble topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling around the edges.
- Remove the crumble from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Serve warm, with custard, cream, or vanilla ice cream.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.
Cathleen
I just bought some gooseberries, and I am so excited to make this tonight! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe 🙂