Hairy Bikers Plum Crumble
Hairy Bikers are known for hearty, traditional British cooking. Plum crumble is a classic British dessert made by baking fruit beneath a crumbly topping of butter, flour, and sugar.
Unlike pies, there’s no pastry base. The fruit sits directly in the baking dish, and the crumble topping forms a crisp layer as it bakes.
The beauty lies in contrast: soft fruit below, crisp topping above.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 40
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Ingredients
For the Fruit Filling
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800 g ripe plums, halved and stones removed
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100 g caster sugar
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1 tablespoon cornflour
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Quality note: Use ripe but firm plums. Overripe fruit can become too watery.
For the Crumble Topping
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200 g plain flour
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100 g cold unsalted butter, cubed
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100 g light brown sugar
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50 g rolled oats (optional, for texture)
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Pinch of salt
Cold butter is essential for a crumbly topping.
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
Lightly grease a medium baking dish.
Place halved plums into a mixing bowl.
Add caster sugar, cornflour, and vanilla extract. Toss gently to coat.
Transfer the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
Cornflour helps thicken the fruit juices during baking.
In a large bowl, add flour and cold butter cubes.
Rub the butter into the flour using your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
Stir in brown sugar, oats (if using), and a pinch of salt.
Work quickly so the butter stays cool.
Sprinkle the crumble mixture evenly over the plums.
Bake for 35–40 minutes until the topping is golden and the fruit is bubbling around the edges.
The crumble should look crisp, not pale.
Allow the crumble to rest for 10–15 minutes before serving.
This helps the fruit thicken and prevents it from being too runny.
Find it online: https://britishrecipes.uk/hairy-bikers-plum-crumble/