Strawberry Peach Crumble

The irresistible aroma of sweet, bubbling fruit beneath a golden, buttery topping is just the beginning of this heavenly Strawberry Peach Crumble. Each spoonful delivers the perfect balance of tart strawberries and juicy peaches, creating a symphony of summer flavors beneath that satisfyingly crunchy oat topping. This simple yet impressive dessert transforms seasonal fruit into a crowd-pleasing treat that works just as beautifully at backyard barbecues as it does at elegant dinner parties. You’ll learn how to create the perfect crumble texture while highlighting the natural sweetness of fresh summer fruits.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Strawberry Peach Crumble stands out from other fruit desserts for numerous reasons. First, it celebrates the perfect marriage of two summer favorites – the bright, slightly tart notes of strawberries complemented by the honeyed sweetness of ripe peaches. The contrast between the warm, soft fruit filling and the crisp, buttery crumble topping creates an irresistible textural experience in every bite.

Unlike complicated desserts, this crumble comes together in minutes with minimal prep work. The simplicity of ingredients allows the natural fruit flavors to shine, while the oat-based topping provides a satisfying crunch that stays perfectly crisp even when served with a scoop of melting vanilla ice cream.

Best of all, this Strawberry Peach Crumble is wonderfully adaptable to what you have on hand, making it perfect for both planned dinner parties and impromptu dessert cravings. The homey, comforting nature of a fruit crumble served warm from the oven creates an instant sense of nostalgia that guests of all ages appreciate.

Ingredients

For the Fruit Filling:

• 3 cups (450g) fresh peaches, peeled and sliced (about 4-5 medium peaches)
• 2 cups (300g) fresh strawberries, hulled and quartered
• ⅓ cup (67g) granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

For the Crumble Topping:

• 1 cup (90g) old-fashioned rolled oats
• ¾ cup (94g) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (100g) light brown sugar, packed
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup (113g) cold unsalted butter, cubed
• ½ cup (50g) chopped pecans (optional)

The star ingredients are perfectly ripe peaches, which should yield slightly to gentle pressure and emit a sweet fragrance, and fresh strawberries at their peak sweetness. The combination of granulated and brown sugars provides both sweetness and depth, while the rolled oats create that signature crumble texture everyone loves.

Pro Tips

Perfect Fruit Preparation
When making Strawberry Peach Crumble, the condition of your fruit makes all the difference. For peaches, the easiest peeling method is to score an X on the bottom, blanch in boiling water for 30 seconds, then immediately transfer to ice water. The skins will slip right off without losing precious juice. For strawberries, choose bright red berries without white shoulders for the best flavor. If your fruit isn’t perfectly ripe, add an extra tablespoon of sugar to compensate.

Mastering the Crumble Texture
The ideal crumble topping has varying sizes of buttery clusters – not a uniform sandy texture. Achieve this by using very cold butter and working it into the dry ingredients with your fingertips just until large, pea-sized clumps form. Stop before the mixture becomes too homogenous. This technique ensures those coveted crunchy clusters that provide the perfect contrast to the soft fruit filling.

Baking for Optimal Results
Bake your Strawberry Peach Crumble on a parchment-lined baking sheet to catch any potential overflow. The dessert is done when you see the filling bubbling around the edges – this indicates the cornstarch has activated properly and will thicken the juices upon cooling. Let the crumble rest for 15-20 minutes after baking; this resting period allows the filling to set slightly while still serving it warm.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Dish
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9-inch square baking dish or 2-quart casserole dish with butter. Place the dish on a rimmed baking sheet to catch any potential overflow during baking.

Step 2: Prepare the Fruit
If your peaches aren’t fully ripe, place them in a paper bag for 1-2 days to speed ripening. When ready, peel peaches by scoring the bottom with an X, blanching in boiling water for 30 seconds, then transferring to an ice bath. The skins should slip off easily. Slice the peeled peaches into ½-inch wedges. Hull the strawberries and quarter them if large, or halve if small.

Step 3: Create the Filling
In a large mixing bowl, gently combine the sliced peaches and strawberries. In a small bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar and cornstarch to eliminate any lumps. Sprinkle this mixture over the fruit, then add the lemon juice, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. Fold everything together carefully to avoid crushing the fruit. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes to allow juices to begin releasing.

Step 4: Make the Crumble Topping
While the fruit is resting, combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl. Add the cold cubed butter and work it into the dry ingredients using your fingertips or a pastry cutter. The goal is to create a mixture with varying sizes of buttery clumps – from pea-sized to larger clusters. If using, fold in the chopped pecans.

Step 5: Assemble and Bake
Transfer the fruit mixture to your prepared baking dish, including any accumulated juices. Distribute the crumble topping evenly over the fruit, breaking up any extremely large clumps but keeping enough texture for that perfect crumble bite. Bake for 40-45 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling around the edges.

Step 6: Cool and Serve
Remove your Strawberry Peach Crumble from the oven and allow it to cool for 15-20 minutes before serving. This cooling period allows the filling to set slightly while still serving the dessert warm. Serve in bowls with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for the ultimate summer dessert experience.

Variations

Berry Bonanza Crumble
Transform this Strawberry Peach Crumble into a mixed berry version by replacing the peaches with a combination of blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries. Keep the strawberries and follow the same method, adjusting the sugar slightly if using tart berries. This variation creates a beautiful purple-hued filling that’s perfect when peaches aren’t in season or when you crave a more intense berry flavor profile.

Gluten-Free Adaptation
Create a gluten-free Strawberry Peach Crumble by substituting the all-purpose flour with a high-quality gluten-free flour blend or almond flour. Ensure your oats are certified gluten-free as well. Adding 2 tablespoons of almond meal to the topping creates an even nuttier flavor that complements the fruit beautifully. The texture remains just as delicious, with the bonus of being suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.

Tropical Twist
For a vacation-inspired variation, replace half the peaches with diced mango and add 1/4 cup of shredded coconut to both the filling and the crumble topping. A pinch of ground ginger and cardamom in the fruit mixture brings warmth and complexity that transforms this Strawberry Peach Crumble into an exotic dessert reminiscent of tropical getaways.

Storage and Serving

This Strawberry Peach Crumble can be stored covered at room temperature for up to 24 hours without significant texture loss. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 5 days, though the topping will soften somewhat. To refresh refrigerated leftovers, warm individual portions in a 300°F oven for 10-15 minutes to re-crisp the topping.

When serving, warm crumble pairs perfectly with contrasting cold elements. Classic vanilla ice cream is the traditional favorite, but don’t overlook these elevated serving options:

• Honey-sweetened Greek yogurt with a drizzle of additional honey creates a breakfast-worthy version
• Bourbon-spiked whipped cream adds sophistication for adult gatherings
• A scoop of lemon sorbet provides a refreshing citrus contrast that heightens the fruit flavors

For special occasions, serve individual portions in ramekins with a sprig of fresh mint and a shortbread cookie on the side for an elegant presentation that still maintains the dessert’s homey charm.

FAQs

Can I use frozen fruit for this Strawberry Peach Crumble?
Yes, frozen fruit works well in this recipe. Don’t thaw the fruit first, but do add an additional tablespoon of cornstarch to account for the extra moisture. You may need to extend baking time by 5-10 minutes.

Why is my crumble topping soggy instead of crisp?
A soggy topping usually results from butter that’s too warm or overworking the crumble mixture. Ensure your butter is cold and stop mixing once you have pea-sized clumps. Also, check that your oven temperature is accurate.

Can I make this Strawberry Peach Crumble ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble the entire dish up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate unbaked. When ready to serve, bake directly from the refrigerator, adding 5-10 minutes to the baking time.

Is there a way to make this recipe with less sugar?
Absolutely. You can reduce the sugar in the filling by up to half if your fruit is particularly sweet. Consider adding a tablespoon of honey instead for natural sweetness with more depth of flavor.

What’s the difference between a crumble, crisp, and cobbler?
A crumble has a streusel-like topping with oats, a crisp is similar but often includes nuts, while a cobbler features a biscuit or cake-like topping. This Strawberry Peach Crumble bridges the line between crumble and crisp, especially if you include the optional pecans.

Conclusion

This Strawberry Peach Crumble is comfort food at its finest — a celebration of summer’s best fruits transformed into a dessert that’s both homey and elegant. It’s the kind of dish that creates memories around the table, whether served at a backyard barbecue or as the sweet ending to a special dinner. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and adaptability, proving that sometimes the most straightforward preparations yield the most satisfying results. With just a few basic ingredients and minimal effort, you can create a dessert that captures the essence of summer in every delicious spoonful.

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