Vanilla Maple Berry Bake (Printable Version)
Warm vanilla- and maple-kissed berries under a crunchy oat and nut crumble; serve warm with ice cream.
# Ingredient List:
→ Fruit Filling
01 - 4 cups mixed berries (fresh or frozen, such as blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries)
02 - 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
03 - 1 tablespoon cornstarch
04 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
05 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
06 - Pinch of salt
→ Crumble Topping
07 - 1 cup rolled oats
08 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
09 - 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
10 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
11 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
12 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
13 - 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
# How to Make It:
01 - Set oven to 350°F. Thoroughly grease a 9-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
02 - Gently toss mixed berries with maple syrup, cornstarch, vanilla extract, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt in a large mixing bowl until evenly coated. Transfer this mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread in an even layer.
03 - In a separate bowl, combine rolled oats, all-purpose flour, light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and salt. Add cold, cubed butter and blend it in using fingertips or a pastry cutter until the mixture forms coarse crumbs. Stir in chopped pecans or walnuts if desired.
04 - Evenly sprinkle the crumble mixture over the prepared berry filling covering the surface completely.
05 - Place dish in the oven and bake for 35 minutes until the topping becomes golden brown and the berry filling is bubbling.
06 - Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy warm, with optional toppings such as vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- You can toss it together in minutes and still hear everyone ask for seconds.
- It works as breakfast with yogurt or as a dessert with ice cream–versatility at its best.
02 -
- If the butter isn&apost cold enough, the topping will turn mushy instead of crumbly.
- Letting it cool a bit before serving keeps the filling from running all over your plate.
03 -
- Mix the crumble topping just until it forms chunky bits–overworking makes it dense.
- Sneak a few spoonfuls of filling to taste before baking so you can adjust sweetness if your berries aren&apost at their peak.