Apple & Pear Crumble
A good crumble is one of those puddings that never really goes out of style. It’s simple, comforting, and made with ingredients that are usually easy to keep on hand. Served warm with custard or cream, it’s the sort of dessert that always feels familiar and homely.
This version uses canned apples and pears, which makes it really practical for everyday baking. There’s no peeling or stewing fruit beforehand, so it comes together quickly while still giving you that classic soft fruit filling underneath a buttery crumble topping.
The topping itself is simple but works really well — slightly crisp on top while still soft underneath where it meets the fruit. It’s the kind of dessert that suits cooler evenings, family dinners, or whenever you feel like making something warm and comforting without too much effort.
This recipe is part of my Old-Fashioned Puddings series on YouTube, where I’m sharing traditional puddings and desserts that many of us grew up with and still enjoy today.
Watch the Episode
This week on Farmers Wife Homestead, I’m making Apple & Pear Crumble, using simple pantry ingredients and canned fruit to create an easy old-fashioned pudding.
In the video, I show how I make the crumble topping and the texture you’re looking for before baking. It’s a really straightforward recipe and a great one to have on hand when you want a simple dessert without too much preparation.
New episodes in the Old-Fashioned Puddings series are shared every Sunday evening at 7 pm (NZST) on YouTube.
Apple & Pear Crumble – Old Fashioned Puddings Series Episode Four
If you missed my previous series, Old Fashioned Dinners (that still work today), you can watch the full playlist here:
Other Recipes in This Series
If you’re following along with the Old-Fashioned Puddings series, you might also enjoy:
Other Recipes You May Like
- Cherry Pie | Buttery Crust & Juicy Cherry Filling
- Kim’s Crunchie Bar No-Bake Cheesecake | Easy & Irresistible Dessert
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Log
- My Best Pavlova Recipe
Recipe Card
Serves: 6–8
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20–30 minutes
Ingredients
Fruit Filling
- 2 × 410 g cans sliced apples (in juice)
- 1 × 410 g can pears (in juice)
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
Crumble Topping
- 2½ cups plain flour
- 200 g butter, softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
Method
- Preheat the oven to 180°C bake or 160°C fan bake. Lightly grease a medium-sized baking dish.
- Pour the canned apples and pears, along with all the juice, into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle over the cinnamon and nutmeg and gently mix together.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Add the softened butter and rub it into the dry ingredients using your fingertips until the mixture resembles chunky breadcrumbs. A few larger buttery pieces are perfectly fine and help give the crumble a good texture once baked.
- Sprinkle the crumble mixture evenly over the fruit filling without pressing it down.
- Bake for 20–30 minutes, or until the crumble is golden on top and the fruit is bubbling around the edges.
- Let the crumble rest for about 10 minutes before serving.
- Serve warm with custard, cream, or vanilla ice cream.
What to Serve with This Recipe
- Warm custard
- Vanilla ice cream
- Whipped or pouring cream
- A cup of tea or coffee
Stacey’s Kitchen Tips
- Leave a few larger buttery pieces in the crumble for better texture
- Don’t press the topping down or it can become dense
- Let the crumble rest slightly before serving so the filling thickens a little
- Using canned fruit makes this a really handy pantry dessert
Variations & Substitutions
- Add oats to the crumble topping for extra texture
- Swap pears for canned peaches or apricots
- Add extra cinnamon if you prefer a warmer spice flavour
- Use white sugar instead of brown sugar if needed
Storage, Freezer & Make-Ahead Notes
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days
- Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving
- Best served warm
- Can be assembled ahead and baked later
Final Thoughts
There’s a reason crumbles have stayed popular for so long. They’re simple, reliable, and make a really comforting dessert without needing complicated ingredients or lots of preparation.
Stacey
Apple & Pear Crumble
Ingredients
Fruit Filling
- 2 x 410g cans sliced apples in juice
- 1 x 410g can pears in juice
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
Crumble Topping
- 2½ cups plain flour
- 200 g butter softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180°C bake or 160°C fan bake. Lightly grease a medium-sized baking dish.
- Pour the canned apples and pears, along with all the juice, into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle over the cinnamon and nutmeg and gently mix together.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Add the softened butter and rub it into the dry ingredients using your fingertips until the mixture resembles chunky breadcrumbs. A few larger buttery pieces are perfectly fine and help give the crumble a good texture once baked.
- Sprinkle the crumble mixture evenly over the fruit filling without pressing it down.
- Bake for 20–30 minutes, or until the crumble is golden on top and the fruit is bubbling around the edges.
- Let the crumble rest for about 10 minutes before serving.
- Serve warm with custard, cream, or vanilla ice cream.
Notes
Notes
- Leave the crumble topping loose for the best texture
- The filling thickens slightly as it cools
Variations
- Add oats or chopped nuts to the topping
- Swap pears for peaches or apricots
Storage
- Store in the fridge for up to 3 days
- Reheat before serving
