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    Home » Recipes » Desserts

    Published: Dec 19, 2017 · Modified: Apr 14, 2020 by Melanie McDonald · This post contains affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 14 Comments

    Cranberry Apple Pear Vegan Crumble

    JUMP TO RECIPE PIN
    4.84 from 6 votes
    It's hard to beat a good crumble, and this Cranberry Apple Pear Vegan Crumble is really something special! We're talking tart cranberries & Granny Smith apples,  sweet, soft pear & a crumbly, nutty, buttery topping, all baked to golden perfection. It's an absolute crowd pleaser & so easy to make! 

    It's hard to beat a good crumble, and this Cranberry Apple Pear Vegan Crumble is really something special! We're talking tart cranberries & Granny Smith apples,  sweet, soft pear & a crumbly, nutty, buttery topping, all baked to golden perfection. It's an absolute crowd pleaser & so easy to make!

    Overhead shot of Cranberry Apple PearVegan Crumble served up in a bowl with casserole full of crumble next to it

    Who's up for dessert? If you're anything like me then you are always up for dessert and I've got a real crowd-pleaser for you today!

    This my friends is a Cranberry Apple Pear Vegan Crumble and it is just perfect for dessert over the holidays. In fact, I've included it in my Vegan Christmas Dinner Menu, Shopping List and Timeline because it's so yum. If you want your Vegan Christmas Dinner planned down tot he tiniest detail fro you, then go check it out.

    Now to the crumble...We are talking Granny Smith apples, because they keep their shape nicely and give a little bite rather than turning to mush, sweet pear that dissolves into a delicious puree, bursts of tart cranberry and a light, crumbly buttery golden topping studded with chewy oats and crunchy almonds. Feel free to ditch the almonds if you need to make it nut-free though, it's still amazing without.

    Paul (a.k.a Mr A Virtual Vegan) has been away for a couple of weeks so he has missed out on taste-testing this beauty, but apple-y desserts are his favourite so I think this might just make an appearance on Christmas Day, along with the multitude of Vegan Christmas Puddings that I have in storage after testing that recipe more times than I care to remember.

    Cranberry Apple Pear Vegan Crumble with a serving taken out. Fruity inside visible

    HOW TO MAKE VEGAN CRUMBLE

    There are just a few simple steps to making this crumble.

    First, make the crumble topping. Put the flour, vegan butter, sugar, salt, and almonds in a food processor.

    Topping for Cranberry Apple Pear Vegan Crumble all in a food processor bowl ready to be processed up

    Pulse until the flour is looking bread-crumby and the almonds are in chunky little pieces.

    Apple Cranberry Pear Vegan Crumble topping in a food processor bowl

    Then remove the blade, add the oats and stir through.

    Cranberry Apple Pear Vegan Crumble topping with oats being added

    At this stage I really recommend freezing the crumble topping. All it needs is 30 minutes, although it can stay in there for weeks in a sealed container or a freezer bag if you want to make it ahead of time.

    While that's in the freezer, peel and chunkily chop your fruit and put it into a large bowl.

    Apples & pears with cinnamon and sugar in a bowl

    Toss with vanilla, cinnamon, sugar and a tiny bit of flour then pour it into the casserole you are going to bake it in and scatter over a few cranberries.

    The fruity base of the Cranberry Apple Pear Vegan Crumble before the topping is added

    Then remove the crumble topping from the freezer and spoon it evenly over the fruit.

    Cranberry Apple Pear Vegan Crumble before baking taken from above

    Bake until golden, enjoying the wafty, festively spiced smells as they drift through your house!

    Cranberry Apple Pear Vegan Crumble, golden and bubbling after baking

    WHY FREEZE THE CRUMBLE?

    Freezing the crumble before baking slows the melting of the butter and improves the texture. There isn't a massive difference, and by all means, if you don't have time, just bake it right away.  But, even if you can stash it away in the freezer while you peel and chop the fruit it will make a slight difference. It makes the topping lighter and more crumbly, and causes the powdery mixture, to become a little more clumpy and nubbly, adding a more interesting mouth-feel and look.

    CAN I MAKE FRUIT CRUMBLE IN ADVANCE?

    This Cranberry Apple Pear Vegan Crumble is really easy to make, and although I don't recommend making the whole thing in advance, because the apples and pears will probably go brown and the crumble topping might get soggy, you can still make things easier for yourself by making the crumble topping as far ahead as you want to and keeping it in a sealed bag or container in the freezer. Then on the day you want it, it won't take long to put together at all.

    Overhead shot of Cranberry Apple Pear Vegan Crumble topped with melty ice cream

    I am loving this Cranberry Apple Pear Vegan Crumble because its:

    • The perfect cozy fall or winter dessert
    • Quick and easy to make
    • Family friendly
    • Perfect for the holidays as the cranberries give it a festive look and flavour
    • Easy to make nut-free if you need to
    • Makes your house smell amazing while it cooks
    • It reheats really well
    • You can easily double or triple it if you are expecting a large crowd

    HOW TO SERVE CRANBERRY APPLE PEAR VEGAN CRUMBLE

    This fruity Vegan Crumble is best served warm from the oven. It is really good served with:

    • vanilla ice cream
    • coconut whipped cream
    • thick coconut milk from a can
    • So Delicious Cocowhip
    • vegan custard (a very British accompaniment!)

    My favourite ways to eat it are with So Delicious Vanilla ice cream or custard!

    If you are cooking for family or friends over the holidays, consider giving this Crumble a try. I can guarantee that it will go down really well!

    Hungry for more vegan desserts?

    • Raspberry Oat Bars
    • Incredible Vegan Hot Chocolate
    • Vegan Ginger Cookies
    • Stovetop Candied Pecans
    Overhead shot of Cranberry Apple Pear Vegan Crumble served up in a bowl with casserole full of crumble next to it

    Cranberry Apple Pear Crumble

    Author: Melanie McDonald
    4.84 from 6 votes
    It's hard to beat a good crumble, and this Cranberry Apple Pear Crumble is really something special! We're talking tart cranberries & Granny Smith apples,  sweet, soft pear & a crumbly, nutty, buttery topping, all baked to golden perfection. It's an absolute crowd pleaser & so easy to make! 
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe SaveSaved!
    PREP TIME: 20 minutes
    COOK TIME: 50 minutes
    TOTAL TIME: 1 hour 10 minutes
    Servings: 8 servings

    Ingredients
      

    For the crumble topping

    • 200g / 1½ cups all purpose flour , plain flour in the UK
    • 110 g / ½ packed cup vegan butter , hard and cold
    • 120g / ½ heaping cup granulated sugar , either cane sugar or turbinado, not brown sugar or coconut sugar
    • 100g / ¾ cup almonds , skin on almonds are fine and actually look good (omit to make nut free)
    • 70g / ¾ cup rolled oats
    • ½ teaspoon salt

    For the filling

    • 600g / 3 very large Granny Smith apples
    • 400g / 2 very large pears , nice ripe ones are best
    • 100g / 1 cup cranberries , fresh or frozen (no need to defrost)
    • 80g / ⅓ heaping cup sugar , either cane sugar or turbinado, not brown sugar or coconut sugar
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
    • 1 tablespoon all purpose flour , plain flour in the UK
    • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 60 mls / ¼ cup water
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    INSTRUCTIONS
     

    For the crumble topping

    • Put all of the crumble topping ingredients, except the oats, into a food processor  and pulse until the flour looks like coarse breadcrumbs and the almonds are in chunky pieces. 
      If you don't have a food processor you can rub the butter into the flour, sugar and salt with your finger tips then chop the almonds into small chunky pieces then combine the two. 
    • Mix the oats into the crumble topping and then for best results place it in the freezer for 30 mins. There is no need to cover it if it's only for 30 minutes but if it's going to be in there longer be sure to have it in a sealed container or freezer bag. You don't have to freeze it. It's perfectly good if you don't, but better if you do. 

    For the filling

    • Peel the apples and cut them in half, then into quarters. Remove the core then cut each quarter into thickish wedges. 
    • Peel the pears, cut in half, scoop out the small core with a spoon then cut the stalk and the little end piece off before cutting into wedges. 
    • Place the apples and pears in a large bowl and sprinkle over the sugar, cinnamon and flour then stir to distribute. 
    • Pour the apple mixture into a baking dish (I used a 9 x 9, 3 inch deep dish and it was a really tight squeeze but I got it all in. Don't use anything smaller than this. Flatten them out evenly then sprinkle over the cranberries and pour over the water.
    • Take the topping out of the freezer and spoon evenly over the top. It's best for goldenness and texture not to flatten it out. Just leave it rustic looking! 
    • Place in a pre-heated oven at 400°F and bake for 45 - 50 minutes until golden. Some bubbling around the edges is normal so if your dish is very full, place it on a baking sheet in the oven to catch any overflow. 
    • Remove from the oven and leave to rest for 10 minutes before serving. 

    NOTES

    Serve warm.
    Leftovers will keep in the fridge for 4 - 5 days and reheat well. 
    Crumble topping can be made many weeks ahead and stored in a sealed container or freezer bag in the freezer. 
    ________________________________________________________
    DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?
    If you did, be a ☆ and let me know what you think by rating it and commenting below. Tag me on Instagram too. I am @avirtualvegan and my hashtag is #avirtualvegan  
    ________________________________________________________

    NUTRITION

    Serving: 1of 8 servingsCalories: 445kcalCarbohydrates: 73gProtein: 7gFat: 15gSodium: 225mgFiber: 8gSugar: 38gVitamin A: 100IUVitamin C: 5.8mgCalcium: 50mgIron: 2.3mg

    Nutritional information is provided for convenience. The data is a computer generated estimate and should be used as a guide only.

    Tried this recipe?Rate it & leave your feedback in the comments section below, or tag @avirtualvegan on Instagram and hashtag it #avirtualvegan

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Amy says

      December 16, 2020 at 8:19 am

      I love a good crumble. Would GF flour work in this recipe?

      Reply
      • A Virtual Vegan says

        December 16, 2020 at 12:24 pm

        I've never made a GF crumble but I'm pretty sure it would be fine if you use a good all purpose GF flour.

        Reply
    2. Tessa Shellby says

      December 13, 2020 at 5:59 am

      5 stars
      Your crumble, two words... "simply divine".
      Having recently turned vegan, from years of vegetarianism, I have been following your recipes and I can honestly say that without doing so I think I would have given up weeks ago. A very big thank you!

      Reply
      • A Virtual Vegan says

        December 13, 2020 at 1:37 pm

        Oh Tessa that's great! I'm really pleased you're enjoying the crumble (and other recipes). Comments like this always make my day, so thank you too!
        There's an awesome rhubarb crumble in my cookbook if you have it ;O)

        Reply
    3. Tania (Fit Foodie Nutter) says

      December 21, 2017 at 8:54 am

      5 stars
      Well this recipe has Christmas written all over it Melanie! I love crumble and your festive twist makes it a great treat over the holiday season!

      Reply
      • A Virtual Vegan says

        December 21, 2017 at 11:48 am

        Thank you!

        Reply
    4. Cassidy says

      December 20, 2017 at 4:34 pm

      Ohhh, I do love a good crumble! This one sounds so festive and warming!

      Reply
    5. Sarah says

      December 20, 2017 at 10:28 am

      5 stars
      So pretty and delicious! Such a unique combination with the tart cranberries and Granny Smiths! We loved it.

      Reply
    6. Marina says

      December 20, 2017 at 7:17 am

      5 stars
      Mmm Mel this looks so comforting! Cranberries are so good for you, and I love finding awesome ways to incorporate them into my diet!

      Reply
      • A Virtual Vegan says

        December 20, 2017 at 12:51 pm

        Thank you Marina!

        Reply
    7. Randi Tisdall says

      December 20, 2017 at 7:14 am

      I love crumbles!! This looks delish and I love the step-by-step pictures. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • A Virtual Vegan says

        December 20, 2017 at 12:51 pm

        Thank you. I really wanted to make a video but didn't have time so step by step pictures it is instead!

        Reply
    8. Mrs_Susan says

      December 19, 2017 at 5:58 am

      4 stars
      Thanks for posting this recipe. I'm going to try making it this weekend! p.s. I think it's hilarious that your suggestions for serving it includes dairy... lol. Best wishes.

      Reply
      • A Virtual Vegan says

        December 19, 2017 at 2:17 pm

        I assume you are referring to me listing vanilla ice cream as a good accompaniment? There are many vegan vanilla ice creams readily available at grocery stores these days. Just under the list of accompaniments you will see that I link to my favourite ice cream which is made by So Delicious and has a cashew milk base. I don't feel the need to put the word 'vegan' before everything as it should be obvious that as this is a vegan blog I won't be referring to, or encouraging the consumption of anything that isn't vegan. I hope you enjoy the crumble!

        Reply

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    I'm Melanie McDonald (but you can call me Mel), best-selling cookbook author and creator of A Virtual Vegan. I share well-tested, flavour-packed vegan recipes with clear, step-by-step instructions. My goal is to give you the confidence to cook amazing vegan food from scratch.

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