Sometimes I really struggle to be creative in the kitchen. Other times, recipes just appear in my head and I know, without a shadow of a doubt that they will work. This recipe is one such example.
Toffee apple date & pecan crumble
If I take too long to agonise over flavours my efforts seem laboured and contrived.When something pops into my head like a silver streak of inspiration then I know I am onto something good.
All it took was a mistakenly bought can of Carnation caramel. I had meant to buy condensed milk but both labels are almost identical and I was in a rush!
My brian processed caramel + Bonfire night (too much time spent on my Pinterest Bonfire night board) and it equalled =
Toffee Apple Date & Pecan crumble. Just like solving an equation but with food.
Toffee apple date & pecan crumble
One bite and I knew I was onto something dreamy. Caramel toffee soaked apples helped along by a generous splash of Pineau des Charentes (a French aperitif made from adding unfermented grape juice to Cognac) and topped with a golden crumb of sweet nutty crunch. The only dilemma you will face when eating this is what to go with it. Custard? Cream? Ice Cream? All three?
What is your all time favourite crumble and could I persuade you to try mine too?
Here are a selection of scrumptious online crumbles:
Blackberry & apple skillet breakfast crumble – Elizabeth’s kitchen diary
Pear chocolate & ginger crumble – Fab Food 4 all
Rhubarb quark crumble – Maison Cupcake
Fig & blackberry crumble with an oat & quinoa crust (gluten free) – Franglais Kitchen
I am linking up to this month’s following challenges:
Tea Time Treats – Hedgecombers & Lavender & Lovage
Simple and in Season – Feeding Boys & Ren Behan
Toffee apple date & pecan crumble
Ingredients
- 500 g apples peeled,cored and thinly sliced
- 1/2 tin Carnation caramel/dulce de leche
- Generous splash of Pineau des Charentes/Sweet Sherry/Sweet Cider/Apple juice
- 10 Dates pitted and sliced,
- 150 g Plain flour
- 80 g Demerara sugar
- A pinch of sea salt
- 100 g Unsalted butter cut into cubes
- A pinch of mixed spice
- 25 g Pecan nuts roughly chopped
Instructions
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Pre-heat the oven to 190 degrees,
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Place the sliced apples into your chosen baking dish,
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Stir through the caramel sauce so all apple slices are well coated then pour over your alcohol/apple juice and scatter the dates over the mixture,
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Make your crumble topping by combining the flour and butter in a mixing bowl and rubbing the mixture together with your fingers until it resembles breadcrumbs,
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Add the sugar, mixed spice and pecan nuts to the crumble topping and stir to combine then sprinkle over the apples,
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Place the crumble into the oven for 35-40 minutes until it is bubbling around the edges and golden on top,
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Serve with custard, cream or ice cream.
Wow, that sounds dreamy indeed and perfect for keeping the cold at bay on Bonfire Night.
Thanks Chocolette, toffee and apples are perfect for this time of the year 🙂
YUM. Apple crumble is one of my all-time favourite desserts – LOVE the idea of adding the dulce de leche!!!
I am normally not that fussed by apple crumble but now I will be making this one all the time. Love dulce de leche too and would eat it every day if I could!
Well, you had me at crumble, but to then see toffee apples and dates and pecans – my goodness, I’m in heaven. Makes me want to grab a huge spoon and dig in. Thanks for linking up to S&S! x
That’s what I thought Ren, all my favourite flavours in one crumble. The toffee really makes it!
A friend saw this over my shoulder and when I went back for a closer look we both went round eyes and made very appreciative noises. Perfect for this time of year and I would love a huge bowlful with custard =)
Oh great to hear Laura, the best bit it it is simple yet so so good!
Haha – your process in the kitchen sounds like my process sitting at the computer writing a post! I agonised for more than a week to write up my beetroot salad and suddenly the entire idea formed and transformed into a post over the space of an evening. Love the flavours of this Autumnal crumble!
Good to hear we have the same ideas, they always arrive when they are ready, always unexpectedly!
Oh wow Laura the flavours you have in this crumble are just heavenly;-) Thank you for linking to my crumble too:-)
No problem Camilla, this is crumble weather!
This looks totally delicious!
Thanks Jan, it does make apple crumble a bit more interesting!
Yum! Love crumbles, and this is perfect for the fall weather!
Hi Tina, thanks for your comment. Crumbles are made for this time of year!
Now if ever there is an equation to solve, may it always look and taste just like that 😉 x
Couldn’t agree more Deena 😉
I should not be looking at this blog post while hungry… i’m now STARVING!!! What a temptingly amazing crumble Laura – I have to try this out this winter!!!! Apple will always be my favourite 🙂
Forgot to say – thanks for hooking up with November’s round of Simple and in Season…
Utterly perfect! Am pinning for prosperity 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing with Tea Time Treats 🙂
Janie x
Absolutely delicious! Caramel is my favourite especially with pecan!
Same here Suzi, great to hear from you!