You can't deny it, we will be heading into Autumn soon and there's one seasonal gem that’s hard to miss: blackberries! These plump, juicy beauties are popping up all over the hedgerows, and I’ve got a few delicious recipes to help you make the most of this fruity treasure!
Classic Blackberry and Apple Crumble!
Is there anything more comforting than a warm, fruity crumble on a chilly evening? This classic British dessert pairs the tartness of blackberries with the sweetness of apples, creating a dish that’s simply irresistible.
What You'll Need:
300g of blackberries.
2 large Bramley apples, peeled, cored, and sliced.
150g of plain flour.
100g of cold butter, cubed.
80g of demerara sugar.
50g of oats.
1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon (optional).
2 tablespoons of caster sugar.
How to Make It:
Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 180°C (160°C fan) / 350°F / Gas Mark 4.
Prepare the Fruit: Pop the sliced apples into a baking dish, scatter the blackberries over them, and sprinkle with caster sugar.
Make the Crumble Topping: Rub the butter into the flour until it resembles breadcrumbs. Mix in the oats, demerara sugar, and cinnamon if you’re using it.
Assemble and Bake: Spread the crumble mixture over the fruit and bake for 40-45 minutes, until the top is golden and the fruit is bubbling away.
Serve: Enjoy warm with custard, cream, or a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream. Absolute bliss!
Homemade Blackberry Gin!
Ready to capture a bit of summer in a bottle? This blackberry gin is an easy and impressive way to preserve those delicious berries. Perfect for sipping or as a unique gift!
What you'll need:
500g of blackberries.
200g of caster sugar.
700ml of gin.
How to Make It:
Combine Ingredients: Wash the blackberries and place them in a large, sterilised jar. Add the sugar and gin.
Mix and Infuse: Seal the jar tightly and shake gently to dissolve the sugar. Store in a cool, dark place.
Shake It Up: Give it a shake every few days for the first week, then let it infuse for at least 2 months.
Strain and Enjoy: After the infusion period, strain the gin through a fine sieve into a clean bottle. Enjoy neat, or use it in your favourite cocktails!
Blackberry Jam!
Blackberries have this incredible balance of sweetness and tartness that makes them ideal for jam. Plus they’re packed with antioxidants and vitamins, so you can feel a little bit virtuous as you enjoy your homemade spread.
What You'll Need:
500g of blackberries
250g of granulated sugar
1 tablespoon of lemon juice
How to Make It:
Prepare the Fruit: Wash the blackberries and place them in a large saucepan.
Cook the Berries: Cook over medium heat until they start to break down, about 10 minutes.
Add Sugar and Lemon: Stir in the sugar and lemon juice. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens (about 15-20 minutes).
Test for Setting: To test if the jam is ready, place a spoonful on a plate and let it cool for a minute. Run your finger through it; if it wrinkles, it’s ready.
Jar the Jam: Pour the hot jam into sterilized jars, seal, and let cool completely.
Do you go blackberry picking? What do you like to make?
I don't pick wild berries because the only bushes that I know about, that are local to me, are by the side of busy roads and I am worried about them being covered in pollution. So I decided to plant a cultivated variety, which has the advantage of being thorn-less, at the end of my garden. That means lots of berries that are bigger than wild ones and no prickles while picking them, win win.
ReplyDeleteJane
Blackberry and apple crumble is our favorite dessert. I can remember picking blackberries when we lived up near Blackpool (a tiny village called Knott End-on-sea, so Blackpool is a better reference). We ate so many, but we still had a really good haul for Mum to make jam.
ReplyDeleteI love blackberries so thanks for this! I think I might bake a crumble over the weekend, it's been a while since we had one. xx
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