The classic apple crumble served with a jug of custard, is a simple and satisfying pudding. The addition black or blueberries brings extra flavour and turns the juice a glorious purple. Making the crumble with melted non-dairy spread is both quicker and easier than the rubbing in method.
Making custard with a2 milk, rather than cream requires some care, but is still fairly easy, and means that if you cannot have regular cow’ milk you need not miss out on custard. (Read more about a2 milk here).
For more crumbles you make like my vegan apple and mixed berry crumble.
Apple crumble with a2 milk custard
Ingredients
For the Crumble:
- 160 g plain flour
- 110 g white caster sugar
- 100 g dairy free spread – melted
- For the filling
- 4 dessert apples – peeled (cored and chopped)
- Handful blackberries or blueberries
- 4 tsp white caster sugar
For the Custard:
- 4 egg yolks
- 80 g caster sugar
- 350 ml a2 whole milk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp cornflour – mixed with 1 tbs a2 whole milk into a paste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4.
- Put the flour and sugar into a bowl and mix well. Pour over the melted spread and ix well. Use your fingers to rub until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
- Arrange the fruit into a 24cm oven proof dish, or individual ramekin dishes, then sprinkle the remaining sugar over. Top with the crumble.
- Bake in the oven for 30 – 35 minutes until the crumble has browned and the fruit is bubbling.
To Make the Custard:
- Separate the egg yolks removing as much of the white as you can, the best way to do this is to hold the yolk in your hand and let the white drip away.
- Place the yolks in a bowl with the sugar and beat with an electric whisk until pale and fluffy. Heat the milk to a simmer then slowly pour into the egg yolk and sugar mixture, whisking all the time.
- Return the mixture to the pan, add the vanilla essence and cornflour mix and gently cook stirring all the time, until thickened.
Notes
a2 Milk contains lactose. Lactose is the sugar which is present in all milk, unless it is labelled ‘lactose free’. If you have been diagnosed with lactose intolerance by your doctor, a2 Milk will not resolve any digestion problems. If you have any questions about a2 milk and its suitability for you, you can contact their nutritionist, Melanie Bibby via this page. Please also consult your GP for advice if you are concerned about food allergies or intolerances.
Recipe, styling and photography commissioned by a2 milk.
laura@howtocookgoodfood
There is nothing better than a warm bowl of crumble and custard at this time of year. I keep making them and cheat by using Bird’s custard! It is great to know this version you made with A2 milk is possible for those suffering lactose intolerance.
Helen
a2 milk does not contain the A1 protein which some people react to Laura. Lactose intolerance is something completely different.
Camilla @FabFood4All
Love this! I so have to make a portion of blackberry and apple crumble as hubby doesn’t like blackberries and this was my absolute favourite crumble at junior school, I’d even persuade my crumble hating friend to take a portion just so that I could have double! I don’t think I’ve made custard from scratch since my college days and something I shoud do when I have a glut of spare egg yolks:-)
Helen
You see I make custard so I have an excuse to make meringue with the left over whites Camilla!
Camilla @FabFood4All
And I make lots of Apple Meringue so now I know what I’ll do with the egg yolks next time:-)
Jacqueline Meldrum
Looks great and nice tips Helen. I must try this.
Helen
Let me know how it goes Jac.
Sarah, Maison Cupcake
The only off putting thing making custard from scratch is looking up the recipe but since I can now do it without looking it up I don’t have that problem. A lovely looking crumble, I hope you have bags of crumble in your freezer like I do!
Helen
Jars of crumble. I am trying to use less plastic!
Irene Wright
Apple crumble is an old favourite my Mum used to make often & now I do too. But your custard is certainly different. Must try it for a change. Love to try different foods so I’m sure I will like it.
Helen
I think it is far healthier with less cream. Ordinarily I’d use at least some, but until there is an a2 cream it needs to be made with just milk.
Urvashi
Interesting. I might have to point my sister in the direction of this post. My nephew has all sorts of allergies and went off normal milk a while ago but loved custard. This should do the trick!
Helen
As long as he is not lactose intolerant it is worth a try Urvashi
Franglais kitchen, Nazima
ooh these look good – love the dose of custard dispensed with the pot. lovely idea and a perfect pud for colder nights!
Jeanne Horak-Druiff
Oh I do love a good crumble! Fruit crumbles are the perfect comfort food for Autumn – and I’m also partial to a proper custard!
Helen
I love a good crumble too Jeanne. I always keep crumble in the freezer!
DANIELLE VEDMORE
Gorgeous! I love crumble! Rhubarb is my fave though! ;)
Carol Williams
Thanks for this recipe. I am a new convert to a2 milk. Am delighted that I have found it as it means I can drink milk again.