There's a reason crumbles are a go-to dessert. They're simple, comforting, and absolutely delicious. This Warm Strawberry Crumble with Golden Oat Topping is a perfect example, taking a simple summer fruit and turning it into a bubbling, sweet, and satisfying dessert that is impossible to resist. It’s the kind of dish that feels rustic and elegant all at once, and it’s a brilliant way to use up fresh strawberries.

The beauty of this recipe is the perfect contrast of textures: a warm, juicy strawberry filling is topped with a crunchy, buttery, and golden oat crumble. The entire dish comes together with minimal effort, making it the perfect last-minute dessert for a dinner party or a cozy night in. Served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, it’s pure bliss.

Warm Strawberry Crumble with Golden Oat Topping

Yields: 6 servings

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 30-35 minutes

Ingredients

  • For the Strawberry Filling:

    • 4 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and quartered

    • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

    • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

    • A squeeze of fresh lemon juice

  • For the Golden Oat Topping:

    • ½ cup all-purpose flour

    • ½ cup rolled oats (old-fashioned)

    • ½ cup packed brown sugar

    • ¼ cup granulated sugar

    • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

    • ¼ teaspoon salt

    • ½ cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes

Instructions

1. Prepare the Strawberry Filling

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

  2. Combine: In a medium bowl, combine the strawberries, granulated sugar, cornstarch, vanilla extract, and lemon juice. Toss gently until the strawberries are evenly coated.

  3. Transfer: Pour the strawberry mixture into an 8x8-inch baking dish or a 9-inch pie plate.

2. Make the Golden Oat Topping

  1. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, stir together the flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and salt.

  2. Cut in Butter: Add the cold butter cubes to the dry mixture. Use a pastry blender or your fingertips to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until it resembles a coarse, crumbly mixture. Do not overmix; you want some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining.

  3. Sprinkle: Sprinkle the oat topping evenly over the strawberry filling in the baking dish.

3. Bake and Serve

  1. Bake: Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the filling is hot and bubbly and the oat topping is golden brown and crispy.

  2. Cool: Let the crumble cool for at least 10 minutes before serving. This allows the filling to set up slightly.

  3. Serve: Serve warm, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream.

Pro-Tips for a Perfect Crumble

  • Use Fresh or Frozen: You can use frozen strawberries for this recipe. If you do, don't thaw them first. Just add them to the filling mixture and add a few extra minutes to the baking time.

  • Cold Butter is Key: Using cold butter for the topping is crucial. As it melts in the oven, it creates pockets of steam that make the topping extra crispy and light.

  • Cornstarch is Your Friend: Don't skip the cornstarch! It's what thickens the strawberry juices, preventing the filling from becoming a watery mess.

  • The Perfect Topping: For a beautiful, rustic look, don't overmix the topping. The craggy, crumbly texture is part of its charm.

  • Taste Before Baking: You can adjust the sugar in the filling depending on the sweetness of your strawberries. Taste a small piece and add a little more sugar if needed.