Blackberry Crumble with Chocolate {Gluten-Free, Vegan}

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A healthier take on a classic dessert, this blackberry crumble with chocolate is gluten-free, vegan and easy to make for a perfect family dessert. Can be made paleo too. Thank you to Oregon Berries for sponsoring this post. As always all opinions expressed here are my own. 

spoonful of blackberry crumble_

Blackberries have to be one of my all time favorite berries. It all goes back to those childhood summers I spent at my grandmother’s country house outside of Moscow, where she had an enormous vegetable and fruit garden, with huge blackberry bushes. I was always there in August when the blackberries were plump, juicy and ready to be picked and eaten right off the plant, and this was exactly how I frequently started my mornings.

In the US I find the blackberry to be a highly underrated berry. My in laws the other day proclaimed that they had never purchased blackberries before. So it’s time the humble blackberry jumps into the spotlight.

The blackberries used in this blackberry crumble hail from Oregon. Did you know that Oregon is the #1 US growing region for frozen blackberries? These berries are grown on multi generational family farms through environmentally sustainable practices, in the ideal climate for producing premium fruit that is packed with great taste and nutrition. Oregon has the ideal soil, air, water and climate for blackberries. They are frozen within 24 hours of being picked to lock in that summer taste and vital nutrition which means they are available all year round. Just one cup of blackberries has 30 mg Vitamin C (about 40% of RDA) and 8 grams of fiber (30% of RDA), as well as being high in Vitamin K and antioxidants. 

This chocolate blackberry crumble is the perfect way to use up delicious frozen blackberries. This recipe requires minimal prep, using only one bowl and a baking dish or cast iron pan. The prep time is minimal and baking time is only 35-40 minutes. Next time you need a delicious dessert on the table in no time to impress both friends and family alike be sure to make this chocolate blackberry crumble. The tartness of the berries pairs perfectly with the nutty crunchy chocolately crumble for a light and fruity easy dessert.

Blackberry crumble ingredientsBlackberry crumble ingredients

Ingredients:

  • Blackberries – while you can use other berries in a crumble I am currently loving this crumble with only blackberries; they are tart with just a hint of sweetness and create a wonderfully balanced not overly sweet dessert.
  • Maple Syrup –
  • Cornstarch – used to coat the berries and thicken their juices once they bake. You can use arrowroot starch instead to make this recipe paleo.
  • Lemon Juice & Zest – for tossing the blackberries, the lemon zest adds a perfect hint of fresh and sharp lemon flavor to this dish.
  • Almond Flour – main ingredient in the crumble, healthier than using regular flour and adds a nice nutty element to the dish.
  • Oats – For a paleo blackberry crumble omit this and add more almond flour or shredded coconut instead.
  • Pecans – adds just the right level of crunch to this blackberry crumble.
  • Coconut Sugar – a healthier option than regular white or brown sugar.
  • Sea Salt – just a tiny hint of salt makes all the difference in elevating the flavor of dessert recipes.
  • Vegan Butter or Coconut Oil – for mixing the crumble ingredients. You want this to be firm not liquid. Can use regular butter if not following a non dairy/vegan diet. Use coconut oil for paleo version.
  • Chocolate Chips – great way to add a hint of chocolate flavor to the crumble. Use paleo chocolate for paleo version of this recipe.

 

How to Make Blackberry Crumble with Chocolate:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. If using frozen berries add berries to baking dish or cast iron pan and place in the oven for a few minutes, until they have defrosted but are still cool to the touch.

Blackberries mixed cornstarchBlackberries mixed cornstarch

To the berries in the baking dish add cornstarch, lemon juice, lemon zest, and 1 1/2 tablespoons maple syrup. Mix.

crumble ingredientscrumble ingredients

In a separate bowl combine the remaining ingredients. Mix.

crumble ingredients mixedcrumble ingredients mixed

Top the berries with the crumble ingredients.

Bake for 35-40 minutes.

Serve with a scoop of ice cream of whipped coconut cream.

blackberry crumble in cast iron panblackberry crumble in cast iron pan

Variations on this blackberry crumble:

  • Add other berries to the mix
  • Use shredded coconut in place of oats
  • Use walnuts in place of pecans

blackberry crumble ready to eatblackberry crumble ready to eat

If you have any questions about this blackberry crumble recipe do no hesitate to reach out in the comments below!