Blackberry Crumble Pie recipe

So you've been out foraging for blackberries and have more than you know what to do with - try this mega sized tray bake that is super versatile and very, very tasty...

Blackberry Crumble Pie

You will need

for base and topping:

14oz/390g plain flour
7oz/200g caster sugar
1/4tsp salt
12oz/340g butter, chilled and cut into small cubes

for the filling

4 large eggs
9oz/260g caster sugar
300ml (one large pot) sour cream
3.5oz/100g plain flour
pinch salt
1tsp Vanilla extract
zest of half a lemon
1 1/2lb/700g fresh blackberries

Preheat oven to 350F/180C/GAS4

Start with the base - sift the flour, sugar and salt into a large bowl then rub in the butter until the mixture resembles rough breadcrumbs.  Reserve approx 200g of this mixture for the topping and press the remaining mixture into the base of a large tray bake tin (I used a large roasting tray measuring approx 43cm x 32cm). Pop this in the oven for 12-15mins to set the base. Remove from the oven and allow to cool whilst preparing the filling.

Whisk the eggs in a large bowl then add all the other ingredients except the blackberries, mixing thoroughly. Finally fold in the blackberries gently.

Pour the mix over the base then top with the remaining crumble mix.

Bake in the oven for approx 50mins.
 

Blackberry Crumble Pie tastes just wonderful warm from the oven served with cream, custard or ice cream but works even better if you leave it cool completely, cut it into squares and refrigerate.  The centre firms up nicely and contrasts beautifully with the buttery crumble top and bottom. It will keep in the fridge for up to a week in a covered container.

Best of all this tray bake freezes well too which is just as well as this recipe makes a lot of pie! Cut into slices/squares when cold and freeze in suitable containers. Defrost for about 4 hours before serving.

Happy Baking!

Something for the weekend :: Blackberries

If you love to eat and cook seasonally then you'll know that now is the best time for one of my favourite fruits - the blackberry.  The best thing about blackberries is they are available for free in many places and not just in the country either - check out parks, alongside canals or cycle tracks and scrub land. Berries growing close to busy roads are best avoided as are those growing close to the ground where dogs and foxes may cock a leg.

I'm very lucky when it comes to blackberries - not only do I live in the country with lots of brambles in the woods nearby (and sloes too but that's a whole other blog post!) but my MIL's large garden has a HUGE bramble bush tucked away down the bottom absolutely over flowing with luscious black jewels. This year the harvest has been very abundant and we have already picked more blackberries than in previous few years and there are still many more growing and ripening.

That's one BIG bush...

 

Fortunately blackberries freeze well. Just give them a wash and check through for bugs then lay them, in a single layer, on a baking tray and pop them in the freezer until solid before bagging them up for future use in cakes, muffins, tea breads, coulis, compote and more.

I have been collecting lush blackberry recipes on my 'Autumn' Pinterest board and last weekend I had a bit of a baking frenzy trying out some of them...


This 'Wild Blackberry Loaf' recipe was incredibly simple to make and tasted absolutely wonderful - the blackberry icing was a bit of a faff but definitely worth it!

We also had a go at 'Blackberry Lemonade' which is delicious as it is but, I would imagine would make a lovely mixer with a splash or two of vodka...

Talking of vodka, there is a great Blackberry Vodka recipe pinned to the board that I may have to try too!

 Far and away our favourite recipe was the magnificent Blackberry Pie Bars tray bake. It needed a bit of tweaking and deciphering of American measurements but turned out amazing. I shall be adding the recipe as a separate post later but in the meantime here are some piccies to whet your appetite!

 

There's still a few weeks of blackberry season left so why not make the most of this most wonderful FREE food and get picking!!