Name: Damson crumble
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 800g-900g damsons; 50g light soft brown sugar; knob of butter; 1-2 tbsp sloe gin (optional); 2 apples peeled, cored and sliced; 250g plain flour; 150g unsalted butter cold; 80g light soft brown sugar; 80g demerara sugar; 50g ground almonds

800g-900g damsons
50g light soft brown sugar
knob of butter
1-2 tbsp sloe gin
(optional)
2 apples
peeled, cored and sliced

For the crumble

250g plain flour
150g unsalted butter
cold
80g light soft brown sugar
80g demerara sugar
50g ground almonds

Method

step 1
Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Put the damsons into a pan with the sugar, butter and sloe gin if using (or a splash of water if not) and heat gently until the damsons start to give off their juices. Tip into the base of a large shallow gratin dish (about 25cm long) and stir through the apple slices.
step 2
Put all the crumble ingredients into a food processor with a pinch of salt, and using the pulse button, whizz until the mixture just starts to clump together. Don’t whizz for too long or the mixture will stick together too much. Alternatively, rub the butter into the flour using your hands and then stir in the other ingredients.
step 3
Scatter the crumble over the damsons and bake in the oven for 30-40 mins until golden brown. Leave for about 15 mins before serving with custard or cream. Remember to warn everyone about the stones!