Berry season is in full swing right now and I’m sure most of you are looking for new ways to make delicious recipes with your fresh blueberries, blackberries and strawberries. While it’s always fun and refreshing to simply mix them into whipped cream, sometimes you just need a change or want to try new recipes that will become classics in their own right!
A simple and enjoyable way to do this is to cook a berry crumble, right on your BBQ. This recipe is quick and easy to make, so it’s a great way to introduce your kids to grilling too. Cooking desserts and fruits on a BBQ is something that will seem strange to most people at first, but you’ll definitely get a taste for it once you try a grilled crumble.
Croustades, much like cobblers, are a dessert that are very similar to pies, except they are simply topped with some sort of granola, puff pastry, or cake batter. This dessert is a juicy and flavorful dish, with multiple textures that blend together. While most pies are baked in a pie pan directly in the oven, we will be baking our croustade in a cast iron skillet on a Kamado Joe . There's nothing more summery than this duo.
Servings: 2
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
Trim:
- 2 cups blueberries
- 2 cups strawberries
- 1 cup blackberries
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 ½ tablespoons sugar
- 1 ½ tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 ½ tablespoons cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon Cake Seasoning
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Crisp:
- 1 cup melted butter
- 1 cup oatmeal
- 1 cup flour
- 1 cup brown sugar
Pro tip: For those of you who are new to cast iron skillets, they hold up well to heat over time.
For desserts and dishes that are high in sugar, you always want to cook a little lower than you normally would in an oven. This way, you won't burn any ingredients on the bottom of your pan while still achieving a nice sticky caramelization of your fruit.
Also, keep in mind that your coustade will continue to cook longer even off the BBQ than it normally would when it comes out of the oven in a pie pan. You should always give your desserts plenty of time to cool before serving.
Last but not least, always work with heat resistant gloves when working with a pan. Safety first!
Method:
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Preheat your grill to 375°F. I suggest using heat deflectors if you have them to evenly distribute the heat under the pan for even cooking.
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Coat a 10-inch cast iron skillet with cooking spray or butter. Set aside.
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Combine brown sugar, granulated sugar, cornstarch, cake seasoning and salt in a bowl. Set aside.
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In a large bowl, mix all your fruit with the lemon juice and lemon zest. Sprinkle the sugar mixture on top and gently mix to combine. Be careful not to crush your blueberries.
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Pour the berries into the cast iron skillet and set aside.
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Reusing your large bowl, combine all your crumble ingredients and mix well.
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Place your crumble on your fruit and place it on the barbecue for 40 minutes, with the lid closed.
Pro tip: At this point I like to add a handful of cherry pellets to my smoker just to add a little smokiness and a unique twist to this classic. -
Remove and let stand at least 30 minutes before serving.
Optional: Add a dollop of vanilla ice cream and a sprinkle of extra Cake Seasoning on top.
Finally, top this recipe with vanilla ice cream and you have a vitamin-rich summer dessert that will have the kids and neighbors asking for more.
Blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries are at their peak right now, so we’re going to take advantage of these seasonal fruits, but keep in mind that almost any fruit works here. I always like to mix a very sweet fruit with a more tart fruit for a more balanced bite. If your fruits are all sweet, you can always add a touch of lemon zest and juice to lighten the flavors and bring a nice citrusy pop to the dish. Other great combinations are apples and raspberries or peaches and apricots. Allow yourself to be creative and let us know what works best for you!
