Banoffee Crumble

This banoffee crumble transforms the classic British dessert into a comforting, spoonable treat that combines the rich sweetness of caramel with fresh bananas and a buttery crumble topping. Perfect for when you crave banoffee pie flavors but want something more rustic and homey.

I first made this crumble when hosting a British dessert night for friends, and it's become my goto comfort dessert ever since. The combination of warm bananas melting into the caramel underneath that crisp, buttery topping creates something truly magical.

Ingredients

• Bananas: Sliced lengthways are the star ingredient. Choose ones that are ripe but still firm enough to hold their shape when baked. The natural sweetness intensifies beautifully during baking.
• Carnation caramel: Provides instant richness and saves time. The storebought version works perfectly, but homemade dulce de leche adds an extra special touch if you have time.
• Plain allpurpose flour: Forms the base of our crumble topping. Its neutral flavor lets the other ingredients shine while providing structure.
• Unsalted butter: Cubed and cold gives the crumble its irresistible shortbread like texture. The cold temperature is crucial for creating those perfect crumbly bits.
• Soft light brown sugar: Adds a wonderful caramel depth to the crumble topping that complements the actual caramel layer perfectly.
• Grated nutmeg: Brings a subtle warmth that enhances the banana flavor. Freshly grated makes a noticeable difference in aroma and taste.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare Your Oven:

Set your oven to preheat at 180C/350F. This moderate temperature allows the crumble to brown properly while giving the bananas time to soften and release their flavor without burning the topping.

Layer The Bananas:

Slice your bananas lengthways and arrange in two complete layers across the bottom of your pie dish. Creating two layers ensures every bite contains that distinctive banana flavor. The lengthwise cut provides more substantial pieces that hold up better during baking and create a more satisfying texture in the finished dessert.

Add The Caramel Layer:

Spoon all of the caramel over your banana layers, using the back of a spoon to create an even distribution right to the edges. Take your time here to ensure complete coverage as this will melt down during baking to create that signature banoffee flavor. A level top will also help your crumble topping sit evenly.

Make The Crumble Topping:

Combine the flour, brown sugar and nutmeg in a large mixing bowl. Add the cold butter cubes and use only your fingertips to rub everything together. The heat from your palms would melt the butter too quickly, so stick with fingertips for the perfect breadcrumb texture. Continue until no large pieces of butter remain and the mixture looks like coarse sand with some larger clumps.

Top And Bake:

Sprinkle the crumble mixture evenly over the caramel layer, taking care to cover the entire surface and reach the edges of the dish. This creates a protective layer that helps steam the bananas beneath while forming a delicious crust. Bake for 2530 minutes, watching for a golden brown top and telltale caramel bubbling around the edges as your signal it's perfectly done.

Rest Before Serving:

Allow the crumble to rest for at least 5 minutes after removing from the oven. This crucial step allows the molten caramel to cool slightly, preventing painful burns and allowing the flavors to settle and meld together. The wait is worth it for both safety and flavor development.

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Nutmeg is my secret weapon in this recipe. While many banoffee desserts omit spices entirely, I find that the warm, slightly floral notes of freshly grated nutmeg bridge the banana and caramel flavors beautifully. My grandmother always added a pinch to her banana bread, and incorporating it here feels like honoring her baking wisdom while adding that special something that guests can never quite identify.

Make Ahead Options

This crumble is remarkably forgiving when it comes to preparation timing. You can assemble the entire dish up to 24 hours before baking and keep it refrigerated, covered with plastic wrap. The butter in the crumble topping will harden in the refrigerator, creating an even better texture when baked. If baking from refrigerated, add an extra 5 minutes to your baking time. Alternatively, you can bake the crumble up to 2 days ahead and reheat individual portions in the microwave for 3045 seconds or the entire dish in a 325°F oven for 1520 minutes until warmed through.

Serving Suggestions

While delicious on its own, this banoffee crumble reaches new heights when served with complementary sides. A scoop of quality vanilla ice cream provides the perfect hot cold contrast, with the ice cream melting slightly into the warm crumble. For a more traditional approach, freshly whipped cream with a touch of vanilla extract creates a cloud of lightness that cuts through the richness. For a special occasion, consider drizzling a tablespoon of dark rum over each serving just before adding cream the alcohol enhances the caramel notes beautifully. Morning leftovers are glorious with a dollop of Greek yogurt for breakfast.

Simple Variations

The basic banoffee crumble formula welcomes creative adaptations. For a chocolatelovers version, add 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder to the crumble mixture and sprinkle ¼ cup of chocolate chips over the caramel layer before adding the topping. Nutlovers might appreciate adding ⅓ cup of chopped pecans or walnuts to the crumble mixture for added crunch and flavor. For a tropical twist, replace one banana with thinly sliced mango and add ¼ teaspoon of ground ginger to the crumble mixture. During autumn, try adding thinly sliced apple between the banana and caramel layers with a teaspoon of cinnamon in the topping.

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The warm sweetness of caramelized bananas and crisp crumble makes each bite of this dessert pure comfort. Perfect for sharing with loved ones, it's a modern twist on a beloved classic.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use ripe or unripe bananas for Banoffee Crumble?

Ripe bananas work best as they provide more sweetness and soften beautifully when baked. Look for bananas with some brown spots but still firm enough to slice cleanly.

→ Can I make Banoffee Crumble ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the components separately. Assemble just before baking, or bake completely and reheat in a 160°C/320°F oven for 15 minutes before serving.

→ What can I serve with Banoffee Crumble?

Vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or custard complement the flavors perfectly. A drizzle of chocolate sauce or a sprinkle of crushed nuts adds extra texture.

→ Can I substitute the carnation caramel?

Absolutely. You can use homemade caramel sauce or dulce de leche as alternatives. For a quicker option, a thick butterscotch sauce would work as well.

→ How do I store leftover Banoffee Crumble?

Cover and refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days. Reheat portions in the microwave for 30-60 seconds or in a preheated oven until warmed through.

→ Can I make this dessert gluten-free?

Yes, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend in the crumble topping. The texture may vary slightly but will still be delicious.