If you’re after a dessert that radiates comfort and indulgence all at once, you’ve got to try this Banoffee Crumble Recipe. It captures everything you love about banoffee pie—those sweet, luscious bananas and rich caramel—then adds a buttery, golden crumble that’s both crunchy and crumbly in all the right ways. Whether you’re serving this up for family gatherings or a cozy treat to brighten your day, every bite feels like a warm hug wrapped in a classic British favorite with an irresistible twist.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering your ingredients for the Banoffee Crumble Recipe is both simple and rewarding. Each component plays a crucial role, from the ripe bananas that bring fresh sweetness to the intense caramel that adds a luxuriously sticky richness. The crumble itself balances everything out with a buttery, nutmeg-spiced crisp that will have everyone asking for seconds.
- 4-6 bananas: Choose ripe but firm bananas for perfect natural sweetness and texture that holds up in baking.
- 397 g (14 oz) tin of Carnation caramel: This provides the signature rich, creamy layer that makes banoffee so irresistible; homemade caramel works beautifully too.
- 180 g (1 cup + 2 tbsp) plain (all-purpose) flour: The base of your crumble, giving it structure and that perfect golden crunch.
- 90 g (¼ cup + 2 tbsp) unsalted butter, cubed: Butter adds essential richness and helps create that lovely crumbly texture.
- 60 g (¼ cup + 1 tbsp) soft light brown sugar: This gives the crumble a touch of mellow sweetness and helps it brown beautifully.
- 0.25 tsp grated nutmeg: A warm, aromatic hint that adds a lovely depth of flavor to the crumble topping, but feel free to add more if you prefer a spicier note.
How to Make Banoffee Crumble Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Bananas
Start by preheating your oven to 180C (350F). Slice the bananas lengthways into evenly thick pieces, which allows them to layer beautifully across the base of your pie dish. For that buttery richness in every mouthful, consider two generous banana layers; this ensures your dessert is packed with fresh fruity flavor from top to bottom.
Step 2: Add the Caramel
Next, open your tin of Carnation caramel or prepare your homemade version, then spread it gently but evenly over the banana layers. Leveling this layer is important because as the crumble bakes, the caramel will soften and mingle with the bananas below, creating that uniquely sticky texture you’re after.
Step 3: Prepare the Crumble Topping
In a large mixing bowl, combine your flour, brown sugar, and grated nutmeg. Add the cubed butter, then use just your fingertips—resist using your whole hand—to rub everything together until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs. This tactile step is fun and essential for the perfect crumbly topping, as the butter coats the flour and sugar, forming tiny clumps that turn golden in the oven.
Step 4: Assemble and Bake
Spread the crumble evenly over the caramel layer, making sure to reach all the edges of the dish. This helps seal in the caramel and bananas and ensures you get that satisfying crunch on every bite. Place the dish in your preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the topping turns a gorgeous golden brown and you see the caramel bubbling through the edges. Remember to let your banoffee crumble rest for about 5 minutes before serving to avoid any burns from hot caramel—and to allow all the layers to settle beautifully.
How to Serve Banoffee Crumble Recipe
Garnishes
Serving your Banoffee Crumble Recipe with a flourish is easy and fun. A light dusting of cocoa powder or extra nutmeg can add a subtle aromatic touch. For an extra indulgent finish, a dollop of freshly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream perfectly complements the rich caramel and crunchy topping.
Side Dishes
This dessert happily stands on its own, but if you’re thinking of pairing, a fresh fruit salad with citrus notes or a bright raspberry coulis serves as a refreshing contrast to the sweet richness. A cup of black coffee or a robust tea also rounds out the meal with lovely bitterness to balance the sugars.
Creative Ways to Present
For a charming twist, try serving the banoffee crumble in individual ramekins or glass jars. It makes each serving feel special and festive. You can also layer the crumble in tall glasses for a visually appealing parfait-style dessert that showcases those distinct banana, caramel, and crumble layers.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Banoffee Crumble Recipe stores beautifully covered in the refrigerator for up to three days. Just cover with foil or cling film to keep the crumble topping from absorbing moisture and losing its crunchiness.
Freezing
Although freezing is possible, be aware that the texture of the crumble topping might soften upon thawing. If you choose to freeze, wrap it tightly in foil and place in an airtight container; thaw overnight in the fridge and warm gently before serving to revive some of that crispiness.
Reheating
Warm your stored or thawed Banoffee Crumble gently in the oven at 160C (320F) for about 10-15 minutes. This brings back that freshly baked warmth and crunch, enhancing the overall comforting experience of this dessert.
FAQs
Can I make homemade caramel for this Banoffee Crumble Recipe?
Absolutely! Homemade caramel adds a personal touch and can be adjusted to your preferred sweetness and flavor. Just ensure it’s thick and spreadable enough to layer over the bananas without running too much.
What bananas work best for this recipe?
Use bananas that are ripe enough to be sweet but still firm so they hold their shape during baking. Overripe bananas might turn mushy and make the dessert too soft.
Is it possible to use a gluten-free flour for the crumble topping?
Yes, you can substitute plain gluten-free flour blends in equal measure. Just check that your blend includes a binding agent for the best crumble texture.
Can I add nuts to the crumble topping?
Sure! Chopped walnuts or pecans can add a fantastic crunch and depth of flavor. Mix them into the crumble mixture before baking for an extra special twist.
How do I prevent the caramel from burning while baking?
Keep an eye on the bake time and temperature; baking at 180C (350F) and for no more than 30 minutes typically avoids burning. Also, evenly spreading the caramel and crumble helps distribute heat uniformly.
Final Thoughts
Whipping up this Banoffee Crumble Recipe will quickly become one of your favorite kitchen adventures. It’s that perfect balance of comforting, sweet, and crunchy all in one irresistibly tasty dish. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just getting started, this recipe is a joy to make and even more delightful to share. So go ahead and give it a try—you’re going to love every single spoonful!
Print
Banoffee Crumble Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Description
A luscious Banoffee Crumble combining ripe bananas, rich caramel, and a buttery nutmeg-spiced crumble topping baked to golden perfection. This easy-to-make dessert features layers of sliced bananas topped with smooth caramel and a crisp, golden crumble, creating a delightful balance of flavors and textures perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Banana Layer
- 4–6 bananas (depending on size), sliced lengthways
Caramel Layer
- 397 g (14 oz) tin of carnation caramel (or homemade caramel if preferred)
Crumble Topping
- 180 g (1 cup + 2 tbsp) plain (all-purpose) flour
- 90 g (¼ cup + 2 tbsp) unsalted butter, cubed
- 60 g (¼ cup + 1 tbsp) soft light brown sugar
- 0.25 tsp grated nutmeg (or more to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) to prepare for baking the crumble.
- Prepare Banana Layers: Slice the bananas lengthwise into pieces of equal thickness. Layer them evenly at the bottom of your pie dish, ideally in two layers, to ensure every bite is packed with banana flavor.
- Add Caramel: Spread the carnation caramel evenly over the banana layers, smoothing the top to create an even surface for the crumble topping. The caramel will melt into the bananas during baking.
- Make Crumble Topping: In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, and grated nutmeg. Add the cubed butter and rub it in using your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
- Top with Crumble: Evenly spread the crumble mixture over the caramel layer, making sure it covers all edges of the pie dish for crispness all around.
- Bake: Place the pie dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the crumble topping is golden brown and caramel is bubbling at the edges.
- Cool Before Serving: Remove the crumble from the oven and let it stand for 5 minutes to allow the caramel to set slightly as it is very hot. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- You can substitute the carnation caramel with homemade caramel for a more natural flavor.
- Slicing bananas lengthwise enhances the banana texture and appearance when serving, but discs work well too.
- Grated nutmeg adds a subtle warmth and aromatic touch to the crumble topping; adjust according to taste.
- Allow the crumble to cool slightly before serving to avoid burns from hot caramel.
- This dessert is best eaten on the day it is made for optimal freshness and texture.
