One-handed crumble topping recipe

[EsmeNoteSpelling]

Hi everyone

I am temporarily unable to use one hand due to an injury. I really fancy a crumble but can’t rub in flour and butter. Does anybody have a recipe that can be made with no rubbing in, and entirely with one hand? Thanks in advance!

I suppose you could rub it in one handed. When I’m feeling lazy I just top with muesli - but it’s not as yummy as proper crumble.

Could you start it off with a fork? Put a damp tea towel under the bowl so it doesn't move around so much?

And friends or relatives could make you one?

Have you got a food processor? You can chuck the flour and butter in there and you get a great crumble mix. I still prefer to make mine by hand but if I'm in a rush, I'll happily use the food processor.

Oats or granola?

Unfortunately my local family are isolating as there is a case of Covid in the house so it’s definitely on me.

@KittenKongRubbing in one-handed won’t work for me, and I don’t have muesli in the house. I’ve flour sugar butter oats so happy to cook just need a recipe

@BettySweaty Good idea about the damp tea towel might give that a go thank you

Try oats, sugar and melted butter mixed together. You can add some ground almonds and or even some crushed digestives for different textures.

@SillyBub yes I do! I never thought of that. Would I use exactly the same recipe, proportions et cetera?

@BingBongToTheMoon Love oats in a crumble topping. Would they work with the food presser as above do you think?

Just get some ready made. I feel for you op, in the same boat with one hand.

@WeAreTheHeroes would you do just a normal proportions for that but just melt the butter instead of rub it? I’m guessing it will go into one big ball rather than lots of little bits will that matter?

I always use processor and just pulse it to rub butter in as my hands hurt otherwise

@PostMenPatWithACat Nice idea but I’m impatient! I’ve woken up running it today and due to the Covid case in my family I’m staying home

Running it = wanting it! Dictation software is great until it isn’t

@Triedtopayandgo That’s a good tip thank you

Mix the oats in after you've used the processor so they don't get chopped up. Don't over-process or you'll mix the butter in too much and lose the crumbly texture.

When using the processor for the first time making crumble, definitely pulse it so you're in control. You use the same ingredients in the same ratios. I just do the flour and butter in there and stir in oats, sugar and nuts before topping the fruit.

I've always used the food processor for crumble (and pastry - it doesn't matter of you have warm hands as you aren't touching it) and just throw it all in and turn it on, the pats seem fine but you could always add these once it's mixed and just pulse.
It forms crumble not a ball.

Why not just buy a packet of ready-made crumble topping? Easy to sprinkle over with one hand!

Thanks @ditalini - I’m going to try this this afternoon

@EsmeNoteSpelling Probably already been mentioned, but I often just weigh flour butter & sugar into food processor/liquidizer and give it a few pulses until breadcrumbs, then add some hazelnuts and pulse to small pieces or other additions you might want.

Do the same when making scones. Really quick and easy.

I always use the melted butter method. It is crunchy and scrummy, easier on the hands and uses fewer pots so an all round winner.

I vary the quantity depending on number of servings but proportions are same.

For a very small, say 2 person crumble I would first weigh 50g butter and pop it in the microwave. Then weigh out 100g flour and add 50-60g sugar, mixing them together. Add the melted butter and stir with a fork, poking the clumps into smaller clumps. Throw it on top of the prepared fruit, in the oven. Just double up / treble up for bigger crumbles.

Re: fruit, if using cooking apples, I just peel, slice very thinly and add some sugar, no ore-cooking is needed. Guessing you won’t be doing that one handed though, so my easiest option of all is a bag of frozen summer fruit (waitrose essentials). It works great from frozen & is delicious topped with the crunchy crumble.

Soft butter plus flour mixed by electric hand held mixer will get you to breadcrumbs stage then stir in the oats (toasted ) & sugar.

I really want crumble all the time now!

I think if you chop the butter and keep it v cold the food processor could work.

An alternative might be to swap half the flour for ground almonds and make an Eve's pudding instead. Which I now fancy but can't peel the apples at present!

@SillyBub @Chasingsquirrels Great tips thank you

@DoubleTweenQueen thanks for the bonus scones tip! I’m a fairly terrible baker so I’ve never made them but the processor might make it better

@HunkyPunk because I’m isolating and I woken up wanting to eat this today. I am impatient!

@Chewbecca You’re right, no chopping here. I can barely butter bread! But I’ve fruit frozen from my garden from last year that I plan to use. Haven’t tried the melted butter method before but I will thank you

@PostMenPatWithACat wish I could chop - or even spread - butter! One-handed is a pain right?

@Gibbonsgibbonsgibbons Thank you. I don’t have an electric mixer but I do have a processor so that’s what I’m going to go with