Baking with Kids: Easy Blueberry/Fruit Crumble Slice

We're all struggling to find things for our children to do during this extended break. And whilst we are working on some homeschooling, we felt it important to do things with the kids that they can only experience while at home with us. Activities that are special, enjoyable and of course, delicious!

So over the next few weeks I will be posting some of my adapted to the scant pantry and messy little chefs - recipes that we've come up with that have actually worked. 

The first is this super easy, cheap and simple, really tasty crumble slice. I love the flexibility of this one. Now, I used blueberries because they were sitting in the back of our freezer, but you could use any fresh or frozen fruit you have lying around. Just make sure the pieces are cut quite small so they turn into a jammy middle layer when baked. 

BLUEBERRY/FRUIT CRUMBLE SLICE:

Crumble base and topping:

·       250 g plain/all purpose flour

·       100 g rolled oats (or just extra 100 g of flour if you haven't got rolled oats)

·       1 tsp baking powder

·       1 tsp cinnamon (if you have it)

·       230 g cold butter cut into small cubes

·       150-200 g sugar depending on your preference

·       1/2 tsp salt

·       1 large egg beaten

Blueberry Filling:

·       450 g blueberries or any frozen or fresh fruit (cut small)

·       100 g sugar (can use less if you're trying to reduce sugar intake)

·       3 tsp cornstarch

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 190c/375f. Grease and line a 32.5cm (12.8") x 18.5cm (7.3") tray with baking parchment and put to one side.

2. Make your crumble. Place the flour, oats (if you have them) baking powder, cinnamon and cold butter cubes in a large bowl. Your kids will love this sensory mess: Rub the butter into the flour and oats using your fingertips until the mix resembles breadcrumbs. Don't worry if you have some large chunks in there - it adds to the texture. Add in the sugar, the salt, egg and vanilla extract, then give it a mix with your hands. Take approx. half of this mixture and place it into your prepared baking tray. Flatten the mixture down and squash it to the edges and corners with hands or the back of a spoon.

3. Take a medium sized bowl and add your blueberries/fruit, sugar and cornstarch. Mix together gently and then layer this mixture on top of your crumble base evenly. Sprinkle the remaining crumble mixture on top of the blueberries and place in the oven to cook for 40 minutes - until the topping looks golden brown. 

4. Take out of the oven and leave to cool in the tin before gently lifting the slice out of the tray using the edges of baking parchment onto a cutting board. Cut the bake into whatever size pieces you prefer.

The kids really enjoyed this one, especially getting in there with their hands. And I just had to bite my tongue at all the mess, which is definitely something I am homeschooling myself on. Let me know how you get on with this recipe :)