I gotta say, I’m not a dessert guy. I never really have been but when a dessert is dropped in front of me I won’t turn it down especially when its something as simple, rustic and tasty as a crumble. I do have a soft spot for chocolate fondant but I’m buggered if I’m making it…leave that to the pros!

This recipe is another from my Dad’s expanding repertoire ( I swear he’s in competition with me these days…and doing well!)

Serves 6-8 depending on how sweet the teeth at the table are

300grms flour
150grms unsalted butter
180grms caster sugar
5 cooking apples peeled, sliced and cored
5 ripe pears peeled, sliced and cored
2 tbs Brandy
2 tps cinnamon
2 star anise

Kick off my mixing the flour, butter and 100grms of the sugar in a processor – mix into what will look like bread crumbs – set aside, this is you crumble topping.

Butter up a gratin dish and sling in the pears, apples and the rest of the sugar. Sprinkle over the brandy and crack in the star ainse and finally the cinnamon.

Finally top the fruit with the crumble mix and bake in a medium-hot oven for 35-40minutes.

Make sure this is served with something freezing cold like vanilla ice cream or hot like a really good custard.

Thanks Da!!