Apricot Crumble

For a buttery apricot crumble slice made with apricot jam and an optional handful of chopped dried apricots.

Ingredients

• 250 gm butter, very cold or frozen
• 3 cups flour
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 rounded teaspoons baking powder
• Pinch of salt
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 small jar apricot jam
• Optional: chopped dried apricots

Method

1. Preheat oven to 180°C.
2. Grease a baking tin or Pyrex dish well.
3. Grate the very cold or frozen butter into the flour.
4. Add the sugar, baking powder, and salt.
5. Rub the ingredients together well until the mixture looks like coarse breadcrumbs.
6. Halve the crumb mixture.
7. Add the beaten egg to one half of the mixture and combine.
8. Press the egg-enriched mixture into the greased tin or Pyrex dish to form the base.
9. Spread the apricot jam evenly over the pastry base.
10. Add chopped dried apricots over the jam, if using.
11. Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture evenly over the apricot jam.
12. Bake for about 30 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden.
13. Allow to cool slightly before slicing.

Notes

• Frozen butter makes grating easier.
• Do not overwork the crumble mixture; it should stay coarse and crumbly.
• The dried apricots are optional, but they give the filling more texture and a stronger apricot flavour.