The Best Quince Marzipan Crumble Recipe – Tart And Crisp

Quince crumble is a classic Autumn dessert that is loved by many, and for good reason. The combination of sweet and tart quince with a crunchy crumble topping is simply irresistible. But have you ever tried adding marzipan to the mix?

This twist on the traditional recipe takes the quince crumble to a whole new level, with the addition of the nutty and sweet marzipan adding a new depth of flavour and texture to the dish. In this blog post, we’ll show you how to make the best quince marzipan crumble recipe that is both tart and crisp.

Ingredients For Quince Crumble

• 90 g Honey (¼ Cup)
• Juice of 1 orange
• Juice of ½ Lemon
• 2 tsp Vanilla Bean Paste
• 160 g Caster Sugar or Brown Sugar
• 10 Small Ripe Quince or 5 large Quince (Peeled, cored and cut into small pieces)
• 150 g Plain Flour
• 120 g Marzipan (broken into small pieces)
• 100 g Unsalted Butter (Cold – Cut into cubes)
• 25 g Flaked Almonds
• ¼ tsp Salt

How to make a quince fruit crumble with marzipan.

STEP1 : Preheat the oven to 200℃/180℃ Fan. Mix the honey , orange juice, lemon juice, vanilla bean paste, and half the caster sugar in a bowl until smooth.

STEP 2: Add the quince pieces to the oven dish and pour the juice mixture over the top. Mix through. Cover with tin foil and bake for about 50 minutes until tender and have a lovely pink/ orange colour. Leave to cool for 10 minutes.

STEP 3: Meanwhile make the crumble. Mix the flour, marzipan, salt and the remaining sugar in a mixer or food processor until it forms fine crumbs. You can also use your finger tips to do this. Add the butter and mix again until clumps form then add the flaked almonds.

STEP 4: Spread on a tray lined with baking paper and freeze for 10 minutes.

STEP 5: Sprinkle the crumble on top of the quince mixture, then bake for 30 – 35 minutes until the crumble is golden brown.

Serve with a dollop of crème fraiche.

Variations

Here are some variations to quince crumble that you might want to try:

1. Pear and quince crumble: Add some sliced pears to the quince mixture for a delicious twist on the classic recipe. The sweetness of the pears pairs well with the tartness of the quince and are in the same season as quinces.
2. Almond and quince crumble: Swap out the marzipan for chopped almonds for a nutty twist on the recipe. You could also add a bit of almond extract to the crumble topping for even more flavour.
3. Ginger and quince crumble: Add some chopped crystallized ginger to the quince mixture for a spicy kick. You could also add a bit of ground ginger to the crumble topping for extra flavour.
4. Coconut and quince crumble: Add some shredded coconut to the crumble topping for a tropical twist on the classic recipe. You could also add some coconut milk to the quince mixture for a richer flavour.
5. Quince and Apple crumble: Add some sliced apples to the quince mixture for a classic combination that never fails. The sweetness of the apples pairs well with the tartness of the quince.

Serving Suggestions

There are a variety of serving suggestions that would pair well with a quince marzipan crumble. Here are a few ideas:

Vanilla ice cream: The cool and creamy vanilla ice cream is the perfect complement to the warm and crunchy crumble. The combination of flavors and textures is simply heavenly.

Whipped cream: A dollop of homemade whipped cream on top of the crumble is always a good idea. It adds a light and airy texture to the dish, and the sweetness of the cream pairs well with the tartness of the quince.

Caramel sauce: Drizzling a bit of caramel sauce over the crumble adds a rich and indulgent flavor to the dish. The sweetness of the caramel pairs well with the nutty flavor of the marzipan.

Fresh berries: Adding a handful of fresh berries, such as raspberries or blackberries, to the side of the dish adds a pop of colour and freshness. The tartness of the berries complements the tartness of the quince, and the sweetness of the crumble and marzipan balance out the flavours.

Crème Fraiche : A slightly sour thick cream that compliments the tartness of the quince fruit.

Top Tips

Here are some top tips to keep in mind when making quince marzipan crumble:

1. Choose ripe quinces: For the best flavour and texture, it’s important to use ripe quinces. Look for ones that are fragrant, have a yellowish-green colour, and are slightly soft to the touch. The quince trees are usually ready to harvest in Autumn in the UK.
2. Use high-quality marzipan: The marzipan is an important component of this recipe, so it’s worth investing in a high-quality brand. Look for marzipan that is made with a high percentage of almonds and has a smooth texture.
3. Mix the crumble topping well: To ensure that the crumble topping is evenly mixed and has a good texture, use your fingers to rub the butter into the flour and sugar mixture until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs and freeze for 10 minutes.
4. Pre-cook the quinces: Quinces can be quite tough, so it’s important to pre-cook them before adding them to the crumble as stated in the recipe
5. Bake until golden brown: Keep an eye on the crumble as it bakes, and remove it from the oven when it is golden brown and crispy on top. This will ensure that it has a good texture and flavour.
6. Keep the cores and peelings: Don’t discard the quince peelings and cores. Put them in a pot with some water and boil until mushy then strain over some muslin cloth to make quince jelly.