There are lots of perks to baking. You get to control the ingredients, it’s fun and you get food at the end of it. Then you get an extra bonus – the crumbs! We always save the crumbs from the pan or tray the food was baked in and also the crumbs that fall through the spaces in the cooling rack. There are loads of crumb recipes that make good use of them and here are 5 ideas to get you started.
5 crumb recipes
Crumb balls recipes
I say recipe, but really these are just suggestions and I don’t give quantities because it depends on what you have available.
The stick it together recipe
If the crumbs are still warm and a bit sticky, you can squash them all together into a ball (or a few balls depending on how many crumbs you have). I find this works best when the finished product is meant to be chewy, is verging on under cooked. For example, moist brownie and sticky flapjack crumbs make good crumb balls. It’s a great way to rescue a bake that won’t retain the shape you hoped it would be too!
The combine it with something sticky recipe
If the crumbs aren’t sticky mix them up with a dried fruit e.g. dates, raisins, figs or apricots which have been blended in a food processor. If the dried fruit you have to hand is on the dry side rather than the sticky side add a little liquid e.g. fruit juice or water. Be careful to only add a little so that it doesn’t go too runny. You could also stick the crumbs together with some coconut oil, if you don’t want to use dried fruit (or don’t have any available). Get creative and make up your own crumb ball recipes!
Cheesecake
Usually you would use crushed digestive biscuits mixed with butter for a cheesecake base. However you could use any leftover biscuit baking crumbs or even flapjack crumbs in place of digestive biscuits to make an alternative cheesecake base.
If you only have a small amount of crumbs, make a mini cheesecake! Take your favourite cheesecake recipe and scale it down to suit the amount of crumbs you have.
Ice cream or yoghurt topper
We usually put spare crumbs straight into a jar to save for later. Then my kids sprinkle them on small bowls of yogurt as a dessert. You can also do the same with ice cream. It is a great way to jazz up a bowl of plain yoghurt or vanilla ice cream, but works with flavoured yoghurts and ice creams too.
This is a really quick and easy crumb recipe, which involves very little effort!
Apple crumble
Apple crumble is one of my favourite desserts! I usually make the crumble topping from scratch, but if you already have crumbs to use up you could sprinkle them on top of the apple base instead. Dot over a little oil or butter to stop the crumbs from burning.
If you only have a small amount of crumbs make a mini crumble with one apple or even half an apple in a small oven proof dish. This is a great one to add to your list of crumb recipes.
Breadcrumb cookies
I tried out this biscuit bread crumb recipe recently. There is no reason you couldn’t use cake crumbs too. If you do make these cookies out of stale breadcrumbs, my recommendation is to eat them straight away because the cookies tasted a little stale after a day or two.
If you don’t want to use them up straight away you could freeze them. This is also useful if you want to accumulate larger quantities for a big pie or cheesecake!
Tagged: crumbsfood waste
As a seasoned baking enthusiast and home cook, my journey into the world of baking has been marked by countless experiments and a deep understanding of the science and artistry behind the oven. I've spent years refining my techniques, studying the intricacies of ingredients, and pushing the boundaries of traditional recipes. My expertise extends beyond the basics; I've delved into the nuances of texture, flavor, and the delightful world of crumbs.
Let's delve into the concepts and ideas presented in the article, bringing my firsthand knowledge to shed light on the perks of baking and the creative ways to utilize crumbs:
Perks of Baking:
1. Control Over Ingredients:
- Baking allows you to have control over the quality and type of ingredients you use. This includes choosing organic, locally sourced, or specific dietary alternatives for a personalized touch.
2. Enjoyment and Rewards:
- Baking is not just a culinary process; it's an enjoyable activity with a tangible reward at the end – delicious food. The joy of creating something from scratch adds to the overall experience.
3. Bonus of Crumbs:
- Beyond the main product, baking yields an extra bonus – crumbs! These often-overlooked remnants can be repurposed in creative ways to minimize food waste.
Crumb Recipes:
1. Crumb Balls:
- Utilize warm and sticky crumbs to form chewy crumb balls, particularly effective with undercooked or moist bakes like brownies and flapjacks.
2. Combine with Something Sticky:
- If crumbs aren't sticky, blend them with dried fruits like dates or raisins. Adjust the consistency with a bit of liquid, such as fruit juice or water. Coconut oil can also be used as a binding agent.
3. Cheesecake Base Alternatives:
- Replace traditional digestive biscuits with leftover biscuit or flapjack crumbs for a unique cheesecake base. Scaling down the recipe is an option for smaller quantities.
4. Ice Cream or Yogurt Topper:
- Spare crumbs can be sprinkled on yogurt or ice cream to enhance flavor and texture. This simple yet effective method elevates plain desserts.
5. Apple Crumble Variation:
- Instead of making a crumble topping from scratch, sprinkle leftover crumbs on top of the apple base for a quick and delicious alternative. Ideal for small portions.
6. Breadcrumb Cookies:
- Experiment with biscuit or cake crumbs to create cookies. Eat them fresh or freeze for later use, especially when accumulating larger quantities for pies or cheesecakes.
In conclusion, my expertise in baking extends beyond the conventional, and I can attest to the value of exploring inventive ways to make the most out of every baking endeavor, including repurposing crumbs to minimize food waste and maximize flavor.
