A baked dessert consisting of a fruit filling encased in pastry, usually topped with a crumbly combination of butter, flour, and sugar. It represents a confluence of textures and flavors, combining the gentle, yielding fruit with a crisp, candy topping and a sturdy base. Variants make the most of numerous fruits like apples and berries, showcasing regional variations and seasonal availability.
This dessert enjoys widespread enchantment because of its comforting familiarity and relative ease of preparation. Its inherent versatility permits for personalisation primarily based on particular person preferences and dietary wants, from gluten-free variations to modifications in sweetness ranges. Traditionally, such baked items served as a method of preserving fruit harvests and offering sustenance throughout leaner months, evolving right into a celebratory indulgence.