Apple Crumble Recipe

Simple & Sweet Apple Crumble Recipe: A Homemade Delight

Baking an irresistible apple crumble brings pure comfort to chilly evenings.

Sweet aromas will drift through your kitchen, promising delightful warmth.

Crisp apples nestled beneath a buttery, golden topping create magic on your plate.

Seasonal ingredients blend seamlessly in this classic dessert that feels like a gentle hug.

Cinnamon and brown sugar mingle, creating a symphony of flavors that dance across your palate.

Home cooks of all skill levels can master this simple yet impressive treat.

You’ll want to savor every delectable spoonful of this nostalgic dessert.

Apple Crumble Worth Baking Again and Again

  • Elevates classic dessert with minimal effort and maximum deliciousness, perfect for satisfying sweet cravings without complicated techniques.
  • Takes just 15 minutes of prep time and 45 minutes of baking, delivering a warm, homemade dessert that feels like a culinary hug.
  • Works brilliantly for casual family dinners, potlucks, holiday gatherings, and impromptu dessert moments with its universally loved flavor profile.
  • Uses affordable, readily available ingredients like apples, pantry staples, and basic baking supplies, making it an economical treat for any home cook.

Essentials for Preparing Apple Crumble at Home

Fruits:
  • Apples: Sweet and tart base of the dessert, choose firm baking varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp.
  • Lemon: Prevents apple browning and adds bright, fresh flavor.
Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Creates structure for the crumble topping.
  • Oats: Adds hearty texture and nutty taste to the topping.
  • Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the apple filling.
  • Brown Sugar: Provides deep caramel notes in the crumble topping.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile.
  • Ground Cinnamon: Warm, classic spice that complements apples.
  • Ground Nutmeg: Adds subtle, aromatic warmth to the filling.
Binding and Fat Ingredients:
  • Butter: Provides rich flavor and creates crumbly texture, use cold for best results.
  • Cornstarch: Thickens apple filling and prevents excess liquid.
  • Non-Stick Spray or Extra Butter: Helps prevent sticking and aids in easy removal from baking dish.

How to Layer and Bake Apple Crumble Easily

Step 1: Slice and Season Apples

Peel and core apples. Cut into thin wedges. Mix apple slices with:
  • Lemon juice
  • Granulated sugar
  • Cinnamon
  • Nutmeg
  • Cornstarch

Toss ingredients until apples are evenly coated.

Step 2: Create Crumbly Topping

In a separate bowl, combine:
  • Flour
  • Oats
  • Brown sugar
  • Cinnamon
  • Salt

Add cold cubed butter. Use fingers or pastry cutter to blend until mixture looks like rough crumbs.

Step 3: Prepare Baking Dish

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.

Step 4: Assemble Crumble

Pour seasoned apple mixture into prepared dish. Spread evenly. Sprinkle crumb topping over apples, ensuring complete coverage.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Bake for 40-45 minutes until topping turns golden brown and filling bubbles around edges. If topping browns too quickly, cover loosely with foil.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Allow crumble to cool briefly. Serve with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or custard for extra deliciousness.

Smart Suggestions for Crisp Topping and Juicy Apples

  • Choose Ripe Apples: Select firm, sweet-tart apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn for the best flavor and texture balance in your crumble.
  • Prevent Apple Browning: Toss apple slices immediately with lemon juice to stop oxidation and maintain their fresh, bright appearance during preparation.
  • Create Perfect Crumble Texture: Use cold butter and work it into dry ingredients with your fingertips for a light, crispy topping that doesn't become dense or tough.
  • Control Sweetness Levels: Adjust sugar quantities based on apple variety- tart apples need more sugar, while sweeter varieties require less to maintain balanced flavor.
  • Enhance Baking Performance: Place baking dish on a rimmed sheet pan to catch any potential drips and prevent messy oven spills during the crumble's baking process.

Keep Apple Crumble Fresh Using These Storage Tricks

  • Store leftover apple crumble in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent moisture loss and maintain freshness.
  • Wrap the cooled crumble securely in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen apple crumble can last up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
  • Warm the crumble in a preheated 350F oven for 15-20 minutes. Cover with foil to prevent excessive browning and help retain moisture. This method helps restore the crispy topping and warm, gooey filling.
  • For quick reheating, zap individual servings for 30-45 seconds. Note that microwaving might soften the crumble topping, so follow with a brief oven stint if you want extra crispness.
  • A classic scoop of cold, smooth vanilla ice cream perfectly balances the warm, spiced apple crumble, creating a delightful temperature and flavor contrast that melts in your mouth.
  • Enhance the dessert's sweetness by adding a rich caramel sauce drizzled over the top, which intensifies the apple's natural sugars and adds a luxurious depth to each bite.
  • The warm, aromatic spices in a chai latte- like cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger- beautifully echo the similar spices in the apple crumble, creating a harmonious and comforting flavor experience.
  • For adult palates, a smooth aged bourbon provides a sophisticated counterpoint to the dessert, its oakiness and subtle warmth complementing the sweet, baked apple notes.

Adjusting Apple Crumble with Different Fruit or Nuts

Gluten-Free Crumble: Replace regular flour with almond flour or gluten-free oat flour. Use certified gluten-free oats to ensure no cross-contamination.

Vegan Apple Delight: Swap butter with coconut oil or vegan margarine. Use maple syrup or coconut sugar instead of traditional sugars for natural sweetness.

Low-Sugar Option: Reduce sugar content by using stevia or monk fruit sweetener. Add extra cinnamon and nutmeg to enhance natural apple flavors without increasing calories.

Nutty Protein Boost: Mix chopped almonds, pecans, or walnuts into the crumble topping. This adds protein, creates extra crunch, and introduces rich, toasted flavor to the classic dessert.

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Apple Crumble Recipe

Apple Crumble Recipe


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4.6 from 20 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Scrumptious Homemade Apple Crumble delivers classic comfort with sweet cinnamon-spiced apples nestled beneath a golden, buttery oat topping. Warm dessert servers share pure nostalgia, inviting you to savor each delightful spoonful of this timeless autumn treat.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 6 apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or mix), peeled, cored, and sliced
  • 1 cup (125 grams / 4.4 ounces) all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup (115 grams / 4 ounces) unsalted butter, melted
  • ½ cup (50 grams / 1.8 ounces) rolled oats

Sugars and Sweeteners:

  • ¼ cup (50 grams / 1.8 ounces) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (100 grams / 3.5 ounces) brown sugar

Spices and Seasonings:

  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

Instructions

  1. Transform crisp apples into delicate, tantalizingly sweet wedges by meticulously peeling and coring them. Gently bathe the apple slices in zesty lemon juice, then lavishly coat with a harmonious blend of granulated sugar, warming cinnamon, aromatic nutmeg, and cornstarch to ensure a lusciously thickened filling.
  2. Craft the crumble topping by amalgamating flour, hearty oats, rich brown sugar, fragrant cinnamon, and a whisper of salt in a mixing vessel. Introduce cold, cubed butter and delicately massage the ingredients together using fingertips or a pastry cutter until the mixture transforms into rustic, uneven crumbs.
  3. Ignite the oven to a precise 350F (175C). Generously lubricate a baking vessel with butter or non-stick spray. Elegantly distribute the apple mixture across the dish, creating an even layer that promises delectable consistency.
  4. Tenderly cascade the crumble topping over the apple foundation, ensuring complete coverage that will develop a golden, crisp exterior during baking. Position the dish in the preheated oven and allow it to bake for approximately 40-45 minutes, watching for a burnished top and effervescent edges.
  5. Upon removal, permit the apple crumble a brief moment to settle and cool. Serve alongside a luxurious accompaniment of vanilla ice cream, billowy whipped cream, or velvety custard to elevate this quintessential dessert experience.

Notes

  • Slice apples uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dessert.
  • Choose firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best balance of sweetness and structure in the filling.
  • Keep butter extremely cold when making the crumble topping to achieve a perfect, crispy, and flaky texture that doesn’t become greasy.
  • Dust the crumble with powdered sugar just before serving for an elegant finishing touch that adds a subtle sweetness and professional presentation.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: British

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 310
  • Sugar: 22 g
  • Sodium: 130 mg
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 45 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Daves Miller

Daves Miller

Contributing Chef & Culinary Educator

Expertise

  • American Southern cuisine with a modern twist.
  • Instruction in culinary fundamentals and advanced techniques.
  • Development of recipes that highlight seasonal and local produce.​
  • Mastery of artisanal bread and pastry techniques, from laminated doughs to decorative sugar artistry.

Education

Sullivan University, Louisville, Kentucky

  • Degree: Associate of Science Degree in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Specialized in cooking techniques and culinary sciences, hands‑on externships, professional kitchen lab training, and career preparation for restaurants, entrepreneurship, and global culinary opportunities.

White Mountains Community College, Berlin, New Hampshire

  • Program: Baking and Pastry Arts degree
  • Focus: Specialized in comprehensive baking and pastry arts, including bread making, artisan breads, cake decorating and design, chocolates, confections, and decorative centerpieces; product development and baking theory; and career preparation for baker and pastry chef roles in many places.

Daves is the friendly face guiding you through flavorful, fuss-free recipes at Picture Perfect Meals. 

He studied culinary arts at Sullivan University and embraced Baking and Pastry Arts at White Mountains Community College. Daves specializes in comforting meals with vibrant flavors, highlighting fresh, seasonal ingredients.

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