Apple Crumble

Last winter, my kitchen smelled like cinnamon for three days straight because I refused to stop making this crumble until I got the texture exactly right. My roommate stopped complaining about the dishes when she tasted what came out of the oven. Now it is the first thing anyone asks for when the temperature drops below freezing.

I brought this to a dinner party where nobody knew each other and watched a room full of strangers bond over seconds. There is something about warm fruit dessert that makes people forget their awkwardness and start talking about their grandmothers.

Ingredients

• 6 medium apples: Granny Smith or Braeburn hold their shape beautifully and provide the tartness that cuts through all that sweet buttery topping
• 60 g granulated sugar: Just enough to coax out the natural juices without making the filling cloyingly sweet
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon: The warming spice that makes your entire house smell like comfort
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg: A subtle background note that rounds out the cinnamon beautifully
• 1 tbsp lemon juice: Prevents the apples from turning brown and adds brightness that cuts the richness
• 1 tbsp all-purpose flour: Helps thicken those delicious apple juices as they bubble up
• 125 g all-purpose flour: The base of your crumble that creates those irresistible nuggets of crispiness
• 100 g unsalted butter: Must be cold and cubed because this is what creates that perfect rubble texture everyone fights over
• 100 g light brown sugar: Adds a deeper caramel flavor and helps the topping get beautifully golden
• 50 g rolled oats: Optional but highly recommended for that extra texture that makes people ask what your secret is
• Pinch of salt: Wakes up all the flavors and keeps the sweetness from becoming one-note

Instructions

Get your oven ready:

Preheat to 180°C and butter your baking dish now so you are not scrambling later

Prep the apple filling:

Toss those sliced apples with sugar, spices, lemon juice, and flour until every piece is coated

Build the crumble:

Mix flour, brown sugar, oats, and salt then rub in cold butter with your fingertips until it looks like coarse crumbs

Assemble:

Spread apples in your dish and scatter that crumble topping evenly over the top like a blanket

Bake:

Let it go for 35 to 40 minutes until you see golden brown perfection and bubbling fruit

The waiting game:

Cool for about 15 minutes because hot filling will burn your mouth and ruin the experience

Pin It

This recipe has saved me more times than I can count when unexpected guests show up or I need to bring something to a potluck. It never fails to make people feel taken care of.

Getting The Fruit Right

Peeling apples can feel tedious but taking those extra minutes pays off in texture. I learned this the hard way when I tried to skip it and ended up with weird papery bits in my perfect dessert.

Making It Your Own

Half pears and half apples create this beautiful complexity that people notice without being able to put their finger on why it tastes so good. A handful of toasted walnuts in the topping never hurt anyone either.

Serving Suggestions

Vanilla ice cream melts into those crevices and creates this incredible custard-like sauce at the bottom. Warm custard poured over the top is the British way and honestly they know what they are doing.

• Let it rest for at least ten minutes before serving so it sets slightly
• The leftovers reheat beautifully and somehow taste even better the next day
• This freezes exceptionally well if you want to get ahead

Pin It

There is nothing quite like watching people serve themselves seconds of something you made with your own hands.

Recipe Questions & Answers

→ What apples work best for crumble?

Tart varieties like Granny Smith or Braeburn hold their shape beautifully during baking while providing a lovely contrast to the sweet crumble topping. Their firm texture prevents the filling from becoming too mushy.

→ Can I make apple crumble ahead of time?

Yes! Assemble the entire crumble up to a day in advance and refrigerate unbaked. Add 5-10 minutes to the baking time if baking straight from the refrigerator. Leftovers keep well for 2-3 days when refrigerated.

→ How do I know when the crumble is done?

The crumble is ready when the topping is evenly golden brown and you see the apple filling bubbling up around the edges. This usually takes 35-40 minutes at 180°C.

→ What can I serve with apple crumble?

Warm vanilla custard, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or lightly sweetened whipped cream are classic accompaniments. The warmth of the crumble paired with cold custard or ice cream creates a wonderful temperature contrast.

→ Can I use other fruits in the crumble?

Absolutely! Try replacing half the apples with pears for a different flavor profile. You can also make pure berry, plum, or peach crumbles using the same topping mixture.