Apple crumble in a serving dish

Apple crumble

Name: Apple crumble
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Yield: Serves 6
Cuisine: British
Ingredients: 1kg bramley apples peeled; 1/2 lemon juiced; 175g golden caster sugar; 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon; custard or ice cream to serve; 350g plain flour; 175g salted butter chilled and diced; 100g golden caster sugar

Amanda James

Published: August 3, 2021 at 4:40 PM

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Serves 6

Easy

Total time: 1 hr and 15 mins

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Discover how to make an apple crumble. This classic comforting dessert is a firm family favourite and you won't go wrong with our easiest ever recipe

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Apple crumble is one of our most loved puddings and is incredibly simple to make. Try this classic apple crumble recipe or check out our boozy apple crumble, vegan apple crumble, apple crumble cake, apple and blackberry crumble and healthy apple crumble.

For more fruity crumble recipes check out our plum crumble, nectarine crumble, fruit crumble and rhubarb crumble, best served with a jug of our homemade custard.

For more indulgent puddings, check out our bread pudding, hot cross bun bread and butter pudding and chocolate bread and butter pudding.

What is the origin of apple crumble?

Crumble was thought to originate during the 1940s in Britain as a quick and easy pudding. It uses the same ingredients as sweet pastry (flour, butter and sugar) and the method of rubbing the butter into the flour is the same but instead of bringing it together to a dough with liquid it’s just scattered over the filling and baked, keeping its short, crumbly texture.

Which apples should you use in a crumble?

Apple crumble traditionally uses Bramley cooking apples which bring a nice tartness to contrast to the sweet topping. Bramleys also cook to a lovely softness – if you want more texture in your crumble you could use a mix of cooking and eating apples as eating apples will keep their shape after cooking. The apples don’t need pre-cooking before you assemble the crumble, just peel and cut into chunks or wedges then scatter the topping and bake.

How to make a crumble topping

The basic topping mix can be adapted in lots of different ways. Try adding rolled oats or chopped walnuts, almonds or hazelnuts. Swap in demerara sugar for traditional caster for an caramelly crunchy topping or try mixing in dark chocolate chips for extra indulgence.

When making the crumble mix try to keep everything as cool as possible as you would making pastry. Use chilled diced butter straight from the fridge and if rubbing it in with your fingers, stop when you have a mix of small and large rubbly pieces – this will give your crumble extra texture. You can also tip the ingredients into a food processer then just use the pulse button until you reach the right texture.

Which spices are used in an apple crumble?

Spices are often used in both the filling and topping. The most traditional is cinnamon which goes beautifully with apple but other warming spices such as nutmeg, ground allspice, mixed spice and even ground cardamom can work really well. Start with a couple of pinches if you are experimenting then increase to your liking.

Easy apple crumble recipe

Ingredients

Nutrition

1kg bramley apples

peeled
1/2 lemon

juiced
175g golden caster sugar
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
custard or ice cream

to serve

CRUMBLE

350g plain flour
175g salted butter

chilled and diced
100g golden caster sugar

Nutrition: per serving

kcal689
fat25.3g
saturates15.6g
carbs106.4g
sugars61.8g
fibre5.2g
protein6.2g
salt0.5g

Method

step 1

To make the crumble, put the flour and butter in a food processor and pulse to rough breadcrumbs. Stir in the sugar and a big pinch of salt.
step 2

Heat the oven to 190C/fan 170C/gas 5. Cut the apples into quarters and remove the cores. Thickly slice and toss with the lemon juice, 150g of the sugar and the cinnamon. Put the apples in an ovenproof dish and scatter over the crumble mix, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle over the rest of the sugar.
step 3

Bake for 40 minutes or until golden on top and bubbling around the edges. Serve with custard or ice cream.

Try these 6 twists on a classic apple crumble:

Toffee apple crumble

This levelled-up apple crumble features crunchy hazelnuts and a coating of rich caramel over soft chunks of apple.

Apple crumble cake

We've combined the comfort of an apple crumble with a fluffy sponge to create this autumnal fruit pudding. Serve this sheet cake with custard or cream for added indulgence

Vegan apple crumble

All you need to do is swap butter for melted coconut oil to make a totally dairy-free (and egg-free) apple crumble. This one is flavoured with warming cinnamon

Healthy apple crumble

A healthier take on classic apple crumble, this recipe tops soft cinnamon apples with a refined sugar-free granola (which also makes a brilliant breakfast)

Apple and blackberry crumble

This autumnal dessert is a true celebration of seasonal produce. Pair tangy apples with tart blackberries for a comforting pud the whole family will love. Ready in just an hour, it's delicious with a scoop of vanilla ice cream

Boozy apple crumble

Make apple crumble even better with a great big slosh of bourbon. You'll be all rosy-cheeked and merry after a helping of this cosy pud!

Authors

Amanda James

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