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Apple Crumble Recipe

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This classic apple crumble features tender, spiced apples topped with a golden, buttery crumble that’s crispy on the outside and tender within. Simple to make yet impressive to serve, it’s the perfect comfort dessert for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Apple Filling:

  • 6-7 medium apples (about 2.5-3 lbs), peeled, cored, and sliced ¼-inch thick
  • ⅓ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
  • Pinch of salt

For the Crumble Topping:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
  • ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cold and cubed into small pieces

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray and set aside.
  2. Prepare the apple filling: In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, granulated sugar, flour, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla (if using), and a pinch of salt. Toss everything together until the apples are evenly coated. Transfer the apple mixture to your prepared baking dish, spreading it out in an even layer.
  3. Make the crumble topping: In a separate large bowl, whisk together the flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt until well combined.
  4. Cut in the butter: Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter, two forks, or your fingertips, work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized pieces of butter throughout. The mixture should be crumbly but hold together when squeezed. Don’t overmix—you want those buttery pockets!
  5. Assemble the crumble: Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the apples, covering them completely. Don’t press it down—let it sit loosely on top for maximum crispiness.
  6. Bake: Place the baking dish on the center rack of your preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are bubbling around the edges. If the topping is browning too quickly, tent it loosely with aluminum foil for the last 10-15 minutes.
  7. Cool slightly: Remove from the oven and let the crumble cool for at least 10-15 minutes before serving. This allows the filling to thicken slightly and makes serving easier.
  8. Serve and enjoy: Scoop generous portions into bowls and serve warm with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce.

Notes

  • Apple varieties: For best results, use a combination of tart and sweet apples. Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, and Gala all work wonderfully.
  • Don’t skip the lemon juice: It prevents browning and balances the sweetness perfectly.
  • Cold butter is key: Make sure your butter is cold when making the topping. This creates the best crumbly texture.
  • Customize the sweetness: If your apples are very tart, add an extra tablespoon or two of sugar to the filling. If they’re super sweet, reduce the sugar slightly.
  • Gluten-free option: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and ensure your oats are certified gluten-free.

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