Apple crumble is a delicious, easy, and timeless dessert, perfect for any season, though it truly shines in autumn. As popular as the classic crème brûlée orchocolate lava cake, this dessert has stood the test of time, delighting generations without ever going out of style.
Its success lies in its simplicity: quick to prepare and made with basic ingredients you always have on hand such as apples, butter, flour, and sugar.
How can you resist the tender, melt-in-your-mouth apples combined with the golden, crispy crumble topping delicately flavored with cinnamon and vanilla? Served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of cream, homemade apple crumble is the perfect way to end any meal simply and deliciously.
It’s also an excellent idea when you want to whip up a quick dessert without spending hours in the kitchen. This comforting classic, soft, crunchy, and full of flavor, is perfect after a family meal for a light, fruity finish.
Quick and easy apple crumble
Table of Contents
Which apples to choose?
I like to use Golden or Pink Lady apples, but if you prefer a more tart touch, opt for Granny Smith.
In any case, no matter which variety you choose, your crumble will always be delicious.
Simply choose firm apples, so they don’t turn into applesauce when cooked. The pieces should remain tender while holding their shape well.
How to prepare the best apple crumble ?
My little tip
The recipe is not complicated, but you need to find the right balance between the apple layer and the crumble topping. With each bite, you should find both the tenderness of the fruit and the golden crispness of the topping.
If you put too many apples and too thin a layer of crumble to compensate, the base will become soggy and lose all its crispness.
To get a perfect apple crumble, I prepare the crumble topping and, instead of putting it all on the apples, I divide it in two. One part is crumbled over the fruit, and the other is baked separately on a baking sheet.
Instead of using one large dish, prepare two smaller ones. Sprinkle half of the crumble topping over the apples and bake.
Once the crumble is baked, add the second portion of crumble topping, previously browned in the oven, on top. Result: a dessert that’s tender on the inside and incredibly crispy on the outside.
easy apple crumble
Video Recipe
Ingredients:
NB: You can print out the recipe card at the end of the article.
For 4 or 6 servings
- 125 g ( 4.4 oz )brown sugar
- 4 or 6 apples
- 125 g all-purpose flour ( 4.4 oz ) or 100 g flour ( 3.5 oz ) and 25 g almond flour ( 0.9 oz )
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
- 125 g unsalted butter ( 4.4 oz )
Preparation steps:
You can prepare the crumble topping in advance and keep it in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
In a bowl or using a food processor, combine the flour, sugar, butter, and cinnamon until the mixture has a sandy, crumbly texture. If working by hand, use your fingertips to rub the ingredients together until it resembles coarse crumbs.
You can prepare the crumble topping in advance and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use it.
Butter two small gratin dishes or one large dish. If using six apples, you’ll need three small gratin dishes.
Peel the apples, remove the core and seeds, and cut them into large chunks directly in the dishes.
Top the apples with a generous layer of crumble, breaking it up with your fingertips to create a crumbly texture.
Tip: You can grate the dough using a coarse grater after chilling it in the refrigerator for about an hour.
Bake for 30 to 45 minutes, until the crumble topping is golden brown.
Crumble the rest of the crumble topping onto a baking sheet and bake it separately until golden brown.
Once the apple crumble and the separately baked crumble topping are done, remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly on a wire rack.
Sprinkle the crumble with the crispy topping, creating a generous layer.
Serve warm or cold, optionally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of cream for extra indulgence.
Apple crumble is best enjoyed as soon as it’s ready. Ideally, serve it warm, though it’s still delicious when cold.
To fully appreciate the crisp topping, try to eat it within a few hours of baking; after that, the crumbs may soften.
If you’d like to prepare in advance, the crumble topping can be made several days ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or frozen for several months.
However, slice the apples at the last moment to prevent them from browning.
Apple recipe ideas :
Perfect apple crumble recipe
INGREDIENTS
For 4 or 6 servings
- 125 g brown sugar
- 4 or 6 apples
- 125 g all-purpose flour or 100 g flour and 25 g almond flour ( 0.9 oz )
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon optional
- 125 g unsalted butter
PREPARATION
- You can prepare the crumble topping in advance and keep it in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
- In a bowl or using a food processor, combine the flour, sugar, butter, and cinnamon until the mixture has a sandy, crumbly texture. If working by hand, use your fingertips to rub the ingredients together until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- You can prepare the crumble topping in advance and store it in the refrigerator until you're ready to use it.
- Butter two small gratin dishes or one large dish. If using six apples, you'll need three small gratin dishes.
- Peel the apples, remove the core and seeds, and cut them into large chunks directly in the dishes.
- Top the apples with a generous layer of crumble, breaking it up with your fingertips to create a crumbly texture.
- Tip: You can grate the dough using a coarse grater after chilling it in the refrigerator for about an hour.
- Bake for 30 to 45 minutes, until the crumble topping is golden brown.
- Crumble the rest of the crumble topping onto a baking sheet and bake it separately until golden brown.
- Once the apple crumble and the separately baked crumble topping are done, remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly on a wire rack.
- Sprinkle the crumble with the crispy topping, creating a generous layer.
- Serve warm or cold, optionally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of cream for extra indulgence.
Notes
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