Apple Crumble

Apple Crumble - Tart and tender apples covered in a simple streusel topping for an easy dessert that can be prepped in minutes.

Most apple crumble recipes tell you to cut in cold butter, but after years of testing  (and the knockout success of my easy blueberry crumble), I've made this melted butter method my go-to. Not only is it faster and simpler, but it produces the most delicious streusel topping, with buttery, crisp clusters that melt in your mouth without any fiddly techniques.

This is my favorite easy dessert for weeknight dinners when I don't have a lot of time, but still want a delicious comfort dessert that everyone will love.

Ingredients

This easy apple crumble is great for when you only have a few ingredients but still want to make a comforting dessert.

• Apples - Granny Smiths are my go-to apple to add a lovely crunch and tartness to the crumble. 
  
• Sugar - Granulated white sugar (caster sugar in the UK) creates a lovely syrup when mixed with the sweet apple juices, and it also adds a crunch to the crumble. 
  
• Light Brown Sugar - Using a second sugar adds a deeper, more caramel flavor. 
  
• Flour - All-purpose flour (plain flour) will give some structure to the crumbly topping. You can also use gluten-free flour if that suits you better.
  
• Butter - It's best to use unsalted butter because the salt levels in the crumble can be controlled. If you're using salted butter, skip adding the salt later on. We will be melting the butter, so there's no need to bring it up to room temperature.
  
• Cinnamon - This will add some lovely warm flavors to create a spiced apple filling. I like to use ground cinnamon, but you can use any spices you like here.
  
• Lemon Juice - A little bit of lemon juice helps keep the apples fresh and also adds a touch of acidity to balance out the flavor. 

See the recipe card for measurements in both grams and cups.

Best Apples for Apple Crumble

The type of apples you use can make all the difference in a good crumble recipe! The best apples to use in a crumble are Granny Smith apples because they are slightly tart, so they will balance the sweetness of the crumble nicely. You can also go for Pink Lady Apples or Bramley Apples, or even a mixture of different kinds of apples. 

For the best results, I like using fresh apples so they have a good bite, but this delicious apple crumble recipe can also be made with canned apples, which is especially helpful if you want to make it out of apple season. If using canned apples, make sure you drain off all the liquid from the can first. 

What You'll Need

• Mixing Bowls
• Knife
• Chopping Board
• Wooden Spoon
• 8x8-inch Baking Dish - or double the recipe for a 9x13-inch dish.

How to Make Apple Crumble

In just a few simple steps, you'll have made the queen of apple desserts - a delicious apple crumble that can be enjoyed straight away! I use my classic crumble topping recipe with cinnamon mixed in to top the crisp apples and create the perfect balance of sweet and sour.

Prepare Apples

Peel and core the fresh apples, then chop them up into bite-sized pieces. Place the prepared apples into a large bowl.

Make Apple Filling

Add the sugar, flour, cinnamon, and lemon juice to the chopped apples. Mix everything together to coat the apples.

Set the bowl aside while you prepare the crumble topping.

Dry Ingredients

In a heatproof bowl, melt the butter in the microwave in 30-second bursts until it is completely melted.

In a separate medium bowl, combine the remaining flour, sugar, cinnamon, and salt.

Combine Butter

Pour the melted butter over the dry crumble mixture, and use a fork to mix it in until the flour is completely coated in butter.

Make Apple Crumble Topping

Keep mixing with a fork until the mixture forms large clumps of crumble.

Assemble

Pour the apple chunks into a baking dish and spread them out in an even layer. Use your hands to sprinkle the crunchy topping all over the apple layer - make sure every part of the apples is covered generously in crumble. 

Bake

Bake for 35-40 minutes until the streusel topping is crisp and golden brown, and you can see the apple syrup bubbling at the edges. Remove from the oven and let the crumble sit for 10 minutes before serving - both so you don't burn your tongue, and also to allow the juices to thicken up a little. 

Note: The bake time may vary depending on the size you have cut your apples, so if you leave them in large slices or chunks, add a few more minutes onto the oven time. 

Variations

This apple crumble is a wonderful recipe as is - but here are a few ideas for my favorite ways to customise it:

• Different Fruits - This crumble topping works wonderfully with so many kinds of juicy fruit. You can pair the tart apples with pears, rhubarb, plums, or blackberries, or simply swap them out for something completely different - try my blueberry crumble recipe!
  
• Granola Topping - Dessert for breakfast? Yes please. Adding some rolled oats, chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans, and a drizzle of honey to your crumble topping will add a delicious flavor and crunchy texture.
  
• Spices - Make your apple crumble the ultimate comforting dessert by adding in some extra spices. A dash of ground ginger, cardamom, or allspice will bring a lovely warmth to the flavor.
  
• Apple Crisp - Add in some rolled oats to your crumble topping to turn it into a delicious apple crisp recipe. See my peach crisp recipe for ideas!
  
• Apple Pie - You can easily turn this recipe into a scrumptious apple crumble pie by baking it in a flaky pie crust instead of a baking dish. 
  
• Individual Portions - You can also bake this recipe in small ramekins to make each one an individual serving of crumble.

FAQs

If you have a question about this recipe that isn't answered here, please write it in the comment section, and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

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