Apple Crumble Recipe (2024)

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ByAnn DrakeOctober 16, 2023October 16, 2023

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An easy apple crumble recipe that’s made with your favorite apple variety, without oats. The next best thing to an apple pie, it can easily be doubled for a party or family gathering!

Apple crumble, a classic dessert loved by many, combines the natural sweetness of apples with a crispy, buttery topping that’s impossible to resist. Whether served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream, this humble and old fashioned dessert holds a special place in our hearts and kitchens.

What is apple crumble topping made of?

A fruit crumble has fruit on the bottom, covered by a streusel topping that does not contain oats. A crumble’s main ingredients for the topping are flour, sugar, and butter.

What is the difference between an apple crumble and an apple crisp?

Topping for a fruit crumble: no oats.
Topping for a fruit crisp: includes oats.

The streusel topping for a crumble traditionally does not contain oats, but on the other hand, oats are included in the ingredients for a crisp topping. Because the crumble topping is made of flour, sugar, and butter, it is crumbly and sometimes clumpy. This oat-free topping is usually added to the fruit by crumbling it through your fingers. A crisp topping contains oats, and tends to become a golden brown while baking. It is loose enough to sprinkle over the fruit.

What kind of apples should I use?

The variety of apples you use is totally a personal choice. Tart apples are not my favorite, so for this recipe I used the variety “Gala.” They baked easily, yet were not mushy. There’s nothing worse than a mushy fruit dessert (in my opinion!) Two other really good choices would be Honeycrisp or Braeburn. All of these apple varieties are so good, and the perfect balance of tart and sweet.

Should I peel the apples?

I did not peel the apples I used for this apple crumble…but that’s a personal choice. It’s definitely a time-saver if you don’t peel the apples. If you or your family prefers peeled apples, go for it!

Ingredients

Apples: the apple filling can either be sliced or chopped into chunks, whichever you prefer. If you are preparing the apples ahead of time, add a bit of lemon juice to keep them from turning brown.
All Purpose Flour: the base of the crumble.
Sugar: adds all the sweetness needed for a delicious crumble. Feel free to substitute half of the white sugar with brown sugar.
Baking Powder: makes the streusel topping puffy and delicious.
Cinnamon: every apple dessert recipes needs cinnamon!
Nutmeg: one more spice that adds amazing flavor.
Butter: moistens and holds the crumble together.

How To Make

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Wash, core, and slice apples.
Spread apples in an 8 x 8 baking dish. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl or bowl of a stand mixer, add flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Begin mixing on the lowest speed. Slowly add the beaten egg.
Mix until the dough resembles very course sand.
Crumble topping over apples with your fingers.
Pour melted butter over top.
Bake for 40 minutes. Serve warm.

Apple Crumble Tips

This easy apple crumble recipe fits nicely in an 8 inch or 9 inch square pan. It also fills my ruffled baking dish perfectly!
This is the perfect dessert for a family dinner or gathering. With an adjusted baking time, this recipe could easily be doubled to feed a crowd. Switch from an 8 x 8 baking dish to a 9 x 13 baking dish.
Of course, if you time it right and serve this apple crumble warm, adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a drizzle of caramel, or whipped cream would be truly amazing!
As you can see in the image below, there is apple juice on the bottom of the dish after the crumble is baked. Definitely spoon some of this mixture on to your serving plates!
Easy substitutes for the apples are blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, pears, or peaches.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Warm it in the microwave before serving.

DON’T FORGET TO PIN THIS!

Fall has arrived, and it’s time to embrace the season. One of the ways to do that is to start making all your “comfort food” favorites. So head to the kitchen…make a pot of soup, pair it with some crusty bread, and bake an apple crumble. Your family will think you are wonderful!

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