Description
This Perfect Apple Crumble recipe combines tart and sweet apples with a spiced sugar filling, topped with a buttery, crumbly mixture that bakes to a golden brown. It’s a classic, comforting dessert that’s ideal for gatherings or cozy nights in.
Ingredients
Filling
- 2 pounds sweet tart crisp cooking apples, about 6 cups diced (such as Pink Lady, Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Jonathan, or Jonagold)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
Topping
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 7 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (or vegan butter)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius) to get it ready for baking the apple crumble later on.
- Prepare the apples: Core, peel, and dice the apples into 1/2-inch chunks. In a large bowl, toss the diced apples with lemon juice, cornstarch, granulated sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons of cinnamon, ground ginger, and allspice until the mixture is well coated. Transfer this mixture into a 9-inch pie pan, a 9 x 9 inch baking dish, or a 7 x 11 baking dish.
- Make the crumble topping: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, baking powder, and kosher salt. Using a fork, mix these dry ingredients together. While mixing, gradually pour in the melted butter until the mixture becomes crumbly. Then, use your fingers to sprinkle these crumbles evenly over the apple filling.
- Bake the crumble: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the crumble topping is evenly golden brown and the apple filling is bubbly.
- Cool and serve: Remove the apple crumble from the oven and allow it to cool for 1 hour before serving. This helps the filling set and intensifies the flavors. Store leftovers covered at room temperature for 1 day, refrigerate for up to 4 days, or freeze for as long as 3 months. To reheat, bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until the filling is bubbly again.
Notes
- Choose firm, tart apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Jonagold for the best texture and flavor balance.
- Make sure to evenly sprinkle the crumble topping to get a nice golden crust.
- Letting the crumble cool for an hour before serving enhances the texture and flavor.
- Reheat leftovers in the oven, not microwave, to maintain crispness of the topping.
- For a vegan version, substitute unsalted butter with a firm vegan butter or coconut oil.
