Apple Crumble Dessert (Printable)

Tender spiced apples under a golden buttery crumble, ideal for cozy gatherings and casual treats.

# What You Need:

→ Apple Filling

01 - 6 medium apples (Granny Smith or Braeburn), peeled, cored, and sliced
02 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
03 - 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
04 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
05 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
06 - 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

→ Crumble Topping

07 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
08 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
09 - 1/2 cup light brown sugar
10 - 1/2 cup rolled oats (optional, for extra crunch)
11 - Pinch of salt

# How-To:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly butter a medium baking dish approximately 8 x 10 inches.
02 - In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, lemon juice, and flour. Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish.
03 - In a bowl, combine flour, light brown sugar, rolled oats (if using), and a pinch of salt. Incorporate cold, cubed butter by rubbing with fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
04 - Evenly scatter the crumble topping over the apple filling. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the apples are bubbling.
05 - Allow the dessert to cool slightly before serving. Serve warm, optionally accompanied by vanilla ice cream or custard.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in barely an hour, yet tastes like you've been working all day.
  • The contrast between soft, spiced apples and crispy buttery crumble is genuinely addictive.
  • One batch feeds a crowd and somehow disappears faster than you'd expect.
02 -
  • Cold butter is non-negotiable for the topping—if it's soft, the crumble becomes dense and cake-like instead of crispy and crumbly.
  • The lemon juice isn't about flavor as much as it is about chemistry; it prevents the apples from oxidizing and keeps the filling bright and fresh-tasting.
03 -
  • If your apples release a lot of liquid during baking, don't panic—that's natural, and the flour will thicken it; if you're worried, add an extra teaspoon of flour to the filling mixture.
  • The crumble topping can be made hours ahead and refrigerated until you're ready to assemble and bake, which is a genuine lifesaver when you're cooking for others.
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