Homemade Apple Crumble

Warm and flavorful, this homemade apple crumble has all the flavors of fall. Cinnamon, apples and delicious crumb topping tops this easy and delicious dessert. Topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream and you have a dessert worth talking about.

Oh, apples. I enjoy all things apple. Apples are so versatile. You can eat them cold, warm, with main courses or as a side. This homemade apple crumble is no different.

This simple apple crumble recipe has only a handful of ingredients and can help you use up those apples you went to the apple orchard to pick. (Of course, you can get them from the store too!)

The difference between crisp and crumble

What is a crisp and what is a crumble and does it matter what I call it? Of course!

The crisp and crumble start the same, with delicious baked fruit such as apple or cherry. The difference is in the topping. A crisp topping usually isn't thick and contains oats.

The crumble dough is a flour base and puffs up while cooking. It also contains egg and baking powder/baking soda. It is more cake like.

What kind of apples should I use?

There are different apples to use for baking. You want ones that will hold their shape and not get mushy. Red delicious, for example, tend to get mushy while baking. They are best for eating raw.

I used Gala apples for this recipe, though Fuji or Granny Smith would have worked well too. If you need a guide, I have written up an article here outlining the best apples for eat and baking.

Ingredients

• Apples
• Brown sugar
• White sugar
• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg (optional)
• White sugar
• Flour
• Baking powder
• salt
• egg
• butter (or margarine)

Peeling apples

You will need about 14 medium sized apples for this recipe. If you aren't a fan of peeling apples (I'm not!) there are a couple of ways to make this job easier. You can use a stand apple peeler which also cores the apples.

There is also an apple corer which takes the core out and slices the apples for you so all you have to do is peel them. Super easy and quick.

There is the old fashioned way of using a knife.

The layers

There is a two step process to this. First, you will want to layer a cinnamon sugar mixture on top of the apples. No need to mix it in, just place it on top. The cinnamon sugar will provide flavoring to apples but also a slight crunch.

Then, you will mix the crumble toppings and layer that on top next.

How long to cook this crumble?

You will want to cook it for a while. The apples need a chance to soften and that does take time.

It will be about 45 minutes to 1 hour bake time, depending on your oven. You will know it is done when the the apple mixture is nice and bubbly and the topping is a golden brown.

Storage

After making sure this dessert is completely cool, it is best to store it in a covered, airtight container in the refrigerator. It will last up to three days.

Can I freeze this?

Yes! You can freeze a cooked or uncooked apple crumble by wrapping it with plastic wrap tightly and then foil and freezing it up to three months. The crumble will need to be completely cooled first before you freeze it, if you bake it first. After removing it from the freezer, let it thaw overnight in the fridge. Then bake. *ALWAYS remove the plastic wrap before baking.*

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📖 Recipe

Like apple recipes? Try:

Applesauce Cake

Blueberry Applesauce

Apple Cake with Caramel Drizzle