About this apple crumble recipe

Apple crumble is a warm, comforting dessert featuring soft, spiced apples baked under a buttery, crumbly topping. Made with simple ingredients like fresh apples, cinnamon, sugar, and flour, it’s a delightful blend of sweet and spiced flavors.

Recipe highlights –

Classic buttery crumble topping
Perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors
Warm, aromatic notes of cinnamon
Made without oats for a smooth, tender crumb
No need to precook the filling—quick & easy

This dessert captures the timeless charm of apple pie while being much simpler to make. It delivers the same cozy, spiced flavors and is perfect for sharing during the cooler months with friends and family.

A timeless autumn dessert

Apple crumble is a dessert that embodies the spirit of fall. The rich aroma of cinnamon and baked apples fills your home, instantly creating an atmosphere of warmth and comfort.

It’s the perfect treat for a crisp autumn evening, offering comfort and coziness with every bite. Whether it’s served at family dinners, holiday celebrations like Thanksgiving, or as a midweek indulgence, apple crumble always feels special.

What makes apple crumble stand out is its simplicity. You don’t need fancy skills or rare ingredients to create this luxurious dessert. It’s approachable for beginners and adaptable enough for experienced bakers to experiment with flavors and textures.

Main ingredients for the apple filling

The filling is the heart of the dessert. Here’s what you’ll need to make the filling for apple crumble –

Apples – Choose tart and firm apples that hold up well during baking. In the U.S., Granny Smith and Honeycrisp are excellent choices due to their tart flavor and sturdy texture. In India, Shimla or Kashmiri apples work well. As a general rule, green apples tend to offer the best balance of taste and texture for apple crumble.
Sugar – A mix of white and brown sugar adds sweetness and a caramel-like richness. If you don’t have brown sugar, white sugar works just as well.
Lemon Juice – Adds brightness to the filling and prevents the apples from browning.
Corn Starch – Thickens the juices, so your crumble isn’t runny. You can also replace it with all purpose flour.
Salt – A pinch balances the sweetness and enhances the flavors.
Cinnamon Powder – Adds the warm, cozy aroma that defines apple desserts. For extra depth, you can also add nutmeg, ginger, or cardamom.

Main ingredients for the crumble topping

The buttery crumble topping is what makes this dessert irresistible. You will need the following ingredients for the crumble topping –

All-Purpose Flour – Forms the base of the crumble topping providing the crunch.
Brown Sugar – Adds a molasses-like depth to the topping. You can use light or dark brown sugar, or substitute with white sugar if needed.
Baking Powder – Provides a touch of lift for a lighter crumb.
Salt – A pinch to enhance flavor.
Cinnamon Powder – Brings warmth and spice to every bite.
Butter – The key to a rich and buttery crumble topping. For a quick and convenient version, I use melted butter to make the topping. However, you can also go the traditional way and use cold butter cubes and cut them into the flour till they form pea sized chunks.
Optional ingredients – You can add rolled oats for a more crispy texture or chopped nuts like pecans, walnuts or almonds for extra crunch.

Serving suggestions

Apple crumble is best enjoyed warm, fresh out of the oven. Let it rest for 15–20 minutes to allow the juices to thicken and caramelize.

For a classic pairing, serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The contrast of warm crumble and cold, creamy ice cream is simply irresistible. Drizzle some caramel sauce on top to take the flavors to the next level.

If you prefer a more traditional touch, try it with whipped cream or a drizzle of custard. The creaminess adds an extra layer of indulgence and balances the sweetness perfectly.

Got leftovers? Apple crumble tastes just as good the next day. Reheat it in the oven to restore its crispy topping or microwave individual portions for a quick, cozy treat.

To make apple crumble at home, follow the detailed step by step recipe with photos posted below.

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