Description

Apple Cinnamon Crumble is a warm, comforting dessert that combines the sweetness of tender, baked apples with a crisp, buttery topping. The filling is made with fresh apples, often mixed with a touch of cinnamon, sugar, and a hint of lemon juice to enhance the natural flavors. This is then topped with a crumbly mixture of butter, flour, oats, and sugar, which bakes to a golden, crunchy finish. The contrast between the soft, spiced apples and the crunchy crumble makes each bite a delightful experience. This dessert is often served warm, sometimes with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream, for the perfect fall or winter treat.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Apple Filling:

6 medium apples (such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix of tart and sweet varieties): Peeled, cored, and sliced. These apples provide the perfect balance of tartness and sweetness.
1 tablespoon lemon juice: To prevent the apples from browning and add a hint of acidity.
¾ cup granulated sugar: Sweetens the apples while allowing the cinnamon and lemon to shine.
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon: A warm, aromatic spice that complements the apples perfectly.
1 tablespoon cornstarch: Helps thicken the juices released by the apples during baking, creating a luscious filling.
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg: Optional, but adds a warm, slightly sweet flavor that enhances the apple and cinnamon.
¼ teaspoon salt: Enhances the sweetness and flavors of the apples.

For the Crumble Topping:

1 cup all-purpose flour: Forms the base of the crumble topping, giving it structure.
½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats: Adds a chewy texture and heartiness to the crumble topping.
¾ cup packed brown sugar: Sweetens the crumble and gives it a rich, caramel-like flavor.
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon: Adds a touch of spice and warmth to the topping.
¼ teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness of the crumble topping.
½ cup unsalted butter: Cold and cut into small cubes, the butter adds richness and helps create that buttery, crumbly texture.
1/3 cup chopped nuts (optional, such as walnuts, pecans, or almonds): Adds crunch and extra flavor to the topping. This is optional but highly recommended for added texture.

Optional Garnishes:

Vanilla ice cream: A scoop of vanilla ice cream complements the warm crumble beautifully, adding a creamy contrast to the warm, spiced apples.
Whipped cream: Light and airy whipped cream adds a sweet finish to each bite.
Caramel sauce: For an extra indulgent treat, drizzle with caramel sauce for a touch of sweetness and richness.

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Instructions

First Step: Prepare the Apple Filling

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch baking dish (such as an 8×8 or 9×9 dish) with butter or cooking spray to prevent the filling from sticking.
Prepare the Apples: Peel, core, and slice the apples into uniform pieces—about ¼-inch thick. The combination of tart apples (such as Granny Smith) with sweet apples (like Honeycrisp) provides a well-rounded flavor.
Mix the Apple Filling: In a large mixing bowl, toss the sliced apples with lemon juice to prevent browning. Add the granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg (if using), cornstarch, and salt. Stir everything together, ensuring the apples are evenly coated with the sugar and spices. The cornstarch will help thicken the juices as the apples bake, creating a nice, thick filling.
Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the apple mixture into your prepared baking dish, spreading the apples evenly.

Second Step: Make the Crumble Topping

Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Stir the ingredients together until they are evenly mixed.
Cut in the Butter: Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry cutter, two forks, or your hands to work the butter into the dry mixture. You want to break up the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized clumps of butter.
Add Nuts (Optional): If you’re using nuts, stir them into the crumble topping at this point. Nuts like walnuts, pecans, or almonds add a nice crunch and nutty flavor, but they’re optional.
Top the Apples: Sprinkle the crumble mixture evenly over the apple filling, making sure to cover all of the apples. The crumble will bake into a golden, crispy topping that contrasts beautifully with the soft apple filling.

Third Step: Bake the Apple Cinnamon Crumble

Bake the Crumble: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling around the edges. The crumble should be crisp and lightly browned, with the apple filling thickened and fragrant.
Check for Doneness: If the topping is browning too quickly but the apples aren’t yet tender, cover the dish with aluminum foil and continue baking for another 10 minutes. This will help cook the apples through without overbrowning the topping.
Cool Slightly: Once baked, remove the apple cinnamon crumble from the oven and allow it to cool for about 10 minutes. This lets the juices settle and the crumble topping firm up a little before serving.

Final Step: Serve and Enjoy

Serve: Spoon the warm Apple Cinnamon Crumble into individual bowls, and top with your desired garnishes. A scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce would be the perfect additions to elevate this dessert.
Enjoy: Dig in and enjoy the comforting, sweet, and spicy goodness of homemade Apple Cinnamon Crumble!

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Baking Time: 40 minutes

Nutrition

Calories: 250 kcal
Fat: 12g
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 2g