Baked Apple Crumble is the quintessential comfort dessert, offering a warm, spiced hug in every bite, perfect for using up those ripe apples and bringing a touch of homemade goodness to your table. This recipe simplifies this classic, making it an approachable and incredibly satisfying dessert that’s sure to become a regular in your baking rotation.
Key Ingredients for Baked Apple Crumble
For the Apple Filling:
- 6 medium-sized apples (a mix of sweet and tart varieties like Honeycrisp, Gala, Granny Smith, and Fuji works best), peeled, cored, and sliced into ½-inch thick pieces.
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (adjust to taste based on apple sweetness).
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour or cornstarch (for thickening).
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon.
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg.
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (optional, helps prevent browning and adds brightness).
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, cut into small cubes.
For the Crumble Topping:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour.
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar.
- ¼ cup granulated sugar.
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon.
- ¼ teaspoon salt.
- ½ cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes.
- ½ cup rolled oats (old-fashioned, not instant, for texture).
- ½ cup chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts, optional, for extra crunch).
How to Make Baked Apple Crumble
Prepare to be enchanted by a dessert that’s as delightful to make as it is to devour. This Baked Apple Crumble is delightfully simple, transforming humble apples into a truly satisfying experience with its perfectly tender fruit and a rich, buttery crumble topping that whispers of warmth and home. With a preparation time of just about 20 minutes, you can enjoy this sweet, spiced wonder without extensive effort.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly butter a 9-inch pie dish or an 8×8 inch baking dish. This will prevent the crumble from sticking and ensure easy serving.
- Prepare the Apple Filling: In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, granulated sugar, flour or cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice (if using). Toss gently until the apples are evenly coated. Pour this mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Dot the top of the apple mixture with the small cubes of butter.
- Make the Crumble Topping: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients.
- Create the Crumble Texture: Using a pastry blender, your fingertips, or two forks, cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, with some pea-sized pieces of butter still visible. This is crucial for achieving a tender, crumbly topping.
- Add Oats and Nuts (Optional): Stir in the rolled oats and chopped nuts (if using) into the crumble mixture. Mix just until combined.
- Assemble the Crumble: Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the apple filling in the baking dish. Ensure the entire surface of the apples is covered.
- Bake to Perfection: Place the baking dish on a baking sheet (to catch any potential drips) and bake for 35-45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling around the edges and tender when pierced with a fork. The baking time can vary slightly depending on your oven.
- Cool Slightly: Let the Baked Apple Crumble cool for at least 10-15 minutes before serving. This allows the filling to set slightly and makes it easier to spoon into bowls.
Why You’ll Love This Baked Apple Crumble
You’ll adore this Baked Apple Crumble for its sheer, unadulterated comfort. The star of the show is, of course, the naturally sweet, tender apples, infused with warming spices that create an aromatic symphony in your kitchen. This homemade version offers significant cost savings compared to purchasing individual portions from a bakery or café, allowing you to indulge in a generous serving of pure joy without breaking the bank. It’s a simple yet profoundly satisfying dessert, especially when the crunchy, buttery crumble topping meets the soft, spiced apple filling.
Unlike a more complex apple pie with its fussy crust, this crumble is a forgiving and incredibly rewarding bake, perfect for beginners and seasoned bakers alike. It’s the kind of dessert that makes a house feel like a home, filling it with an irresistible fragrance that beckons everyone to the table. So, gather your ingredients, embrace the simplicity, and treat yourself to this delightful Baked Apple Crumble – your taste buds will thank you!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Storing Leftovers:
Once cooled to room temperature, transfer any leftover Baked Apple Crumble to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For the best texture, avoid storing it covered while it’s still warm, as condensation can make the topping soggy.
Reheating:
To reheat individual portions, place them in a microwave-safe dish and heat in 30-second intervals until warmed through. For a crisper topping and warmed filling, reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. You can also reheat the entire dish in the oven.
Freezing for Future Meals:
This Baked Apple Crumble freezes beautifully. Allow the baked crumble to cool completely. Then, wrap the entire dish tightly with plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then reheat as described above. Alternatively, you can portion individual servings into freezer-safe containers before freezing.
Final Thoughts
This Baked Apple Crumble is a testament to the power of simple ingredients coming together to create something truly magical and comforting. We wholeheartedly encourage you to give this easy-to-make recipe a try; it’s a warm, sweet hug in a dish that’s perfect for any occasion.
Baked Apple Crumble
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly butter a 9-inch pie dish or an 8×8 inch baking dish.
- In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, granulated sugar, flour or cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice (if using). Toss gently until the apples are evenly coated. Pour this mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Dot the top of the apple mixture with the small cubes of butter.6 medium-sized apples apples, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour or cornstarch, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 0.5 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and salt.1 cup all-purpose flour, 0.5 cup packed light brown sugar, 0.25 cup granulated sugar, 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 0.25 teaspoon salt
- Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry blender, your fingertips, or two forks, cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, with some pea-sized pieces of butter still visible.0.5 cup cold unsalted butter
- Stir in the rolled oats and chopped nuts (if using) into the crumble mixture. Mix just until combined.0.5 cup rolled oats, 0.5 cup chopped nuts
- Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the apple filling in the baking dish. Ensure the entire surface of the apples is covered.
- Place the baking dish on a baking sheet (to catch any potential drips) and bake for 35-45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling around the edges and tender when pierced with a fork.
- Let the Baked Apple Crumble cool for at least 10-15 minutes before serving.