Warm, cozy fall flavor and an easy recipe. Get ready to savor this fragrant Apple Crumble!
During World War II, many everyday items were in short supply; among them were rubber, metal, silk, nylon, and, unfortunately, pantry staples like flour and sugar. With limited ingredients, home cooks had to get creative. Not enough flour for an apple pie crust? Make an apple crumble instead. Born out of wartime necessity, apple crumble has since become a beloved fall classic.
Apple crumble offers all the best parts of apple pie. It has the tender, cinnamon-sugar apple slices and a buttery, spiced crumb topping, but without the fuss of making a crust. You won’t even miss it!
This comforting dessert is a hit with families thanks to its bold apple flavor, cozy spices, and simple preparation. It’s an ideal recipe to make with kids or beginner bakers, as it comes together quickly and easily. You can even leave the apple peels on if you prefer. Apple crumble is a low-stress, high-reward dessert that turns out delicious every time.
On Granny Smith
The Granny Smith apple is a popular choice for baked goods like apple pie, baked apples, and apple crumble. Known for its crisp texture and refreshing tartness, it holds up exceptionally well during baking, making it an excellent variety for many home cooks and bakers.
But who was ‘Granny Smith,’ and how did an apple come to bear her name? Maria Ann Smith, affectionately known as ‘Granny Smith,’ was a 19th-century Australian farmer. According to historical accounts, she discovered the variety by chance, likely from a seedling that sprouted near her compost heap, possibly from discarded French crab apples. Recognizing the apple’s unique flavor and baking qualities, she began cultivating it. The apple was officially named in her honor and has become a staple in kitchens around the world.
If you cannot get Granny Smith or would prefer to use a mix of apples, the best one to use in either case is Honeycrisp. Honeycrisp apples retain their shape while baking like Granny Smith apples but have more of a sweet flavor. Do not use Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, or Macintosh, as they will become too mushy.
How do I store leftovers?
After baking, you can keep the crumble tightly covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to 4 days. You can also freeze baked apple crumble for up to 2 months.
Serving suggestions
A warm bowl of apple crumble needs a scoop of cold Vanilla Ice Cream. Cinnamon or salted caramel ice cream also pairs really well with apple crumble. If ice cream’s not your thing, try topping it with Homemade Whipped Cream or a drizzle of Caramel Sauce. Additionally, leftovers make for a wonderful breakfast with a cup of hot tea or coffee!
Apple Crumble Recipe
Ingredients
For the Topping:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter cold, cut into cubes
For the Base:
- 6 cups Granny Smith apples peeled and diced
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Vanilla ice cream for serving, optional
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, add all of the topping ingredients except for the butter. Mix until combined.
- Add the cold butter and use a pastry cutter to blend until the mixture is crumbly and resembles large peas.
- Toss the diced apples with 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, and 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon in a 2-quart baking dish.
- Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the apples. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F for 35-40 minutes or until golden and the apples are tender.
- Allow to cool slightly before serving. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream if desired.
Delicious! Everyone loved it!
Awesome, thanks so much Edy