Homemade Apple Crumble
There’s nothing quite like a good homemade apple crumble, especially when it’s fresh out of the oven with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream melting over the top!
This easy apple crumble recipe has soft, tender apples underneath a thick, golden, buttery crumble topping. It’s one of those classic desserts that doesn’t need anything fancy to taste absolutely delicious.
I personally love a generous amount of crumble on top. None of this thin layer business! You want plenty of that crunchy, buttery topping with every spoonful of apple.
It’s the perfect dessert for a chilly evening, a family dinner or whenever you’ve got a few apples sitting in the fruit bowl that need using up.
Why You’ll Love This Apple Crumble
- Thick, buttery crumble topping: A generous layer of golden crumble that’s slightly crunchy on top and beautifully buttery underneath.
- Simple ingredients: Made with everyday pantry staples and fresh apples.
- No oats: Just a traditional flour, butter and sugar crumble topping.
- Easy to make: No complicated steps or fancy equipment needed.
- Perfect comfort food: Absolutely delicious served warm with ice cream, custard or cream.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You don’t need much to make a delicious homemade apple crumble!
For the Apple Filling
Fresh apples are the star of this dessert. I like cutting them into slices around 5 mm thick so they soften in the oven without completely turning to mush.
A little sugar helps bring out their natural sweetness, while cinnamon adds a lovely warm flavour.
For the Crumble Topping
The crumble is my favourite part!
Made with flour, butter and sugar, it bakes into a thick, golden topping with a lovely crumbly texture.
I use 150 g of butter because I prefer a rich, generous crumble rather than a thin sprinkling over the apples.
How to Make Homemade Apple Crumble
Step 1: Prepare the Apples
Peel, core and cut your apples into even-sized slices.
Place them in a baking dish and toss with the sugar and cinnamon until evenly coated.
There’s no need to cook the apples beforehand. They’ll soften beautifully as the crumble bakes in the oven.
Step 2: Make the Crumble Topping
Add the flour and sugar to a mixing bowl.
Cut the cold butter into small cubes and rub it into the dry ingredients using your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
Don’t worry if there are a few larger buttery clumps. These help create those lovely golden, crunchy bits on top.
Step 3: Assemble the Crumble
Sprinkle the crumble mixture evenly over the apples.
I like to leave the topping fairly loose rather than pressing it down. This helps give it that lovely crumbly texture once baked.
Make sure the apples are completely covered with a nice thick layer.
Step 4: Bake Until Golden
Bake in the preheated oven until the topping is golden brown and the apples underneath are soft and bubbling around the edges.
If the topping starts browning too quickly, loosely cover the dish with foil while the apples finish cooking.
Step 5: Serve Warm
Allow the crumble to sit for around 10 minutes after removing it from the oven.
Serve warm with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream, a drizzle of caramel sauce or some homemade custard.
My Tips for the Best Apple Crumble
Use a mixture of apples: Combining tart and sweet apples gives the filling a lovely balance of flavour.
Don’t cut the apples too small: Chunkier slices hold their shape better during baking.
Keep the butter cold: Cold butter helps create a lovely crumbly topping rather than a greasy mixture.
Don’t skimp on the topping: A thick layer of buttery crumble is what makes this recipe so good!
Let it rest before serving: Giving the crumble a few minutes to settle makes it easier to scoop into bowls.
What to Serve With Apple Crumble
Apple crumble is delicious on its own, but it’s even better with something creamy on the side.
My favourite is a big scoop of vanilla ice cream melting into the warm apples and buttery crumble.
You can also serve it with warm custard, freshly whipped cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce if you’re feeling a little extra.
Homemade Apple Crumble
Ingredients
Crumble Topping
- 250 g plain flour
- 150 g cold butter cubed
- 140 g brown sugar
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp salt
Apple Filling
- 900 g apples weighed after peeling and coring
- 60 g brown sugar
- 15 ml lemon juice 1 tbsp
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 12 g cornflour 1 ½ tbsp
- 30 g butter cubed
Instructions
- Preheat the oven. Preheat your oven to 180°C conventional (160°C fan bake). Lightly grease a 23–25 cm square baking dish.
- Prepare the apples. Peel, core and slice the apples into approximately 5 mm thick slices. Weigh out 900 g of prepared apples and place them directly into the baking dish.
- Make the apple filling. Add the brown sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, vanilla extract and cornflour to the apples. Toss everything together until the slices are evenly coated. Spread the apples into an even layer and scatter the 30 g of cubed butter over the top.
- Make the crumble topping. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. Add the cold, cubed butter and rub it into the dry ingredients using your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs with a few larger buttery clumps.
- Assemble the crumble. Sprinkle the crumble mixture evenly over the apples, making sure they’re completely covered. Leave the topping loose rather than pressing it down so it bakes into a lovely crumbly texture.
- Bake. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 45–55 minutes, or until the crumble topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling around the edges. Check that the apples are tender by inserting a knife into the centre. If the topping browns too quickly, loosely cover with foil.
- Rest and serve. Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 10–15 minutes before serving. Enjoy warm with vanilla ice cream, custard or cream.
Notes
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Apples: Granny Smith, Braeburn or a combination of sweet and tart apples work well. Choose firm apples that hold their shape during baking.
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Baking dish: A 23–25 cm square baking dish works well for a generous layer of crumble. A larger dish will give you thinner layers and may cook faster.
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Thick crumble topping: This recipe deliberately has plenty of buttery crumble. Don’t press it down when assembling.
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Storage: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
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Reheating: Reheat in the oven at 160°C until warmed through to help crisp up the topping.
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Freezing: Freeze in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best apples for apple crumble?
Granny Smith apples are a great option because they hold their shape and have a slightly tart flavour that balances the sweet topping. Braeburn and other firm baking apples work well too.
Do I need to cook the apples before making crumble?
No! For this recipe, the apples go straight into the baking dish without being cooked first. Just make sure they’re cut into even-sized pieces so they cook through evenly.
Can I make apple crumble ahead of time?
Yes. You can prepare the apple filling and crumble topping ahead of time, keeping them separately in the fridge. Assemble and bake when you’re ready.
How do I store leftover apple crumble?
Allow the crumble to cool, then cover and refrigerate for up to 3–4 days.
Can I reheat apple crumble?
Absolutely! Reheat it in the oven at 160°C until warmed through. This helps keep the topping a little crispier than reheating it in the microwave.
Can I freeze apple crumble?
Yes, apple crumble freezes well. Store it in a suitable airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the fridge before reheating.
Why is my apple crumble topping soggy?
This can happen if the apples release a lot of moisture or the crumble hasn’t baked long enough. Make sure the topping is golden brown and avoid covering the dish while baking unless it’s browning too quickly.
More Homemade Desserts to Try
If you love a good homemade dessert, make sure you check out some of my other recipes:
Whether you’re making this for a family dinner or just because you’ve got apples to use up, this homemade apple crumble is always a good idea!
If you give this recipe a go, I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a comment and rating below, or tag me on Instagram @sara_elcock so I can see your creations.
