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A spoonful of warm apple crumble showing tender cooked Granny Smith apples and a buttery streusel topping.
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Classic British Apple Crumble

A wholesome homemade dessert favourite featuring tart, cinnamon-spiced apples under a thick, golden, buttery biscuit-like crust. Perfect when served with warm custard.

Course Dessert, Family Favourites, Pudding
Cuisine British, Country Style
Keyword Apple Crumble, Easy Baking, Homemade, Easy Dessert, Traditional British
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Resting Time 5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 4 People
Calories 385 kcal
Author TahaCooks Editor

Ingredients

For the Filling

  • 1 kg Cooking Apples Bramley are best; peeled, cored, and sliced into 1cm chunks.
  • 50 g Caster Sugar Adjust based on the tartness of your apples.
  • 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon Adds that essential warming aroma.
  • 1 tbsp Water or Lemon Juice To create steam and prevent browning.

For the Topping

  • 175 g All-Purpose Flour Plain flour works best for a biscuit-like texture.
  • 110 g Caster Sugar Or use half light brown sugar for a deeper flavor.
  • 110 g Unsalted Butter Fridge-cold and cubed for the best "rubble" texture.
  • 1 pinch Sea Salt Enhances the buttery flavor of the crust.
  • 1 tbsp Demerara Sugar Optional: sprinkle on top before baking for extra crunch.

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prep:

    Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F). While the oven heats, peel, core, and slice the apples into 1cm thick chunks.

  2. Prepare the Fruit Base:

    Place the sliced apples into your baking dish. Sprinkle over the 50g of caster sugar, cinnamon, and the water or lemon juice. Toss them together using a wooden spoon until the apples are evenly coated, then level them out.

  3. Create the Crumble Topping:

    In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and 110g of sugar. Add the cold, cubed butter. Use your fingertips to rub the butter into the flour mixture. Stop when it looks like coarse breadcrumbs with some pea-sized lumps—don't overwork it into a paste!

  4. Assemble the Dessert:

    Pour the crumble mixture over the apples. Use a fork to spread it out to the edges, but do not press down; you want the topping to stay light and aerated so it gets maximum crunch.

  5. The Final Touch:

    Sprinkle the Demerara sugar evenly over the top for an extra-thick, golden crust.

  6. Bake to Perfection:

    Place the dish in the center of the oven and bake for 35–45 minutes. It is ready when the topping is a deep golden brown and the apple juices are bubbling up around the edges.

  7. Rest and Serve:

    Remove from the oven and allow it to sit for 5 minutes—this lets the fruit juices thicken slightly. Serve warm in deep bowls.

Recipe Notes

Serving & Presentation

The Perfect Pour

  • The Custard "Lake": Serve in deep bowls and drown the crumble in warm vanilla custard. This is the quintessential British way to enjoy the contrast of crunchy topping and silky sauce.

  • Melting Contrast: For a cold alternative, add a dollop of clotted cream or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. The melting cream balances the tart, steaming apples.

Presentation Tips

  • Table-Side Service: Bring the dish straight from the oven to the table; the sight of bubbling fruit juices and the golden crust is part of the appeal.

  • The Perfect Scoop: Ensure every serving includes the caramelized edges, as these offer the most crunch and flavor.

  • Garnish: A light dusting of icing sugar or a pinch of extra cinnamon adds a polished, professional finish.