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To make the perfect Cinnamon Apple Crumble, gather these simple ingredients: - 4 medium-sized apples (use Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best flavor) - 1 tablespoon lemon juice - 1 teaspoon cinnamon - 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed - 1/2 cup rolled oats - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour - 1/4 cup granulated sugar - 1/4 teaspoon salt - 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed - 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional) - Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for serving I love using Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples. They give the crumble a great balance of tartness and sweetness. The tart apples hold their shape and provide a nice contrast to the sweet topping. For the dry mix, you'll need rolled oats, all-purpose flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and salt. These ingredients blend to create a delightful crumbly texture. The oats add a nice chew, while the sugars caramelize as they bake, creating a golden crust. I use cold unsalted butter to create that crumbly topping. You can also add nutmeg for a warm spice note. Nutmeg works well with apple flavors. It gives your crumble an extra layer of taste that feels homey and comforting. {{ingredient_image_1}} To start, grab four medium-sized apples. I love using Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. They have a nice tartness that balances the sweet crumble. Peel, core, and slice the apples. This step takes a bit of time, but it’s worth it. Next, put the sliced apples in a large bowl. Add one tablespoon of lemon juice, one teaspoon of cinnamon, and a quarter cup of brown sugar. Mix everything well. You want the apples coated nicely. Once mixed, transfer the apple mixture to a greased 9-inch pie or baking dish. Now, let’s prepare the crumble topping. In another bowl, combine half a cup of rolled oats, half a cup of all-purpose flour, and a quarter cup of granulated sugar. Add the remaining brown sugar and a pinch of salt. If you like, you can add a little nutmeg for extra flavor. Mix all these dry ingredients well. Next, add half a cup of cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work the butter into the dry mix. You want it to look like coarse crumbs. This step is key for that crunchy topping. Before baking, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Once it's ready, evenly sprinkle the crumble topping over the apple mixture in the baking dish. Bake the crumble for about 35 to 40 minutes. Look for the apples to be tender and the topping to be golden brown. When it’s done, remove it from the oven and let it cool slightly. The smell will be amazing, and you’ll want to dive right in! - Choosing the right apples: Use Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples. These apples give the best balance of sweet and tart. Their firm texture holds up well during baking. Avoid soft apples like Red Delicious; they turn mushy. - Ensuring perfect crumble texture: For a great crumble, mix cold butter into the dry ingredients until they look like coarse crumbs. This helps create a crunchy topping. Do not overmix, or the crumble will be dense. - Ideal accompaniments: Serve your warm cinnamon apple crumble with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. The cold creaminess pairs well with the warm, spiced apples. You can also add a drizzle of caramel sauce for extra sweetness. - Presentation ideas: To make your dish look special, sprinkle a bit of cinnamon on top. Add a few apple slices as a garnish. You can serve it in a rustic baking dish for a homey feel or in individual ramekins for a fun twist. Pro Tips Choose the Right Apples: For the best flavor and texture, opt for tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp, as they hold up well during baking and provide a nice contrast to the sweetness of the crumble. Keep Butter Cold: Ensure your butter is cold and cut into small cubes before mixing with dry ingredients. This helps create a crumbly texture that adds a delightful crunch to your topping. Add a Twist of Flavor: Experiment with spices like cardamom or allspice in addition to cinnamon to elevate the flavor profile of your apple filling. Perfect Serving Temperature: Serve your crumble warm, ideally right out of the oven, paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for a delicious contrast. {{image_2}} You can change some ingredients for your Cinnamon Apple Crumble. If you want a different sweet taste, try using maple syrup or honey instead of brown sugar. These alternatives add unique flavors. If you don’t have apples, use pears or peaches. Both fruits give a nice twist. You can even mix different fruits together for a fun flavor blend. Add some excitement to your crumble with different flavors. Chopped nuts, like walnuts or pecans, add crunch. You can sprinkle them on the topping or mix them in. Want more spice? Include ginger or cardamom for a warm kick. If you love chocolate, try adding chocolate chips to the crumble. They melt and create a rich taste. Or, drizzle caramel sauce over the top before serving for a sweet finish. These add-ins make your dish even more delightful! To keep your cinnamon apple crumble fresh, store it in the fridge. Use an airtight container. This way, it stays tasty for about 3 to 4 days. If you want to save it longer, freeze it. Wrap the crumble tightly in plastic wrap, then foil. It can last up to 3 months in the freezer. Just remember to label it with the date. When you’re ready to enjoy your leftovers, the best practice is to reheat in the oven. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the crumble in a baking dish. Cover it with foil to keep it moist. Heat for about 15-20 minutes or until warm. This method helps keep the topping crispy and the apples tender. If you’re in a hurry, you can use the microwave. Heat in short bursts of 30 seconds. Check often to make sure it doesn’t get soggy. Enjoy your warm and delightful cinnamon apple crumble! Yes, you can make this dish ahead of time. Prepare the apples and crumble topping. Store them separately in the fridge. When you are ready, just combine and bake. If you lack some ingredients, don’t worry. You can swap apples for pears or berries. Use oats or crushed cookies instead of flour. Get creative with what you have! This crumble lasts about three to four days in the fridge. Store it in an airtight container. Reheat it in the oven for the best taste. Yes, you can use frozen apples. Just thaw them first and drain excess moisture. They may be softer, but they will still taste delicious. Absolutely! You can double or halve the recipe. Just adjust the baking time if you change the size. Use a larger or smaller dish to fit the amount you make. In this blog post, we explored how to make a delicious cinnamon apple crumble. We covered selecting the best apples, mixing dry ingredients, and creating a perfect crumble topping. I shared tips for baking, serving, and storing your dish. Remember, you can get creative with ingredient swaps and flavor add-ins. This recipe is easy to adjust and fun to make! Enjoy your tasty treat, and I hope you feel inspired to try it soon.

Cinnamon Apple Crumble Delight

A delicious dessert featuring tender apples topped with a crunchy crumble, perfect for serving warm with ice cream.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 250 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 4 medium-sized apples, peeled, cored, and sliced (preferably Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1/2 cup rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
  • to taste Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for serving

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  • In a large bowl, mix the sliced apples with lemon juice, cinnamon, and 1/4 cup of the brown sugar until well coated. Transfer this mixture to a greased 9-inch pie or baking dish.
  • In another bowl, combine rolled oats, all-purpose flour, remaining brown sugar, granulated sugar, salt, and nutmeg (if using). Mix until well combined.
  • Add the cubed cold butter to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, work the butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
  • Evenly sprinkle the crumble topping over the apple mixture in the baking dish.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes or until the apples are tender and the topping is golden brown.
  • Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.

Notes

Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream on top. Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon and a few apple slices for a delightful look.
Keyword apple, cinnamon, crumble, dessert