Classic Apple Crumble Recipe

Sometimes, you just need to stick with the classics. When it comes to great desserts, the possibilities are endless. While we are major fans of desserts with chocolate, there's also something to be said about fruit adding a special kind of sweetness to a dish. That's exactly the case with this classic apple crumble recipe that has been around for decades.

Recipe developer Ting Dalton has a knack for coming up with comforting desserts, and this one is no exception. There are plenty of things to love about this dish, but we think Dalton hits the nail on the head when describing what she loves the most. "[I'm a fan of] its simplicity. You don't need a lot to have a home-cooked British classic," Dalton shares. "It's really one of the best winter warming desserts." And, apples are also good for your health. "Apples have lots of health benefits including lowering cholesterol. It's also a great way to add fruit into your diet," Dalton notes. So, if you're in the mood for some warm apple crumble served with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, it's about time you whip this recipe up.

Like any other recipe, you will need to make a list of the ingredients necessary to prepare this tasty dish. Start with some cooking apples. Dalton uses Bramley because, as she notes, "Bramley apples are classic British apples that hold their shape and are tart rather than sweet. You can use sweeter eating apples, but they may become more mushy and they will be a lot sweeter." So, pick a tart apple you love that will remain firm.

Next, pop by the baking aisle, and grab some granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and self-rising flour. The recipe also calls for some cold butter and rolled oats. As a reminder, it's always a good idea to check your pantry before heading to the store, as you may have a few items at home already.

Are you ready to fix up this tasty treat? If so, keep reading! Start things off by taking a trip to your oven and heating it to 350 F. This ensures that the range will be fully heated by the time you need it.

Then, grab a saucepan, and place it over your stove. First, toss in the apples. (Remember that you should have peeled, cored, and cut these ahead of time.) Then, add the granulated sugar, vanilla, and water into the saucepan. Cook for a few minutes until the apples have softened. This won't take long.

Once your apples have softened, take them off of the heat, and give them a little taste. If you think that they need a bit more sugar, you can add a little more at this time — it's totally just based on your own preferences. Then, grab an oven-proof baking dish, and be sure to grease the inside so nothing sticks to it. Trust us — you don't want to miss out on any of this goodness or have to scrape the bottom of your pan. Lastly, transfer the apple mixture to the greased dish so that it's ready to go.

Now it's time to make the other mixture for this excellent apple crumble. Pull out a mixing bowl, and add in the flour, brown sugar, and butter. As a reminder, the butter should be cold and cubed. This is a little different than most recipes that call for the butter to be softened and at room temperature. 

Using your fingers, rub everything together until the mixture starts to resemble bread crumbs. Then, stir in the oats. Scatter the mixture onto the apples, and then sprinkle a little bit of brown sugar on top to add a little extra sweetness.

Now, double check that your oven has finished preheating. If it has, stick in the apple crumble, and set your timer for 40 minutes. Bake this wonderful treat until the top turns golden brown. You can continue checking on it throughout the baking process. Once the timer dings, grab your oven mitts, and remove the crumble from the oven. 

You can enjoy this treat by itself, or serve it with some cream, whipped cream, or ice cream. It would also go well with either a refreshing, cold glass of milk or a cup of your favorite tea. We hope you love this yummy recipe as much as we do. It's sure to be a seasonal favorite — or any time of year, for that matter!