Go Back

Apple Crumble

Apple crumble is a British-style baked dessert with a cinnamon apple filling and a sandy, buttery crumb topping. This recipe bakes until the edges bubble and the crumble turns pale golden, then serves warm with custard or cream.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: British
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For apple filling
  • 6 lb cooking apples peeled and sliced
  • 0.333 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
For crumble topping
  • 1.75 cup plain all-purpose flour
  • 150 g unsalted butter cold, cubed
  • 0.5 cup granulated sugar
  • 0.25 cup light brown sugar packed
  • 0.5 tsp cinnamon
  • 0.25 tsp salt
For serving
  • 1 custard, cream, or ice cream for serving

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan
  • 1 oven

Method
 

Prep and bake
  1. Preheat the oven to 190C (375F) and grease a large baking dish.
  2. Toss the peeled, sliced apples with granulated sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice, then spread them in the prepared dish.
  3. Make the crumble by rubbing plain all-purpose flour and cold unsalted butter together with your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs with some larger pieces.
  4. Stir in both granulated sugar and light brown sugar, plus cinnamon and salt, until evenly combined.
  5. Spread the crumble evenly over the apples without packing it down.
  6. Bake for 35-40 minutes until the topping is pale golden and the apple filling bubbles at the edges.
  7. Serve warm with custard, double cream, or vanilla ice cream.

Notes

For the best topping texture, keep the butter cold and avoid over-rubbing—leave some larger crumb pieces. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days; reheat in the oven or microwave until hot. Freezing is best for the baked apple filling only—freeze cooled apples and thaw, then add a fresh crumble topping before baking. For a lighter option, use reduced-fat butter and serve with low-fat custard or yogurt-style topping if available.