Apple Crumble - Spend With Pennies

When we were young, my mom always made fruit crumbles and crisps. They’re a taste of home and comfort.

This easy apple crumble recipe has tender, sweet cinnamon apples under a buttery brown sugar crumble.

With just a few simple steps (and ingredients you likely have on hand), this delicious dessert is ready to put into the oven.

Most importantly, it’s super delicious!
It’s easy to make and uses ingredients you likely have on hand.
It’s budget-friendly, making it a great dessert to prepare for a crowd.
Apple crumble can be served warm or chilled – we even enjoy the leftovers for breakfast with yogurt.

Apples on a cutting board to make Apple Crumble

Ingredients for Apple Crumble

In addition to the apples mentioned above, you’ll need just a handful of pantry ingredients for this apple crumble recipe.

Apples: I use Granny Smith apples, as I love their tart flavor and they hold their shape well. Other great options include Honeycrisp, Gala, Braeburn, or Pink Lady.
Flour: All-purpose flour thickens the juices in the filling and is also the base of the crumble topping.
Sugar: A sprinkle of cinnamon sugar sweetens the filling, and a combination of white and brown sugar is used in the topping for flavor.
Butter: Cold butter is mixed into the topping for flavor and a buttery texture. Margarine can be used in place.

Apple crumble topping in a glass bowl with a pastry blender

How to Make Apple Crumble

Sometimes simple is best when it comes time to make dessert. It reminds me of the desserts my mom used to make when I was younger.

Prepare topping: Place topping ingredients (recipe below) in a bowl and cut with a pastry cutter until it forms large crumbs. Refrigerate while preparing apples.
Prepare apples: Peel and slice them, and then toss them with sugar, flour, and cinnamon.
Bake: Add the apple filling to a baking dish and sprinkle with the topping. Bake until golden brown.

Feel free to add some finely chopped pecans or walnuts.

ingredients to make Apple Crumble in a baking dish

Holly’s Top Tips Apple Crumble

In this recipe, use cold butter and mix the topping until it starts to stick together.
If the topping is powdery in texture, mix it longer, it will hold together.
Refrigerate the topping while peeling the apples to keep the butter cold, which makes the topping crumbly and crisp.
Use firm apples so they don’t lose their shape and become mushy while baking.
Check the apple crumble early so the apples don’t overcook (or they will turn into applesauce)!

Baked Apple in a white casserole dish on a wood board

Storage, Freezing, and Leftovers

Prep ahead: Prepare this apple crumble recipe up to 24 hours before baking. If making ahead, toss the apples with a spoonful of lemon juice so they don’t brown.
Leftovers: Once baked, store the crumble in the fridge or on the counter for up to 2 days.
Freezing: Apple crumble can be frozen either before or after baking. Thaw in the fridge overnight and bake as directed adding about 5 to 10 minutes to the baking time

Apple Crumble vs. Cobbler vs. Crisp

Apple crumble (as in this recipe) has a simple streusel topping made of butter, flour, sugar, and spices.
Apple crisp contains oats and nuts.
Apple cobbler is more of a cake-like or biscuit-like topping, depending on the recipe.

More Apple Desserts

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Homemade Apple Crumble

Homemade Apple Crumble is a quick and easy dessert full of warm and cozy Fall flavors.

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes

Total Time 1 hour

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Preheat the oven to 375°F.
To make the topping, in a medium bowl, combine 1 cup flour, ⅓ cup white sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and ginger if using. Add the cold butter and use a pastry cutter to cut in butter until the mixture starts to stick together and form crumbs the size of large peas, about 3 to 4 minutes. Place in the fridge while preparing the apples.
Place the sliced apples in a 2qt baking dish and toss with ¼ cup sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, and cinnamon.
Sprinkle the prepared crumble topping over the apple mixture. Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes or until golden and the apples are soft.
Serve warm or room temperature with vanilla ice cream if desired.

Use cold butter in this recipe and mix the topping until it starts to stick together and form larger pieces. If it seems powdery, it hasn’t been mixed enough.
Refrigerate the topping while prepping the apples, this helps keep it from melting and keeps it crumbly.
Use firm apples so they don’t lose their shape and become mushy while baking. Check the apples early, overbaking can cause mushy apples.
Adding nuts or granola makes the crumble extra crunchy.
Prep ahead: Prepare this apple crumble recipe up to 24 hours before baking. If making ahead, toss the apples with a spoonful of lemon juice so they don’t brown.

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

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