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A classic apple cinnamon crumble with golden oat topping in a baking dish, served with ice cream

Classic Apple Cinnamon Crumble

A classic apple cinnamon crumble with tender spiced apples and a buttery oat topping. Serve it warm with vanilla ice cream or custard for dessert.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 380
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 1/2 lb 1.1 kg mixed apples (such as Granny Smith and Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and sliced 1/4 inch (6 mm) thick
  • 1/3 cup 65 g granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup 125 g all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup 90 g old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 3/4 cup 150 g light brown sugar, packed
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
  • 1/2 cup 115 g cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
  • vanilla ice cream or custard to serve

Method
 

  1. Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Butter a 9 x 13-inch (23 x 33 cm) baking dish, or a deep 9-inch (23 cm) pie dish.
  2. Toss the apples with the granulated sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, cornstarch, and vanilla in a large bowl. Tip into the prepared dish and spread evenly.
  3. In a separate bowl, mix the flour, oats, brown sugar, and salt. Add the cold butter and rub it in with your fingertips, or cut it in with a pastry cutter, until the mixture forms coarse, pea-size crumbs with some larger pieces.
  4. Scatter the topping evenly over the apples, without pressing it down.
  5. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the topping is deep golden and the filling is bubbling at the edges.
  6. Rest for 10 to 15 minutes before serving, so the filling sets slightly. Serve warm with ice cream or custard.

Notes

Keep the butter cold: cold butter makes a crisp, crumbly topping, while soft butter turns it greasy.
Add 1/2 cup (60 g) of chopped walnuts or pecans to the topping for extra crunch.
For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free flour blend and certified gluten-free oats.
Swap half the apples for pears for a softer, more fragrant filling.
Estimated nutrition per serving (without ice cream): 380 calories, 4 g protein, 62 g carbohydrates, 14 g fat. Values are estimates only and will vary with the apple varieties and toppings used.