Apple Crumble (with Custard or Cream)
In short: Tart apples under a buttery, crumbly topping with a handful of oats, baked until bubbling. Serve hot with custard, cream or ice cream. It takes about 1 h 10 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 45 min
- Resting
- 10 min
- Total
- 1 h 10 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 415 kcal
Apple crumble is the pudding many British children learn to make first: tart apples under a buttery, crumbly topping, baked until the juices bubble. It uses pantry basics and takes minutes to assemble. A handful of oats in the topping adds crunch, and a little cinnamon warms the fruit. Serve it straight from the oven with hot custard, cold cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and expect people to ask for seconds.
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 190°C (375°F). Toss the apples with the sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice and water in a 2 liter (8 cup) baking dish.
- For the topping, rub the butter into the flour and salt with your fingertips until it looks like coarse breadcrumbs with a few larger lumps.
- Stir in the sugar and oats. Scatter the crumble evenly over the apples without pressing it down.
- Bake for 40 to 45 minutes until the top is golden and the filling bubbles at the edges. The apples should feel soft when pierced with a knife.
- Let it rest for 10 minutes, then serve warm with custard, cream or ice cream.
Tips
- Keep the butter cold and use a light touch for a crumbly topping. For extra crunch, add 30 g (1/4 cup) of chopped hazelnuts.
- A mix of tart cooking apples, which collapse into a soft sauce, and firm eating apples, which hold their shape, gives the best texture. Blackberries are a good autumn addition.
Questions and answers
What is the difference between a crumble and a crisp?
A British crumble topping is mostly flour, butter and sugar, while an American crisp usually relies on oats and sometimes nuts. The two overlap, and this version uses a small amount of oats.
Can I make apple crumble ahead?
Yes. Assemble it unbaked and chill for up to a day, or freeze it for a month. Bake from chilled for about 50 minutes, or from frozen for about an hour.
Which apples are best for crumble?
Tart cooking apples such as Bramley soften into a fluffy sauce, while eating apples keep their shape. A mix of both gives the best result.
How long does it take to make Apple Crumble (with Custard or Cream)?
About 1 h 10 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 45 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Apple Crumble (with Custard or Cream)?
About 415 kcal per serving, with 4 g of protein, 69 g of carbohydrates and 14 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 415 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 4 g |
| Carbohydrates | 69 g |
| Fat | 14 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 36 g |
| Sodium | 105 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
