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A freshly baked apple crumble in a white ceramic dish, showcasing a golden-brown, crumbly topping.

Amazing apple crumble: 1 hour comfort

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Written by Alex Hayes

August 11, 2025

Oh, fall! It just feels like the season for cozy sweaters, crisp air, and, of course, delicious homemade desserts. And when I think of comforting, soul-satisfying treats, my mind immediately goes to a warm, bubbling apple pie. Seriously, there’s nothing quite like digging into a bowl of tender baked apples with that perfectly crunchy, buttery topping. This old fashioned apple crumble recipe is a timeless classic for a reason – it’s all about simple, pure joy. It’s the kind of dessert that makes your house smell amazing and brings everyone to the table, whether it’s a busy weeknight or a special holiday. You know, I used to be the opposite of a kitchen person, totally burnt out and convinced I couldn’t cook. But finding that peace in creating something simple and delicious, like this apple crumble, changed everything for me. It’s that same philosophy of making incredible food without the fuss that I want to share with you right here.

Why You’ll Love This Old Fashioned Apple Crumble

Honestly, why wouldn’t you love this apple crumble? It’s seriously the best!

  • So Easy to Make: We’re talking minimal fuss and maximum flavor. It’s a true uncomplicated comfort food dream.
  • Pure Comfort: That warm, spiced apple filling with the perfectly golden, crumbly topping? Pure bliss.
  • So Versatile: It’s perfect for a casual weeknight treat or dressing up for guests. This quick apple dessert fits any occasion!

The Best Apples for Your Apple Crumble

Choosing the right apples is like picking the right song for a cozy afternoon – it just makes everything better! For an apple crumble, you really want apples that hold their shape and have a nice balance of sweet and tart. My absolute favorites are Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala because they have that perfect crispness and sweetness. But don’t be afraid to mix them up! Using a combination, maybe a tart Granny Smith with a sweeter Honeycrisp, gives your apple crumble so much more depth. Make sure you peel them, get rid of the cores, and slice them up nicely – about a quarter-inch thick is perfect so they bake through but don’t turn to mush in your yummy crumble.

Crafting the Perfect Apple Crumble Topping

Okay, let’s talk about the star of the show, besides those glorious apples, of course: the crumble topping! This is what really makes an old fashioned apple crumble shine. Forget those fancy crumbles with complicated stuff; we’re keeping it simple and delicious. You’ll want about 1 and a half cups of all-purpose flour, a cup of good old rolled oats – trust me, the oats add that perfect texture, making it an amazing apple crumble with oats – and then a generous three-quarters of a cup of packed brown sugar for that deep, caramelly sweetness. A little salt, just half a teaspoon, to balance it all out. The real magic happens with the butter. You need three-quarters of a cup, which is about a stick and a half, of cold, unsalted butter, cut into little cubes. That cold butter is key to getting those lovely coarse crumbs. You can use a pastry blender, or honestly, your own two hands work just fine! Just rub it all together until it looks like big, delicious crumbs. It’s that easy to get a fantastic, easy apple crumble topping!

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Your Apple Crumble

Alright, let’s get this amazing apple crumble into the oven! It’s super straightforward, I promise. First things first, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). While that’s heating up, grab a big bowl. Toss your sliced apples with a tablespoon of lemon juice – that just keeps them from browning too much and adds a little brightness. Then, sprinkle in about a quarter cup of granulated sugar, a teaspoon of cinnamon, and a pinch of nutmeg. Give it all a good stir so those apples are coated in all that cozy spice. Pour this beautiful apple mixture into an 8×8 inch baking dish. Now, for that glorious topping! In a completely separate bowl, whisk together your flour, those lovely rolled oats, the packed brown sugar, and that half teaspoon of salt. Then, cut in those cubes of cold butter. You can use a pastry blender, or just use your fingertips to rub the butter into the dry ingredients until it looks like coarse crumbs. It should feel a bit like wet sand. Sprinkle that crumble topping evenly all over the apples in the baking dish. Pop it into your preheated oven and let it bake for about 35 to 45 minutes. You’re looking for that topping to be golden brown and gorgeous, and for the apples underneath to be tender and bubbling happily around the edges. Once it’s out, let it rest for at least 10 minutes before you dig in. Trust me, that little bit of cooling time makes all the difference!

Tips for a Perfect Old Fashioned Apple Crumble

Making a truly fantastic old fashioned apple crumble isn’t tricky at all, but a few little secrets can really elevate it from good to absolutely divine. First up, when you’re making that crumbly topping, you absolutely *must* use cold butter. Seriously, straight from the fridge! This is what creates those lovely, distinct crumbs instead of a greasy paste. Just cut it into small cubes and work it in quickly.

Another thing: don’t overmix your apple filling. A gentle toss is all it needs to coat the apples with the sugar and spices. You don’t want a mushy apple mixture before it even hits the oven! And when it comes to checking if it’s done? Besides that gorgeous golden-brown topping and bubbly fruit, you can gently poke the apples with a small knife. They should be tender, easily pierced, but not falling apart. That’s the sign of a perfectly cooked, old fashioned apple crumble.

Making Your Apple Crumble Ahead and Storing Leftovers

Life gets busy, right? I totally get it. So, good news: you can totally prep this apple crumble ahead of time! You can mix up those apple slices with the sugar and spices and keep them covered in the fridge for a day, or even freeze them for longer. The topping? Oh, that’s even easier. Just whip up the crumb mixture and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for a few days, or in the freezer for longer. When you’re ready to bake, just assemble as usual and add a few extra minutes to the baking time if it’s coming from the fridge or freezer.

And what about leftovers? If you’re lucky enough to *have* any leftover apple crumble (which is rare in my house!), it stores beautifully in the fridge for about 3 days. Reheating is super simple. For that perfectly crisp topping, I always recommend popping a slice into a moderate oven (around 350°F or 175°C) for about 10-15 minutes. If you’re in a hurry, the microwave works too – just be aware the topping might not get quite as crunchy. Either way way, it’s still delicious!

Frequently Asked Questions About Apple Crumble

Got questions about making this amazing apple crumble? I’ve got answers! It’s rare for me to have leftovers, but when I do, people always ask me the same things. Let’s dive into some common queries about this comforting dessert.

What are the best apples for apple crumble?

For the absolute best apple crumble, I really love a mix! Using apples that hold their shape and have a bit of tartness, like Granny Smith, alongside sweeter ones like Honeycrisp or Fuji, really makes a difference. They bake up perfectly tender without turning to sauce, giving you that lovely texture in every bite of your apple crumble.

Can I make apple crumble without oats?

Oh yes, absolutely! If you don’t have oats or just prefer a different texture, you can totally skip them. Just use an extra half cup of flour and maybe a tablespoon more brown sugar in the topping. While I adore the oats for that classic apple crumble with oats vibe, it’ll still be delicious and perfectly crumbly without them!

How long does apple crumble last?

If you somehow manage to have any leftover apple crumble – score! – it’ll keep nicely in an airtight container in the fridge for about 3 days. To reheat, my favorite way is to pop a slice into a moderate oven for about 10-15 minutes to get that topping all crisp and lovely again.

Nutritional Estimate for Your Apple Crumble

Just a little note here: the nutritional info can totally change depending on the exact apples you use and how much butter sneaks into your topping (oops!). But generally, you’re looking at around 450 calories per serving, with about 22g of fat, 4g of protein, and a good 60g of carbs. Sweet, right? It’s all part of the comfort!

Share Your Apple Crumble Creations!

Alright, now that you’ve got the scoop on how to make this truly amazing old fashioned apple crumble, I’d LOVE to hear about it! Did you try it? How did it turn out? Did you add any special twists? Please share your experience and maybe even your favorite variations in the comments below. Knowing how you guys are making this apple crumble your own really makes my day!

You can also share it on my Facebook page!

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Old Fashioned Apple Crumble

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Enjoy a comforting, old-fashioned apple crumble that’s easy to make and perfect for any occasion. This recipe focuses on simple ingredients and classic flavors for a delicious dessert.

  • Author: purejoyalex
  • Prep Time: 20 min
  • Cook Time: 40 min
  • Total Time: 60 min
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 medium apples (such as Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji), peeled, cored, and sliced
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with lemon juice, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Pour the apple mixture into an 8×8 inch baking dish.
  3. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, and salt.
  4. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  5. Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the apples.
  6. Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender and bubbly.
  7. Let the crumble cool for at least 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, use a mix of apple varieties.
  • If you prefer a crispier topping, add an extra tablespoon of butter.
  • Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
  • Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 35g
  • Sodium: 150mg
  • Fat: 22g
  • Saturated Fat: 13g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 60g
  • Fiber: 5g
  • Protein: 4g
  • Cholesterol: 65mg

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Hi, I'm Alex! I believe incredible food doesn't have to be complicated. Here at Pure Cooking Joy, I share delicious, approachable recipes designed to bring happiness back into your kitchen. Let's get cooking!

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