Apple crumble is one of the most comforting desserts you can make. It’s quick to prepare, perfect for using seasonal apples, and works just as well for Sunday lunch as it does for a midweek treat. Bramley cooking apples are ideal here because their tartness balances the sweet, crunchy topping.
Everyone in the family loved it and agreed it was the best apple crumble they had tasted 🙂
What You Need To Make Apple Crumble
(please scroll down for the full recipe card with quantities and instructions)
Plain Flour – this forms the base of the crumble topping. It helps give structure and that classic crumbly texture.
Demerara Sugar – adds crunch and a lovely caramel flavour. You can swap for caster sugar if you prefer a finer finish, but demerara gives a rustic bite.
Butter – cold butter is essential – rubbing it into the flour gives that breadcrumb-like texture we want in a crumble topping.
Cinnamon – brings warm spice to both the topping and the apple filling. Nutmeg or mixed spice can also be added for variation.
Bramley Apples – Bramleys are perfect as they break down slightly while baking, becoming soft and tangy under the crumble topping. If you can’t get Bramleys, use another tart apple variety. I tend to use 3 or 4 medium apples depending on dish size.
Making It
Start by preheating the oven to 180°C (160°C fan / Gas 4).
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and 2 teaspoons of cinnamon. Cinnamon provides that iconic warm, hearty taste associated with apple desserts. I really love cinnamon in desserts; if it’s not your thing, then feel free to leave it out or add in slightly less.
Add the chilled, diced butter and rub it into the flour using your fingertips until it resembles breadcrumbs. This is the key step that creates that light, crumbly topping.
Once the mixture looks right, stir through 150g of demerara sugar. Toss it through rather than pressing, so the topping stays light and airy.
Next, prepare the apples. Peel them, remove the cores, and slice into even slices about ½ cm thick. Spread them out evenly in a baking dish, then sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of demerara sugar and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon.
Tip the crumble mixture over the apples, making sure the surface is covered but without pressing down too firmly – this keeps the topping crunchy.
Bake in the oven for about 40 minutes, until the top is golden-brown and the apples are bubbling underneath.
Serve with custard or ice cream for the best experience, and be careful, as it may all be gone quicker than you think 😉
Let me know what your favourite pudding is in the comments down below.
More Baking Recipes
- Apple and Blackberry Crumble
- Rhubarb Crumble
- Apple and Cinnamon Cake
- Banana Bread
- Lemon Drizzle Cake
Apple Crumble
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Ingredients
- 300 g plain flour
- 150 g demerara sugar
- 200 g butter chilled, diced
- 2 tsp cinnamon for the crumble
- 3 or 4 medium bramley cooking apples depending on dish size
- 1 tbsp demerara sugar for the filling
- 1 tsp cinnamon for the filling
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan / Gas 4).
- Add the flour and cinnamon to a mixing bowl, and mix.
- Add the chilled butter.
- Rub the flour and butter together between your thumbs in a mixing bowl until they resemble breadcrumbs.
- Add the sugar, and toss the crumble to integrate all of the sugar.
- For the filling, peel all the apples, and slice to about half a centimetre thick.
- Place the apples evenly in the baking dish, and sprinkle with the 1 tbsp sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon.
- Cover with the crumble mixture, but make sure not to compact it.
- Bake for 40 minutes, or until golden-brown on the surface.
- Serve with custard or ice cream and enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an estimate.
Joscelyn
Saturday 4th of October 2025
Going back to childhood, my favourite pudding was a Syrup sponge pudding. I don't remember if it was a steamed or baked pudding.
Sonia Reed
Friday 3rd of October 2025
Love apple crumble, and also with added blackberries! I’m going to try your recipe in my air fryer tomorrow! Will let you know how it goes 🤞