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- 4 large Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and sliced - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon - 1/2 cup packed brown sugar - 1 cup rolled oats - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour - 1/3 cup granulated sugar - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract - Optional: Vanilla ice cream for serving For this cinnamon apple crumble, I like to use Granny Smith apples. They have a nice tartness that balances the sweetness. The lemon juice adds brightness, while the cinnamon gives warmth. You’ll mix brown sugar and granulated sugar for rich sweetness. The oats and flour create that delightful crumble topping. Melted unsalted butter brings it all together, giving the topping a nice texture. Salt enhances the flavors, while vanilla extract adds a hint of sweetness. If you want to make it extra special, serve it warm with vanilla ice cream. It’s a delicious combination! {{ingredient_image_2}} First, set your oven to 350°F (175°C). This heat will help the dish cook evenly. While the oven warms up, start prepping the apples. Use four large Granny Smith apples. Peel them, then core and slice them thinly. Thin slices cook better and soak up flavors well. In a big bowl, add your sliced apples. Squeeze one tablespoon of fresh lemon juice over them. The lemon juice will keep the apples fresh and bright. Next, sprinkle in one teaspoon of ground cinnamon and half a cup of packed brown sugar. Mix everything well. Make sure the apples are coated evenly with the spices and sugar. In another bowl, combine one cup of rolled oats, half a cup of all-purpose flour, and one-third cup of granulated sugar. Add half a teaspoon of salt for taste. Melt half a cup of unsalted butter and mix it in. Use your hands or a spoon to blend until the mixture feels crumbly. You want a texture that holds but is still loose enough to sprinkle. Now, take the apple mixture and spread it in a greased 9-inch baking dish. Make sure it is even across the bottom. Next, sprinkle the crumble topping over the apples. Cover them completely. Place the dish in the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Look for a golden brown top and bubbling apples. This shows your crumble is ready. After baking, let it cool for about 5-10 minutes before serving. This lets the flavors settle. Enjoy! For a great cinnamon apple crumble, choose tart apples. I recommend Granny Smith apples. They hold their shape and add a nice tang. Honeycrisp and Fuji apples also work well for sweetness. Store your apples in a cool, dark place before use. This keeps them crisp and fresh. You can change the sugar in the recipe to suit your taste. If you like it sweeter, add more brown sugar. For a less sweet option, cut back on the sugar. You can also use honey or maple syrup instead of sugar. These add a unique flavor, too. To keep the crumble topping from being soggy, mix the ingredients well. Make sure to use cold butter. This helps create a nice crunch. Bake the crumble until it is golden brown on top. This usually takes about 30-35 minutes. The apples should be soft and bubbly under the topping. Pro Tips Choose the Right Apples: Granny Smith apples are perfect for this recipe due to their tartness, which balances the sweetness of the crumble. Experiment with Spices: Feel free to add nutmeg or allspice for an extra layer of flavor that complements the cinnamon beautifully. Make it Ahead: Prepare the apple filling and crumble topping a day in advance, then assemble and bake just before serving for a fresh dessert. Serve Warm: Enjoy this crumble warm from the oven, paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate comfort dessert experience. {{image_4}} You can easily adapt this recipe to meet different dietary needs. To make it gluten-free, simply swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend. This will keep the texture and taste while catering to those avoiding gluten. For a vegan version, replace the unsalted butter with coconut oil or a plant-based butter. Both options will maintain that rich, satisfying taste. Adding a handful of nuts can give your crumble a nice crunch. Walnuts or pecans work great. Dried fruits, like raisins or cranberries, add sweetness too. If you want to spice things up, try adding nutmeg or ginger. Just a pinch can bring a new depth to the flavors. This crumble is perfect warm. Pair it with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream. The cold ice cream melts into the warm crumble, creating a delightful mix. You can also serve it with whipped cream for a light touch. For something different, try it with yogurt or fresh cream. It makes a lovely breakfast treat or a sweet snack. To keep your cinnamon apple crumble fresh, store it in the fridge. Let it cool completely first. Use an airtight container for the best results. This helps keep the topping from getting soggy. You can also cover the dish with plastic wrap. You can reheat your crumble in two ways: the oven or the microwave. The oven is best for keeping the texture. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the crumble in the oven for about 10-15 minutes. This will make the topping crisp again. If you choose the microwave, heat it in short bursts. Start with 30 seconds and check if it’s warm enough. You can freeze the crumble if you have leftovers. To do this, let it cool and then place it in a freezer-safe container. Make sure to label it with the date. When you want to eat it, take it out and let it thaw in the fridge overnight. Reheat it in the oven for the best texture. You can tell if the crumble is done by looking at its color. The top should be a golden brown. The apples should be soft and bubbling. A good way to check is to poke the apples with a fork. If they are tender, it is ready. The internal temperature should reach about 200°F (93°C). This ensures that the apples are cooked well. Yes, you can use other fruits! Pears, peaches, or berries work well. Just make sure to adjust the sugar based on the fruit's sweetness. You can also mix different fruits. For example, combine apples and blueberries for a tasty twist. This gives you fun flavors and color. Your crumble can last about 3 to 4 days in the fridge. To store it, keep it in an airtight container. This helps it stay fresh. Look for signs of spoilage like a strange smell or mold. If you see these signs, it’s best to throw it away. Making a cinnamon apple crumble is easy and fun. We covered the best ingredients, from fresh apples to sweeteners and spices. You learned how to prepare the apples and make the perfect crumble topping. I shared tips for selecting apples and adjusting sweetness for your taste. You can even try variations to suit special diets or add unique flavors. Finally, proper storage ensures your leftovers stay fresh. Enjoy this tasty dessert!

Cinnamon Apple Crumble

A warm and comforting dessert featuring spiced apples topped with a crunchy oat crumble.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 250 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 4 large apples (preferably Granny Smith), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 0.5 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
  • 0.33 cup granulated sugar
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 0.5 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 serving vanilla ice cream (optional) for serving

Instructions
 

  • Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it's ready for the crumble.
  • In a spacious mixing bowl, add the sliced apples, then drizzle with lemon juice, sprinkle with ground cinnamon, and pour in the brown sugar. Toss the ingredients together thoroughly until the apples are well coated in the mixture.
  • Carefully transfer the apple mixture into a generously greased 9-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly across the base for uniform cooking.
  • In a separate, medium bowl, combine the rolled oats, all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, melted butter, salt, and vanilla extract. Mix these ingredients together until you achieve a crumbly texture that holds together slightly.
  • Using your hands or a spoon, evenly distribute the oat mixture over the layer of apples in the baking dish, making sure to cover all of the apples completely.
  • Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the topping becomes a gorgeous golden brown and the apples are soft and bubbling underneath.
  • Once baked, remove the crumble from the oven and allow it to cool slightly for about 5-10 minutes before serving, as this will help the flavors settle.

Notes

For an extra touch of indulgence, serve the warm crumble with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream or a fluffy dollop of whipped cream on top.
Keyword apple, cinnamon, crumble, dessert