Apple Crumble Recipe for Sweet Fall Comfort

Apple crumble is an amazing dessert that brings the essence of autumn straight to the table.

Slices of seasonal apples soften in the oven, releasing their natural sweetness beneath a buttery crumble topping.

The golden crust bakes crisp, adding contrast to the warm fruit filling underneath.

Cinnamon and nutmeg lend gentle spice, filling the kitchen with a cozy, inviting aroma.

It’s a simple recipe that requires little effort yet delivers flavor and texture that feel complete.

Apple crumble works just as well for casual family dinners as it does for festive gatherings.

Served warm with cream or ice cream, it’s a dessert that never loses its charm.

Tasty Pairings For James Martin Apple Crumble

• Pair with Vanilla Custard Companion: The homemade vanilla custard already included in the recipe creates a luxurious, creamy complement that perfectly enhances the warm, crumbly dessert's textures and flavors.
• Sip Spiced Chai Tea: A fragrant, warming chai tea with cardamom, cinnamon, and ginger notes beautifully matches the sweet apple and blackberry filling, creating a cozy autumn-inspired taste experience.
• Match with Calvados Splash: A small pour of French apple brandy adds sophisticated depth, intensifying the apple's natural sweetness and providing a subtle alcoholic warmth to the dessert.
• Serve with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Smooth, cold vanilla ice cream offers a delightful temperature contrast against the hot crumble, while its creamy richness complements the fruit's tartness and buttery crumble topping.

How To Store James Martin Apple Crumble Correctly

• Store leftover apple crumble in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or a lid to prevent moisture loss and absorption of other food odors.
• Wrap the cooled crumble securely in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Place in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2-3 months. Avoid freezing the custard separately.
• Preheat oven to 150 degrees Celsius. Remove from refrigerator and let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes. Cover with foil to prevent burning and warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through.
• Heat individual portions for 30-45 seconds on medium power.

FAQ Help For James Martin Apple Crumble

• What makes the crumble topping unique?

The crumble topping is made by mixing butter, flour, and sugar with fingertips to create a breadcrumb-like texture, which gives it a light, crumbly consistency.

• Can I use different fruits in this recipe?

Absolutely! While the recipe uses apples and blackberries, you can experiment with other fruits like peaches, pears, or mixed berries to create your own variation.

• How do I know when the custard is ready?

The custard is ready when it thickens and coats the back of a spoon, which typically happens after whisking constantly over medium heat.

• Is the vanilla bean necessary for the custard?

The vanilla bean adds rich, authentic flavor, but you can substitute with vanilla extract if you don’t have a bean available.

Why James Martin Apple Crumble Is A Warm Classic

• Craft Family Comfort: Delightful dessert that brings everyone together with its warm flavors and simple preparation.
• Master Beginner-Friendly Baking: Straightforward recipe perfect for novice cooks, requiring minimal technical skills and basic kitchen tools.
• Seasonal Celebration Dish: Versatile dessert that showcases fresh seasonal fruits, making it ideal for autumn gatherings and cozy family meals.
• Create Customizable Delight: Flexible recipe allowing easy modifications with different fruits or added spices to suit personal taste preferences.

All You Need For James Martin Apple Crumble

• Apples: Fresh, sweet fruits that provide the main flavor and texture for the crumble.
• Blackberries: Juicy berries that add a tart and rich depth to the fruit layer.
• Sugar: Enhances the natural sweetness of the fruits and caramelizes during baking.

• Flour: Creates the base for the crumbly and crisp topping.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps create the classic breadcrumb-like texture.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps the topping achieve a golden-brown color.

• Milk: Forms the creamy liquid base for the smooth custard.
• Double Cream: Adds richness and creates a luxurious texture.
• Egg Yolks: Thickens the custard and gives a silky, smooth consistency.
• Sugar: Sweetens the custard and balances the flavors.
• Vanilla Bean: Provides a deep, aromatic flavor and characteristic specks in the custard.

How To Bake James Martin Apple Crumble Easily

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to a toasty 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius), getting ready for a delightful baking adventure.

Step 2: Create Crumbly Topping

Grab your butter and slice it into small pieces. Using your fingertips, gently mix the butter with flour until it looks like fluffy breadcrumbs. Sprinkle in sugar and blend everything together until perfectly combined.

Step 3: Prepare Fruity Base

Arrange chopped apples and blackberries in a baking dish. Dust the fruits with a light layer of sugar, creating a sweet foundation for your crumble.

Step 4: Bake the Crumble

Spread the crumbly topping evenly over the fruit. Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes until the top turns golden and the fruits bubble with delicious juices.

Step 5: Craft Silky Custard

• Milk
• Heavy cream
• Vanilla bean
• Vanilla seeds

Heat the mixture over medium flame until it starts to simmer.

Step 6: Temper the Egg Mixture

In a separate bowl, whisk together egg yolks and sugar until smooth and pale. Slowly pour the hot milk mixture into the egg mixture, stirring constantly to prevent scrambling.

Step 7: Finish the Custard

Return the combined mixture to the saucepan. Whisk continuously over medium heat until the custard thickens and coats the back of a spoon.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Pour the warm, velvety custard over the freshly baked crumble. Serve immediately and savor the incredible combination of crispy topping and sweet, tender fruits.

Tips To Get James Martin Apple Crumble Just Right

• Select firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Bramley that hold their shape during baking and provide a perfect balance of sweetness and acidity.
• Taste your apples before adding sugar – ripe, sweet fruits may need less sugar compared to tart varieties to maintain a balanced flavor profile.
• Stir continuously while heating the custard and remove from heat immediately when it thickens to prevent curdling and achieve a smooth, silky texture.

Fun Takes On James Martin Apple Crumble

• Gluten-Free Fruit Crumble: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free oat flour for a celiac-friendly version.
• Vegan Berry Crumble: Swap butter with coconut oil, use plant-based milk, and replace egg yolks with cornstarch for thickening the custard.
• Low-Sugar Seasonal Crumble: Substitute sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, and use seasonal fruits like pears or peaches instead of apples and blackberries.
• Nutty Crunch Variation: Add chopped almonds or pecans to the crumble topping for extra texture and a rich, toasted flavor profile.

Apple Crumble Recipe

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4.6 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Apple crumble is all about contrast: soft, cinnamon-spiced fruit under a buttery topping. Serve it warm for maximum effect.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Fruits:

• 1 kilogram Bramley apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
• 300 grams blackberries

Dry Ingredients:

• 250 grams plain flour
• 250 grams Demerara sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 75 grams caster sugar

Wet Ingredients and Others:

• 250 grams butter, diced and chilled
• 8 egg yolks
• 300 milliliters milk
• 300 milliliters double cream

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C, ensuring the rack is positioned in the center for even heat distribution.
2. Create the crumble topping by gently rubbing cold butter into flour using fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs. Fold in sugar until evenly combined.
3. Arrange sliced apples and blackberries in a baking dish, generously sprinkling additional sugar over the fruit to enhance natural sweetness.
4. Evenly distribute the crumble mixture across the fruit, covering the entire surface with a light, textured layer.
5. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until the topping turns golden brown and the fruit bubbles around the edges.
6. For the custard, combine milk, double cream, vanilla bean, and seeds in a saucepan over medium heat, bringing to a gentle simmer.
7. Whisk egg yolks with sugar in a separate bowl until pale and smooth.
8. Gradually pour the hot milk mixture into the egg yolks, stirring constantly to prevent curdling.
9. Return the combined mixture to the saucepan, whisking continuously over low heat until the custard thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
10. Serve the crumble hot from the oven with the warm vanilla custard spooned alongside.

Notes

• Ensure butter is cold and firm when mixing with flour for the perfect crumbly texture.
• Use a variety of apple types like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp for balanced sweetness and tartness.
• Try other flour options like gluten-free flour blends for dietary restrictions.
• Adjust sugar quantity based on the natural sweetness of the fruits to control overall dessert sweetness.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: British

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 542
• Sugar: 44 g
• Sodium: 40 mg
• Fat: 33 g
• Saturated Fat: 20 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 54 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 210 mg