Apple Crumble Recipe (3 Ingredient Topping)
This apple crumble recipe is truly the best that you will ever find using only 3 ingredients for the topping. Use this recipe for any fruit filling that you would normally use for a pie.
Originally published Sept. 7th, 2013
I say this best apple crumble is “simply the best” because it is unimaginably easy to make, yet the flavor is indescribably delicious.
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I have no written recipe for this crumble recipe, since my mother taught me how to make it when I was a little girl in Scotland, and just told me to remember the ratio of 2:4:6. That is: 2 oz of sugar, 4 oz of butter and 6 oz of flour.
What is Apple Crumble?
Everyone knows how buttery and delicious shortbread is; well this is a sort of crumbled shortbread topping on a warm, not too sweet, apple base.
This apple dessert is massively popular in the United Kingdom as it’s seen on many dessert menus, and still made in many home kitchens.
My personal favorite crumbles are apple, cherry, rhubarb crumble, or strawberry-rhubarb crumble, but any fruit which can be baked into a pie works perfectly. I just added pear crumble to my list of fruit crumbles!
In Britain, this dessert (pudding, as it is called there) is traditionally served with custard or cream. Either one puts this creation into the stratosphere!
It is difficult to imagine how such a simple apple crumble recipe can taste so good, but in many circumstances, “simple” is often best!
For a fancier version of this simple dessert, which really doesn’t require much more effort, try this persimmon apple crumble with rum sauce!
If you’re unsure about how to prepare the fruit, just click on the link for the partially cooked/steamed fruit that is highlighted in the recipe below. The apple and crumble come together in no time for this scrumptious treat.
Apple Crumble Recipe
Recipe by Lidia Conte serves 8
FULL PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW
Ingredients:
- sugar
- butter
- flour
- partially cooked/steamed apples
- sugar
- lemon juice
Prepare the Apples
Place the sliced apples into a medium sized pot with a little sugar and lemon juice. Put the lid on and steam for about 3 or 4 minutes, tossing to turn the apples so they cook evenly. The apples will not completely cook. Remove from the heat and open the lid to cool. Taste the apples to make sure they are as sweet as you like them (use less than more sugar as there is sugar in the topping, too.)
Prepare the Crumble Topping
Cut the butter into the flour with two knives until the pieces of butter are quite small.
Finish off mixing the butter into the flour with the tips of your fingers, until it resembles a “crumble” mixture.
Stir in the sugar.
That’s it!
Place the fruit in a baking dish or individual ramekins.
Top with all of the crumble. It will be a generous amount.
If using ramekins, place on a baking tray.
This apple crumble recipe bakes for approximately 25 minutes at 400°F (205°C) or until top is golden brown.
Since the cream in the US is very thin, sometimes I beat it ever so lightly to get a “double cream” type consistency so it’s a little thicker when pouring it on, but it’s not necessary. This really is the best apple crumble recipe you’ll find, and if you disagree, send me your best! Here’s the crumble topping recipe for the crumble on its o
Or you can make homemade custard, or use Bird’s powder, which Brits have used for many years.
Either way, I bet this apple crumble recipe will be one of your all time favorite desserts, after you make it just once!
Apple Crumble Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ½ c flour (all purpose/plain)
- ½ c butter (good quality, salted)
- ¼ c sugar
- 1 lb apples (about 5 Granny Smith, peeled, cored, sliced and steamed) – see notes
Instructions
- Cut the butter into the flour with two knives until the pieces of butter are quite small.
- Finish off mixing the butter into the flour with the tips of your fingers, until it resembles a “crumble” mixture.
- Stir in the sugar.
- Place the steamed apples in a baking dish or individual ramekins and top with the crumble mixture. If using ramekins, place on a baking tray to place the ramekins on before baking.
- Bake for approximately 25 minutes at 400°F (205°C) or until top is golden brown.
Notes
- To steam apples, you can put them in a pot with about a tablespoonful of lemon juice (or water) and a tablespoonful of sugar. Over medium heat, and with a lid on, cook the apples for about 4 minutes, tossing gently. You can also put them in the microwave for about 2 minutes.
- Since the cream in the US is very thin, I beat it ever so lightly to get a “double cream” type consistency, so it’s a little thicker when pouring it on.
- (Or you can make homemade custard, or use Bird’s powder, which Brits have used for many years.)
Nutrition
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this recipe is a recipe every Mother would love!!! with Mother’s day approaching I would suggest this as a new tradition on Mother’s Day!!!
Apple crumble is one of my husband’s favorite puddings! I was so happy to see you have a recipe for this. I think he would eat anything that has crust, I joke with him that I should just make a pie/crumble that is just crust!!!
Do you prefer Granny Smith apples over all the varieties, is it the tartness that makes it so good or can one of the sweeter varieties work as well?
I have never made a “crumble” before and I guess I never realized that there is no bottom crust?
Thanks so much!
“Fruit Bowl”
Yes, I do prefer Granny Smith for this recipe, however, other tart-ish apples will work, too! Let me know what you think CeCe, this is one of the easiest recipes you can make!