Old-Fashioned Apple Crumble

This is the queen of old-fashioned desserts — the kind that fills your kitchen with the scent of cinnamon, sugar, and home. This apple crumble is one of those recipes. With juicy baked apples, a golden brown sugar streusel, and just the right touch of spice, it’s as comforting as it is simple to make. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or enjoy it straight from the dish — either way, it’s a cozy classic that never goes out of style.

Ingredients

Streusel Topping:

2 cups all-purpose flour, packed

1 ½ cups brown sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, melted

Filling:

5 pounds Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and sliced or diced into bite-sized pieces (about 4 large + 3 regular apples)

½ cup granulated sugar

½ cup brown sugar

3 tablespoons lemon juice

¼ cup cornstarch

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Variation:

For a berry or cherry crumble, substitute the cinnamon in the filling only with 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and a splash of almond extract. Keep the cinnamon in the crumble topping.

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat Oven

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.

Step 2: Make the Crumble Topping

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.

Add the melted butter and stir with a fork until the mixture is evenly moistened and crumbly. Set aside.

Step 3: Prepare the Filling

In a large bowl, combine the apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, lemon juice, cornstarch, salt, and cinnamon. Toss until well coated.

Transfer the apple mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread into an even layer.

Step 4: Assemble and Bake

Sprinkle the crumble mixture evenly over the apple filling.

Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the edges are bubbling and the top is golden brown.

Allow the crumble to cool for at least 15 minutes before serving.

Serving Suggestions

Top warm crumble with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Drizzle with caramel sauce for extra sweetness.

Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days; reheat gently before serving.

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