Apple Crumble

Apple Crumble Recipe

By Elaine Lemm

britishfood.about.com

Traditional Apple Crumble Recipe

Photo © Getty Images

British puddings and desserts are the backbone of our food; they are renowned throughout the world. There is no more a quintessential pudding than a traditional Apple Crumble. A light crisp crumble is the perfect topping for delicious British Apples which in the autumn, and winter are at their best.

 To make a crumble you can use Bramley Apples, considered the best apples for cooking because of their balance between the sugar and acid. Bramleys contain more acid and less sugar than other apples, so they keep their tangy flavor when cooked. The apple crumble can, however, be made using other apples but avoid the really hard varieties such as the Granny Smith.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Yield: Serves 4

Ingredients:

• For the Filling:
• 450 g / 1 lb apples, Bramleys or other good, medium to soft apples
• 2 tbsp golden, caster sugar***(See note below)
• Pinch of ground cinnamon (optional)
•  
• For the Topping:
• 115 g / 4 oz cold butter
• 115 g /4 oz golden caster sugar
• 175 g / 6 oz plain / all purpose flour

Preparation:

Preheat the oven to 180º C/ 375º F/ Gas 5

• Start by preparing the apples; peel, core and chop the peeled apples into chunky pieces, don't cut the apples too small or they will simply disintegrate, especially the Bramleys. Place the apples in to a shallow baking dish, approx 23 x 18 cm/ 9 x 7 inches.
• If using the cinnamon, mix with the 2 tablespoons of sugar and sprinkle over the apples, otherwise use just the sugar. Put to one side.
• In a large baking bowl, place the flour and sugar. Cut the butter into small pieces and add to the bowl.
• Rub the butter in to the flour and sugar until you have a very coarse mixture. Don't worry too much about getting the mixture really even, it is actually quite a rustic dish and works well with an uneven texture. You can also make the crumble mixture in a food processor. Place all the topping ingredients into the processor and process on pulse until you get a coarse mixture.
• Sprinkle a good layer of crumble topping over the apples, try to work on a depth half that of the apples, too thick and the middle won't cook.
• Place in to the preheated oven and bake until golden and you can just seen the apples bubbling through from underneath ( about 30 minutes).
• Remove from the oven and leave to stand for 5 minutes before serving. Serve with custard or vanilla ice cream.

There are several easy variations on the classic apple crumble if you wish to ring the changes.

1. Add a few raisins or sultanas to your apples in the baking dish.
2. Change the flour to a whole wheat to create a darker crumble topping.
3. Change the sugar to soft brown for a more caramel-type flavour to the topping and the apples.
4. Add a couple of tablespoons of your favourite muesli to the topping mixture after it is made. This will create a crunchier, more nutritious topping.

***Caster sugar is also known as fine sugar. Golden caster sugar is unrefined and tends to be more golden in colour, Don't worry if you can't find it, use ordinary white caster sugar instead.