Skip the sponge: Easy apple crumble steals the holiday show
When preparing cakes for the holidays or other important occasions, it often seems like something always goes wrong. Easter baking, in particular, can be stressful, so why not skip the finicky sponge cake this time? Instead, try a classic apple crumble—this recipe is foolproof.
The apple crumble recipe is incredibly simple, and the ingredients are budget-friendly. All you really need is flour, sugar, butter, and apples. The additional ingredients enhance the texture and flavor, but they're not essential.
What spices to add to apples for apple crumble?
Traditionally, cinnamon is added, but there's no need for extra sugar since apples are already naturally sweet. To boost the aroma of the filling, consider adding half a teaspoon of grated ginger and half a teaspoon of ground cardamom.
You can also mix the apples with raisins or dried cranberries. If you like, add a few cloves while frying, but remember to remove them before placing the apples on the pre-baked crust.
Recipe for apple crumble
The following proportions are suitable for a large springform pan with a diameter of about 9–10 inches or a rectangular tray measuring approximately 9 x 11 inches.
Ingredients for the crust:
- 12 oz all-purpose flour
- 7 oz cold butter
- 3.5 oz fine sugar or powdered sugar
- 1 packet of vanilla sugar or seeds from a vanilla pod
- A pinch of salt
- 1 egg yolk
- Optional: 1 tablespoon of 18% cream
Ingredients for the filling:
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 3.3 lbs apples
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 lemon-flavored jelly
- 1 tablespoon potato starch
Ingredients for the crumble:
- 7 oz all-purpose flour
- 3.5 oz sugar
- 3.5 oz butter
Instructions:
- Sift the flour into a large bowl, and add the fine sugar or powdered sugar, vanilla sugar, a pinch of salt, cold butter cut into cubes, and one egg yolk. Mix the ingredients. If the dough doesn't come together, add a tablespoon of cream. Wrap the combined dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30–60 minutes.
- Peel the apples and remove the cores. Melt butter in a pan and add the apples cut into cubes. Fry until they are soft, then add cinnamon and mix.
- In a small amount of cold water (about 1.7 fl oz), dissolve the jelly with 1 tablespoon of potato starch. Add to the apples in the pan, and mix. Once thickened, remove from heat and set aside to cool.
- Preheat the oven to 356 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove the dough from the refrigerator and line the bottom and sides of a springform pan or large rectangular tray. Pierce the dough with a fork and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, make the crumble by combining flour and regular sugar in a bowl. Add cold butter and rub together with your fingers. Chill briefly in the refrigerator.
- Place the cooled apples on the pre-baked crust, then sprinkle with the prepared crumble.
- Lower the oven temperature to 338 degrees Fahrenheit and bake for 60 minutes.
