I’ll never forget the first time I made apple crumble with brown sugar and cinnamon for my family. It was a chilly autumn evening, and I wanted something warm and comforting to end our meal. The smell of baked apples and caramelized brown sugar filled the kitchen, and before I knew it, everyone was gathered around the oven, waiting impatiently for that first bite. What makes this recipe so special? It’s the perfect balance of tart apples, warm cinnamon, and that irresistible crunchy-sweet topping that turns golden in the oven. Simple ingredients, extraordinary results – that’s the magic of this classic dessert.
Why You’ll Love This Apple Crumble with Brown Sugar and Cinnamon
This apple crumble has been my go-to dessert for years, and here’s why it’ll become yours too:
- Effortless baking – No fancy techniques or equipment needed, just simple mixing and baking
- Comfort in every bite – The warm cinnamon and caramel notes from brown sugar create pure coziness
- Works for any occasion – Perfect for weeknight desserts, holiday gatherings, or even breakfast (I won’t tell!)
- Adaptable recipe – Easily adjust sweetness or add nuts if you’re feeling fancy
- The smell! – Your kitchen will smell like an autumn morning the entire time it bakes
Ingredients for Apple Crumble with Brown Sugar and Cinnamon
Here’s everything you’ll need for that perfect balance of sweet, spiced apples and buttery crumble:
- 4 medium apples – peeled and sliced (I use Granny Smith for that perfect tartness)
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar – divided (that deep molasses flavor makes all the difference)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon – divided (I always use extra for dusting at the end!)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour – spooned and leveled (no packing!)
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats – for that perfect chewy-crunchy texture
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold butter – cubed (straight from the fridge is best)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar – balances the brown sugar beautifully
- 1/4 teaspoon salt – just enough to make all the flavors pop
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
Baking is science, but we can still play around a little! Here’s how to tweak this recipe:
- Apples: Firm baking apples hold their shape best. Honeycrisp or Braeburn work great if you prefer sweeter crumbles.
- Sugar: Coconut sugar works instead of brown sugar, though the flavor will be slightly different.
- Flour: Use 1:1 gluten-free flour if needed – the texture stays perfect.
- Oats: Quick oats work in a pinch, but old-fashioned give that classic crumble texture.
- Butter: I’ve used cold coconut oil when dairy-free, but butter’s flavor can’t be beat!
Equipment You’ll Need
The beauty of this apple crumble is that you don’t need any special gadgets – just basic kitchen essentials:
- 9×9 inch baking dish – glass or ceramic works perfectly
- Mixing bowls – one for apples, one for crumble topping
- Measuring cups and spoons – for those perfect ratios
- Pastry cutter or fork – to blend the butter into the flour
- Peeler and knife – for prepping those apples
That’s it! Now let’s get baking.
How to Make Apple Crumble with Brown Sugar and Cinnamon
Okay, let’s get to the fun part – making that magical apple crumble happen! You’ll be shocked how simple this is for how impressive it turns out. Just follow these easy steps, and you’ll have everyone thinking you’re a baking pro.
Step 1: Prepare the Apples
First, grab those peeled and sliced apples and toss them in a bowl with 1/4 cup of the brown sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. I like to get my hands in there to make sure every slice gets coated evenly. Then, spread them in your baking dish – no need to be perfect, just make sure they’re in an even layer so everything bakes consistently.
Step 2: Make the Crumble Topping
Now for the best part – the crumble! In another bowl, whisk together the flour, oats, remaining brown sugar, granulated sugar, salt, and that last 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon. Here’s my secret: take your cold cubed butter and use a pastry cutter (or two forks if you’re like me and can never find yours) to cut it into the dry ingredients. Keep going until it looks like coarse crumbs with some pea-sized butter bits remaining. Those little butter pockets are what give you that amazing crispy texture!
Step 3: Bake to Perfection
Sprinkle that beautiful crumble mixture all over your apples – don’t press down, just let it sit loosely on top. Pop it in your preheated 350°F oven and wait for the magic! It’ll take about 35-40 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the topping is golden brown and you can see the apple juices bubbling around the edges. Resist the urge to dive right in – let it cool for 10 minutes so it sets up perfectly.
Tips for the Best Apple Crumble with Brown Sugar and Cinnamon
After making this apple crumble dozens of times, I’ve picked up some tricks that take it from good to “can I have thirds?” good:
- Chill your topping – After mixing, pop the crumble in the fridge for 15 minutes. The cold butter melts slower, creating extra crispy pockets!
- Taste your apples first – Tart Granny Smiths need the full sugar amount, but sweeter varieties might need less.
- Slice apples evenly – About 1/4 inch thick ensures they cook through without turning mushy.
- Don’t skip the salt – That tiny pinch makes all the flavors sing together.
Trust me, these little touches make all the difference between a good dessert and the one everyone begs you to make again!
Serving Suggestions
Oh, the possibilities with this apple crumble! My absolute favorite way is piping hot with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream melting over the top – the cold creaminess against the warm spiced apples is heavenly. For breakfast (yes, I said breakfast!), try it with Greek yogurt or whipped cream. It’s equally perfect as a fancy dinner party dessert or a cozy treat after Sunday supper.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Now, let’s talk about leftovers (if you’re lucky enough to have any!). This apple crumble keeps beautifully covered in the fridge for about 3 days. Here’s my trick for reheating: skip the microwave unless you like soggy topping – instead, pop servings in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes to bring back that wonderful crispiness. The apples get all warm and gooey again, and the topping crisps right back up like magic. You can even freeze the baked crumble for up to 2 months – just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Nutritional Information
Now, I’m no nutritionist, but here’s the scoop on what’s in each serving of this delicious apple crumble (based on my exact recipe): About 320 calories, with 28g of sugar from all that caramelized goodness, and 12g of fat to make it perfectly rich. Of course, your exact numbers might vary depending on your apple sweetness and butter brand – but let’s be real, when something tastes this good, who’s counting?
FAQs About Apple Crumble with Brown Sugar and Cinnamon
Over the years, I’ve gotten so many questions about this apple crumble that I could probably write a book! Here are the ones that come up most often with my tried-and-true answers:
Can I freeze apple crumble?
Absolutely! This dessert freezes like a dream. Just bake and cool completely, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil. It’ll keep for about 2 months in the freezer. When you’re ready, thaw it in the fridge overnight and reheat in a 350°F oven until warmed through – about 15-20 minutes. The topping stays surprisingly crispy!
What are the best apples for crumble?
I swear by Granny Smith for their perfect tartness that balances the sweet topping, but any firm baking apple works. Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Pink Lady are great for sweeter crumbles. Just avoid mealy apples like Red Delicious – they turn to mush!
How do I make this gluten-free?
Easy peasy! Just swap the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend (I like the ones with xanthan gum already added). Keep everything else the same – the texture turns out just as deliciously crumbly.
Can I make this ahead of time?
You sure can! Prep the apple filling and crumble topping separately, store them in the fridge (topping in a ziplock bag), and assemble right before baking. The cold butter in the topping actually makes it extra crispy!
“Heavenly Apple Crumble with Brown Sugar & Cinnamon Recipe”
A classic apple crumble dessert with a sweet brown sugar and cinnamon topping.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 4 medium apples, peeled and sliced
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup butter, cold and cubed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Toss the apple slices with 1/4 cup brown sugar and 1/2 tsp cinnamon.
- Spread the apples evenly in a baking dish.
- In a bowl, mix flour, oats, remaining brown sugar, granulated sugar, salt, and remaining cinnamon.
- Cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Sprinkle the crumble topping over the apples.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes until the topping is golden and the apples are tender.
- Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Use firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for best results.
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
- The crumble can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
