Grandma’s Homemade Apple Crumble (Easy & Cozy Dessert)
There’s nothing quite like the smell of baked apples and cinnamon filling the kitchen. This Homemade Apple Crumble is simple, classic, and full of warm, cozy flavor. With juicy apples, a sweet buttery topping, and a hint of spice, this dessert is perfect for fall—but you’ll want it year-round.
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Why You’ll Love This Apple Crumble
Made with simple pantry ingredients
Takes just minutes to prep
No fancy tools or dough needed
Crispy topping + soft baked apples
Perfect with a scoop of vanilla ice cream
This is the kind of dessert that brings back memories—like something straight from Grandma’s kitchen.
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Ingredients for the Best Apple Crumble
For the filling:
6 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled and sliced
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon flour (to thicken)
For the crumble topping:
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup rolled oats
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup unsalted butter (cold and cubed)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon salt
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How to Make Homemade Apple Crumble
1. Preheat and Prep
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease a 9×9-inch baking dish or similar size. Set aside.
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2. Make the Apple Filling
In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with:
lemon juice
sugar
cinnamon
flour
Mix well and spread evenly in the bottom of your baking dish.
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3. Make the Crumble Topping
In another bowl, combine:
flour
oats
brown sugar
cinnamon
salt
Add the cold, cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work it into the mixture until crumbly.
Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the apples.
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4. Bake Until Golden
Bake uncovered for 40 to 45 minutes, or until:
the apples are soft
the topping is golden brown
and your kitchen smells amazing
Let cool for 10–15 minutes before serving.
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5. Serve Warm (Optional but Strongly Recommended)
Top your warm apple crumble with:
a scoop of vanilla ice cream
a dollop of whipped cream
or a drizzle of caramel sauce
Or just enjoy it plain. It’s that good.
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Tips & Variations
Use tart apples (like Granny Smith) for the best balance of sweet and tangy.
Mix in pecans or walnuts for extra crunch.
Add ½ teaspoon of nutmeg for more spice.
Make it gluten-free by using GF oats and almond flour.
Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven for best texture.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What apples work best for crumble?
Granny Smith is a top choice, but Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Braeburn also work well. A mix of sweet and tart apples gives the best flavor.
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Can I make this ahead?
Yes. Assemble the dish and keep it in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking. Or bake it fully and reheat just before serving.
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Can I freeze apple crumble?
Yes. Bake it, let it cool completely, then wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat in the oven.
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Why This Recipe Works
This old-fashioned apple crumble hits all the right notes:
Simple to make
Hard to mess up
Crowd-pleasing
Deeply comforting
It’s a recipe you’ll come back to again and again
