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Are you craving a sweet treat that warms your heart? My Caramel Apple Crumble is just what you need! With juicy apples and a crunchy topping, it’s the perfect fall dessert. Plus, it’s easy to make for any occasion. Join me as we dive into this delightful recipe, ensuring your dessert table shines with this irresistible classic! Let’s get baking and discover how to whip up this yummy crumble together.
Why I Love This Recipe
- Delicious Flavor Combination: The tartness of the apples perfectly balances the sweetness of the caramel, creating an irresistible dessert.
- Easy to Prepare: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, this recipe is perfect for both novice and experienced bakers.
- Comforting Dessert: Warm apple crumble topped with ice cream is the ultimate comfort food, especially on chilly days.
- Customizable: Feel free to experiment with different apple varieties or add nuts and spices to make it your own!
Ingredients
List of Ingredients
– 4 medium apples (recommended varieties: Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
– 1 cup granulated sugar, divided
– 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
– 1 cup all-purpose flour
– 1 cup rolled oats
– 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
– 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
– 1/4 teaspoon salt
– 1 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
– Vanilla ice cream (for serving, optional)
Recommended Apple Varieties
I love using Granny Smith and Honeycrisp apples for this dessert. Granny Smith apples are tart and hold their shape well. They create a nice contrast with the sweet crumble. Honeycrisp apples are juicy and sweet, adding a rich flavor. Mixing these apples can give your crumble a balanced taste. Feel free to try other varieties like Fuji or Gala if you like them better!
Optional Serving Suggestions
For the best experience, serve your caramel apple crumble warm. A scoop of vanilla ice cream on top makes it even better. The cold ice cream melts slightly, mixing with the warm crumble. You can also drizzle extra caramel sauce over the ice cream. This adds a sweet touch and makes the dish look more appealing. Enjoy your dessert with family and friends!

Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparing the Apples
First, gather your apples. I like using Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. These apples add a nice tartness. Peel and core the apples, then slice them thinly. In a mixing bowl, combine the sliced apples with half a cup of sugar. Add ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Toss the apples well to coat them evenly. Spread this mixture in a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Make sure the apples cover the bottom evenly.
Making the Crumble Topping
In another bowl, melt half a cup of butter. Mix this with the remaining half cup of sugar, flour, and rolled oats. Stir until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. This crumble topping gives a nice texture. You want it to be crumbly but not too dry. If it feels too wet, add a bit more flour.
Assembling and Baking the Crumble
Now it’s time to assemble. Evenly spread the crumble topping over the apples in the baking dish. Drizzle caramel sauce all over the crumble. This adds rich flavor and sweetness. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 35-40 minutes. You want the apples to be tender and the topping golden brown. Let it cool for about 10 minutes before serving. Warm servings are great with ice cream on top!
Tips & Tricks
Best Practices for Apple Selection
Choose firm apples for the best flavor and texture. I love using Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples. They balance sweetness and tartness perfectly. Always pick apples that feel heavy for their size. Avoid any that have bruises or soft spots. Fresh apples will keep your crumble from getting too mushy.
Perfecting the Crumble Texture
For a great crumble, mix the butter and dry ingredients well. You want it to look like coarse crumbs. Use cold butter for a flakier topping. If the topping is too wet, add a bit more flour or oats. Bake until the top is golden brown. This adds a nice crunch that contrasts with the soft apples.
Serving Suggestions with Ice Cream
Serve your caramel apple crumble warm for the best taste. A scoop of vanilla ice cream makes it even better. The cold ice cream melts slightly on the warm crumble. This creates a delicious mix of flavors. Drizzle extra caramel sauce over the ice cream for a sweet touch. Enjoy every bite!
Pro Tips
- Choose the Right Apples: For the best flavor and texture, use a combination of tart and sweet apples like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp.
- Make Your Own Caramel: If time allows, consider making homemade caramel sauce for a richer flavor compared to store-bought options.
- Keep it Warm: Serve the crumble warm for the best experience; reheat leftovers in the oven for a few minutes to revive the crisp topping.
- Experiment with Spices: Feel free to add other spices such as ginger or allspice to customize the flavor profile to your liking.

Variations
Adding Nuts or Spices
You can easily add nuts or spices to your caramel apple crumble. Chopped walnuts or pecans give a nice crunch. Mix in about half a cup for a tasty twist. If you like spices, try adding cardamom or ginger for a warm kick. Just a pinch can change the flavor in a fun way.
Gluten-Free Options
If you need a gluten-free option, swap the all-purpose flour with almond or oat flour. These flours work well and keep the crumble texture. You can also use gluten-free oats for the topping. Always check labels to ensure they are certified gluten-free. This way, everyone can enjoy your dessert!
Using Different Sauces
While caramel sauce shines in this recipe, you can try other sauces too. Chocolate sauce adds a sweet and rich layer. Fruit sauces, like raspberry or cherry, bring a fresh burst of flavor. Drizzle your chosen sauce over the top before serving for a delightful surprise. Experimenting with sauces lets you make this dessert your own!
Storage Info
How to Store Leftovers
To keep your caramel apple crumble fresh, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. You can also store it in an airtight container. This will help keep the crumble from getting soggy. Leftovers can stay good in the fridge for about three days. If you want to enjoy it later, consider freezing it.
Reheating Instructions
To reheat your caramel apple crumble, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the crumble in an oven-safe dish and cover it with foil. Heat for about 15-20 minutes or until it warms through. You can also use a microwave for a quicker option. Heat it in 30-second bursts until warm, but the oven gives a better texture.
Freezing Tips
You can freeze caramel apple crumble for up to three months. Before freezing, let it cool completely. Then, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. For easy use, you can freeze it in individual portions. When ready to eat, thaw it overnight in the fridge and reheat as mentioned above. Enjoy the delicious flavors even after freezing!
FAQs
Can I make caramel apple crumble ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare this dessert ahead of time. To do this, follow the recipe up to the point of baking. After assembling, cover the dish with foil or plastic wrap. Store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, just remove the cover and bake it straight from the fridge. This method helps the flavors to blend together nicely.
What is the best way to reheat this dessert?
Reheating caramel apple crumble is easy. Place individual servings in a microwave-safe dish. Heat them in the microwave for about 30 seconds to 1 minute. If you prefer the oven, preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Bake the crumble for about 10-15 minutes until warmed through. Both methods work well, but the oven gives a crispier topping.
How can I make homemade caramel sauce?
Making homemade caramel sauce is simple. You need just three ingredients:
– 1 cup granulated sugar
– 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
– 1/2 cup heavy cream
Start by heating the sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until it melts and turns golden brown. Quickly add the butter and stir until melted. Next, slowly add the heavy cream while stirring. Be careful as it may bubble. Cook for another minute, then remove from heat. Let it cool before using.
Is it possible to make this recipe vegan?
Yes, you can make this recipe vegan with a few swaps. Use plant-based butter instead of unsalted butter. For the caramel sauce, you can use coconut cream and coconut sugar to create a vegan version. Choose apples and oats that are certified vegan. This way, you can enjoy the same great taste while keeping it plant-based.
This blog post covered how to make a delicious caramel apple crumble. We went through key ingredients, including apple varieties and serving suggestions. The step-by-step instructions helped you prepare the apples and make the crumble topping smoothly. I shared tips for selecting apples and perfecting the texture. You can also explore variations, storage methods, and answers to common questions.
In the end, enjoy your homemade dessert and share it with loved one
Caramel Apple Crumble Delight
A delicious dessert featuring tender apples topped with a crunchy crumble and drizzled with caramel sauce.
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 40 minutes mins
Total Time 55 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 250 kcal
- 4 medium apples (recommended varieties: Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
- 1 cup granulated sugar, divided
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- to taste vanilla ice cream (for serving, optional)
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the sliced apples with 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Toss well to coat the apples evenly. Pour this apple mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out in an even layer.
In a separate bowl, combine the melted butter, the remaining 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, and rolled oats. Stir until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. This will create the crumble topping.
Evenly distribute the crumble mixture over the layer of apples in the baking dish, ensuring all the apples are covered.
Drizzle the caramel sauce generously over the entire crumble mixture, allowing it to seep into the layers.
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 35-40 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the crumble topping is golden brown and crisp.
Once baked, remove the dish from the oven and allow it to cool for about 10 minutes before serving.
Serve warm with vanilla ice cream for an extra treat.
Keyword apple, caramel, crumble, dessert
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