Apple Crumble

Want to learn how to make Apple Crumble with a delicious pecan crumble topping? This apple crumble recipe calls for tart apples, apple cider, cinnamon and more. This classic crumble recipe is the perfect comforting dessert for the fall months ahead.

Love apple desserts? Don’t miss Spiced Apple Upside Down Cake with Bourbon Caramel Glaze and Vegan Apple Crisp.

In celebration of October, let’s do some baking with apples!

Now, this recipe has a funny story behind it.

We now call it “Apple Buddy” in our house because a friend of my sister’s once misunderstood that we were calling it Apple Betty and called it Apple Buddy instead.

(Funnily enough, I learned later that it’s not actually an Apple Betty at all!)

So. No matter what you call this recipe, it’s a delicious fall dessert!

Why I love this recipe:

This Apple Crumble is a simple dish is similar to a cobbler or a crisp.

Except I’ve jazzed up the topping because I really like a good crunch on desserts like these.

Granny Smith Apples our base. We soak them in apple cider (instead of traditional lemon juice.) Then we toss ’em with sugar, butter and cinnamon.

Then we cover the apple mixture with a crunchy, sweet pecan mixture and bake it off.

Honestly, this has become one of my favorite comforting desserts for the fall. It’s easy to put together and tastes amazing hot out of the oven or cold from the fridge.

More fall dessert recipes to make: Mini Apple Spice Rum Cakes | Spiced Pumpkin Sugar Cookies | Caramel Corn Cookies | Halloween Peanut Butter Chocolate White Chocolate Chip Cookies | Praline Upside Down Pumpkin Cake with Bourbon Caramel Sauce

Looking for a dish to make and share this fall? Check out my Fall Recipe Index for more ideas.

What you need to make this recipe:

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• Sharp knife and cutting board
• Vegetable peeler and apple corer
• Mixing bowls
• Casserole dish

Here’s what you need:

• Dark brown sugar—while you could use a light brown sugar in place of this, I highly recommend using dark brown sugar because it has more molasses flavor.
• Chopped pecans—we’ve also made this recipe with chopped walnuts, if you’d prefer those. I love adding chopped nuts to the crumble topping because it adds some crunch and texture!
• Ground cinnamon—this is the best spice to pair with we need this for both
• All-purpose flour—we keep unbleached AP flour in the house, but you can use the regular kind, too. We’ll need this for both the crumble topping and the apple filling.
• Unsalted butter—it needs to be cold and cut into ¼” squares. We need it for both the crumble topping and the apple filling.
• Granny Smith Apples—you’ll need about 4 of them. I love a Granny Smith Apple for a baking recipe like this one because they’re nice and tart, as well as hold their shape as they bake.
• Spiced apple cider—we toss the apples in this before baking them, and it adds extra flavor and spice!
• Granulated sugar—also known as white sugar, we’ll need a little bit of this to sweeten our tart apples.

How to make Apple Crumble

Prep the apples. Peel and core the apples first before chopping them into bite-sized pieces.

Preheat the oven. Spray an 8″ square baking dish with nonstick baking spray, and set aside.

Make the crumble topping. Combine the brown sugar, chopped pecans, cinnamon and flour in a bowl. Use your hands to massage the butter into the sugar mixture. Work it into the sugar mixture until it resembles wet sand.

Make the apple filling. Measure the chopped apples and cider to a large bowl. Toss. Add the sugar, flour and cinnamon, and stir until combined. Finish with the butter.

Finish the apple crumble recipe. Pour the apple mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with the crumble.

Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown. The apple mixture should be bubbling, too.

Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or sweetened whipped cream!

Erin’s Easy Entertaining Tips

The humble Apple Crumble is a quintessential fall dessert, if you ask me.

This would be excellent to share with friends or family after a comforting fall meal, whether it’s an occasion or a simple dinner where you want dessert.

Here’s how you can make this recipe for a crowd:

• Double the recipe. While this is more than enough for our family, if you’re feeding more than 4 people, I suggest making extra so you’ve got more than enough.
• Make some parts of the crumble in advance. Chop, core and toss the apples in the filling mixture. (The spiced apple cider should prevent them from browning.) You can also make the crumble, too, then pop it into the fridge. Keep the filling and topping separate until it’s baking time.
• Have fun with the toppings. Offer guests classic vanilla ice cream, whipped cream (or your favorite whipped topping), chopped toasted pecans and more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick tips and tricks to the best apple crumble

• Use the right apples. Using a tart apple, like a Granny Smith, will make this apple crumble recipe sing.
• Change up the spices. If you love pumpkin spice, swap the cinnamon for that! You can do the same thing with apple pie spice. Use the same amount.
• How to store leftovers: Store in an airtight food storage container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Here’s how you can make your own: