Thanksgiving Apple Crumble is a rustic, cozy dessert that feels like a warm hug at the holiday table. I remember helping my mom mix oats and butter with my hands, sneaking little bites of the crumble topping before it went into the oven. As it baked, the kitchen filled with the sweet aroma of cinnamon and apples. With its golden, buttery topping and tender spiced apples, this dessert is simple yet irresistible, especially when served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Groceries
Ingredients
6 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix), peeled, cored, and sliced
2 tbsp lemon juice
½ cup granulated sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground nutmeg
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup old-fashioned oats
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
Pinch of salt
Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9-inch baking dish.
- In a bowl, toss apple slices with lemon juice, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Spread evenly in the baking dish.
- In another bowl, combine flour, oats, brown sugar, and salt. Cut in cold butter with a pastry cutter or fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Sprinkle crumble mixture evenly over apples.
- Bake for 40–45 minutes, until topping is golden and apples are tender.
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Substitutions
Use pears instead of apples for a pear crumble.
Replace oats with chopped nuts for crunch.
Swap butter with coconut oil for a dairy-free version.
Add cranberries for extra tartness.
Equipment
Mixing bowls
Peeler and knife
Measuring cups and spoons
9×9-inch baking dish
Oven
Storage
Refrigerator: Store covered in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freezer: Freeze baked crumble tightly wrapped for up to 2 months.
Reheating: Warm in the oven at 325°F for 15 minutes or microwave portions.
Top Tips
Use a mix of tart and sweet apples for balanced flavor.
Keep butter cold for a crunchy topping.
Bake until filling is bubbling and topping is crisp.
Serve warm with ice cream for the best experience.
FAQs
Can I make apple crumble ahead of time?
Yes, assemble in advance and refrigerate, then bake before serving.
Why is my crumble topping soggy?
It may not have been baked long enough, or too much butter was used.
Can I make it gluten-free?
Yes, use gluten-free oats and flour.
What’s the difference between apple crisp and apple crumble?
Apple crisp typically has oats in the topping, while crumble can be made just with flour, butter, and sugar—but many recipes overlap.