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Apple Crumble

Apple Crumble

⏱️ PREP 15 mins
🔥 COOK 25 mins
👥 SERVES 4
📝 Easy

📖 The Story

There’s a specific kind of magic that happens in the kitchen when autumn rolls around, isn’t there? For me, it always starts with the scent of cinnamon and roasting apples drifting through the hallway. Believe me, nothing says “I love you” quite like a warm Apple Crumble waiting on the table after a long Sunday family dinner. It’s the ultimate comfort food—simple, honest, and just sweet enough to make everyone reach for seconds. You’re going to love how the tartness of the Granny Smiths cuts through the rich, buttery crunch of the oats.

I’ll be honest with you: my first attempt at a crumble was a bit of a disaster. I was so worried about the apples being too sour that I added way too much juice and sugar. I ended up with a soggy, sweet soup that didn’t have a single “crumble” in sight! Trust me on this, the secret is all in the texture. You want those moist clumps of oats and almonds to sit proudly on top of the fruit, creating a golden shield of crunch. I learned that sometimes, less is more, and letting the natural flavor of the fruit shine is the trick to a delicious dessert.

When you’re making this, pay attention to the sounds and smells. There’s that rhythmic thud-thud-thud of the knife through a crisp apple, and the soft swish of the oats being tossed in the bowl. My favorite part is working the chilled butter into the oats with my fingertips. You can feel it turning from dry grains into these soft, sandy clumps that smell faintly of nutmeg and brown sugar. It’s almost like a form of meditation! And the sound of the apple juice sizzling as it starts to bubble around the edges of the ramekins in the oven? Pure bliss.

In our house, this is a total chai time favorite too. While it’s technically a dessert, those oats and almonds make it feel healthy enough to enjoy on a cozy afternoon with a hot cup of tea. The contrast between the soft, jammy apples and the crunchy, nutty topping is what makes this dish so special. Whether you serve it in elegant individual ramekins or one big family dish, it always disappears in minutes. Just don’t forget that dollop of whipped cream on top—watching it slowly melt into the warm cinnamon topping is the best part of the whole experience!

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🍽️ Apple Crumble

by Chef Kiran Raja

Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 25 mins
Total: 40 mins
Serves: 4
Category: Desserts & Baking
Cuisine: American

📋 INGREDIENTS

• 2 Granny Smith apples (wedges)

• ½ cup Apple juice

• 4 tbsp Brown sugar (packed)

• ¼ tsp Ground cinnamon

• ¼ tsp Ground nutmeg

• 1 cup Old-fashioned oats

• 1 Pinch salt

• 2 tbsp Chilled butter (cubed)

• ¼ cup Chopped almonds

• Whipped cream (for serving)

👩‍🍳 INSTRUCTIONS

1. Heat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. Prepare Apples: In a large bowl, toss apple wedges with apple juice, 2 tbsp brown sugar, and half of the cinnamon and nutmeg.

3. Make Topping: In another bowl, mix oats, salt, remaining sugar, and remaining spices.

4. Work in Butter: Use your fingertips to rub the chilled butter into the oats until it forms moist clumps. Fold in the almonds.

5. Assemble: Divide the apple mixture into four ramekins (or one 1-quart dish) and top generously with the oat mixture.

6. Bake & Serve: Bake for 25 minutes until bubbling and golden. Let cool slightly, then top with whipped cream.

👃 AROMA GUIDE

1 Stage 1: Fresh, sharp scent of sliced green apples and sweet apple juice.

2 Stage 2: Warm, spicy cinnamon and nutmeg filling the air as it hits the oven.

3 Stage 3: Toasty, nutty aroma of roasted almonds and caramelized oats.

🔧 PRO TIPS

• Cold Butter is Key: Make sure your butter is straight from the fridge; this creates those lovely crunchy pockets in the topping.

• Apple Choice: Granny Smiths are best because they hold their shape, but you can mix in a Gala apple for extra sweetness.

• No Ramekins? No problem! A small 1-quart square or round baking dish works perfectly for the whole batch.

📊 NUTRITION FACTS

APPLE CRUMBLE
Serving Size 1 Ramekin
Calories285
Total Fat12g (15% DV)
Saturated Fat4g (20% DV)
Cholesterol15mg (5% DV)
Sodium65mg (3% DV)
Total Carbs44g (16% DV)
Dietary Fiber6g (21% DV)
Protein5g (10% DV)
* Percent Daily Values based on 2,000 calorie diet

✨ Simply Delicious. Purely Aromatic. ✨

Made this? Tag @chefkiran • #KiranRecipe • #YumAroma

Apple Crumble – Warm Cinnamon & Oat Crunch

Apple Crumble

📖 The Story