Monday 5 June 2017

Winter's Apple Crumble

The weather is Wintery now, cold mornings followed by crisp, clear days and ending with chilly nights that are forecast by the high pink glow of evening skies.  We close the house up early, rug up in our woolly layers and warm ourselves with nourishing comfort foods.

This simple apple crumble is one of those lovely comfort foods I make regularly in Winter. It's delicious served with a big dollop of thick jersey cream or homemade custard and eaten while warming one's hands around the bowl. 

A warming homemade apple crumble.

This version of apple crumble comes from the recipe book, Australian Lifestyle Cookbook, that my mother gave me way back in 1992. I have made it more times than I can count and it remains a favourite. 

Just baked!

While the original recipe uses a 450g tin of pie apples, I make my own stewed apples for it. This time, I used some tart granny smith apples that had been discounted due to a few bumps and bruises. With a sprinkle of sugar and a pinch or three of cinnamon, they were just a good as unblemished apples.

Apple Crumble

                 For the stewed apples:                                                 For the crumble:
                5 large Granny Smith apples                                       3/4 cup plain or spelt flour
                1/4 cup filtered water                                                    3/4 cup powdered milk              
                1 Tablespoon raw sugar                                                90g softened butter
                1 teaspoon cinnamon                                                    1/2 cup coconut or brown sugar

How to make the stewed apple:
1.  Peel, core and thinly slice Granny Smith apples and put into a saucepan.
2.  Add water, sugar and cinnamon to apples and stir to combine.
3.  Place lid on saucepan and heat gently until apples are soft. Stir occasionally.
4.  Take off heat and allow to cool.

How to make the crumble:
1.  Mix flour, powdered milk and sugar together in a bowl.
2.  Cut softened butter into little cubes and put it into the bowl too.
3.  Rub the butter into the dry ingredients using the tips of your fingers until the mixture
     resembles fine breadcrumbs.

Then ...

Grease a mid-size oven proof dish. Spread stewed apples evenly over the base of the dish. Spread the crumble mixture over the top of the stewed apple. Bake in a moderate oven until golden brown. Mmm....

Sometimes, I add finely chopped walnuts to the crumble mix or coconut. You can add sultanas to the stewed apple if you wish too. However you make it though, I hope it warms your tummy and your heart on a cold Winter's night.

Meg











16 comments:

  1. How timely is this post, I just bought a couple of kilo's of Granny Smith apples on Saturday because they were only 99c a kilo! I know what I'll be doing with them!

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    1. Mmmm...your kitchen is going to smell heavenly while your apple crumble is baking, Cheryl. Happy eating! Meg:)

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  2. Tummy rumbled the second I read your title Meg and then your photos, well that was it. You have my daughter and I sitting here, mouths watering and longing for apple crumble.
    Thanks for the recipe. I'm going to try and squeeze it in this week.
    Kylie

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    1. There's leftovers of this apple crumble at my place for dessert tonight, Kylie. I'm already looking forward to it! I hope you'll get to make some soon and enjoy it. Meg:)

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  3. Yum that looks delicious............first time I made apple crumble for my kids was about 7 years ago so Sienna was only about 5 and or so. I served it up and she spat it out and said "YUK this tastes like dog food". First of all that was not the reaction I was expecting. Second of all we don't have a dog and third of all - when have you ever tasted dog food. I think now at 11 she would love it but I'll never forget that reaction to my delicious dessert.

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    1. Aren't kids funny sometimes! This apple crumble is most definitely delicious and worth trying with a much older Sienna. Meg:)

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  4. Your crumble looks great and is surely delicious. I will save the recipe.
    So funny to read an autumn blog, while here in Holland early summer is coming with beautifull weather after a long cold winter
    Have a nice day, Manon

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    1. Hi, Manon. Warm weather after the cold of Winter is so lovely. I imagine you are venturing outside to be warmed by the sun. Here we are enjoying these cooler days after a long, hot Summer. So nice to be rugged up in our Winter jumpers. Meg:)

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  5. It is quite cold here in the mornings and evenings but the days are warm and sunny but a cold snap is on the way I believe. I love the look of your apple crumble. Yum! I have frozen mulberries in the freezer that I need to use up from last year so mulberry cobbler will be on the menu soon I think.

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    1. Oh, mulberries, Chel. How I love them! They will make a lovely cobbler I am sure. Meg:)

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  6. Mmm, apple crumble, I don't think there is another recipe that invokes the same warming, mouth watering, memories than a fruit crumble. A fruit crumble always smells so divine when it's baking and warms your heart and soul. Thanks for this recipe and have a wonderful day.
    Fi

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    1. Fruit crumbles are one of my favourite desserts, Fi. Heavenly with homemade custard or icecream or cream...have a lovely day too! Meg:)

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  7. Oh, very yum! I can smell it from here. It's definitely the weather for warm, winter puddings. I make stewed apple and rubarb, and serve it with ice cream.

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    1. Oh, rhubarb is a favourite of mine, Chris. I tastes divine with apple! Warm puddings are one of the things I love most about Winter. Meg:)

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  8. That looks so good! I love a good apple crisp or crumble!

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    1. I am making up some more stewed apple over the weekend, Debbie...more apple crumbles!! Meg:)

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