You’ll want to make this Apple Crumble with Caramel Sauce to savour the irresistible combination of tender, cinnamon-spiced apples topped with a buttery oat crumble and a luscious homemade caramel sauce. It’s a comforting dessert that captures the essence of fall and will have everyone coming back for seconds. This indulgent dessert is the perfect treat for gatherings, special occasions, or just a cozy evening in. The warm, gooey caramel sauce elevates the classic apple crumble, making it a truly decadent and unforgettable autumn dessert.
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MY INSPIRATION BEHIND THIS RECIPE
I went apple picking recently with my mom and sister! We had such a fun time and got soooo many apples. 🍏🍎 I have been brain storming apple recipe ideas, and obviously had to make the classic apple crumble. Apple crumble is much easier to make than apple pie, in my opinion, and thats why I love to make it every fall. The caramel sauce takes this dessert to the next level and I like to serve this recipe with some vanilla ice cream as well! 😋
WHY YOU'LL LOVE THIS APPLE CRUMBLE WITH CARAMEL SAUCE
- Lucious Caramel Elevation: The luscious homemade caramel sauce takes this apple crumble to the next level, providing a rich and indulgent flavour that perfectly complements the warm, cinnamon-spiced apples.
- Fall Comfort Food: This recipe encapsulates the essence of fall, with tender, perfectly seasoned apples and a buttery oat crumble that offers a comforting and nostalgic treat, making it an ideal dessert for the autumn season.
- Impressive Dessert: Whether you’re entertaining guests or looking for a memorable dessert, this apple crumble with caramel sauce is sure to impress with its delightful layers of flavours and the beautiful presentation of golden brown crumble.
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INGREDIENTS NEEDED
- Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the apple filling, enhancing the flavour of the tart apples and creating a syrupy consistency as they bake, providing a delightful contrast to the crumble topping.
- All-Purpose Flour: Acts as a thickener to bind the apple filling together and absorb excess moisture, ensuring a cohesive and not overly runny filling.
- Ground Cinnamon: Infuses the apples with warm, aromatic spice and adds a layer of flavour to the crumble, bringing out the best in both elements.
- Ground Nutmeg: Complements the cinnamon with its subtle nutty, warm notes, contributing to the overall richness of the apple filling.
- Salt: Enhances the flavours by balancing the sweetness of the sugar and the spices, ensuring the perfect sweet-savoury balance.
- Lemon Juice: Provides a touch of acidity that brightens the flavour of the apples, preventing them from becoming overly sweet and adding a refreshing zing.
- Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats: Create the crumble’s delightful texture and offer a nutty, hearty flavour that contrasts beautifully with the soft apples.
- Brown Sugar: Adds a rich, molasses-like sweetness to the crumble, enhancing its depth of flavour.
- Unsalted Butter: In the crumble topping, it’s the key fat source that forms a buttery, crumbly texture when combined with other dry ingredients. In the caramel sauce, it provides richness and creaminess.
- Vanilla Extract: Infuses the caramel with a delightful aroma and subtle vanilla flavour, elevating the sauce’s overall taste.
- Heavy Cream: Adds creaminess and a luxurious texture to the caramel, balancing its sweetness and creating a smooth, pourable consistency.
HOW TO MAKE APPLE CRUMBLE WITH CARAMEL SAUCE
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) baking dish or a similar-sized ovenproof dish.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the sliced apples, granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, salt, and lemon juice. Toss the apple mixture until the apples are evenly coated.
In another mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, all-purpose flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and salt. Add the cold, cubed unsalted butter to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, work the butter into the dry mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside.
Spread the prepared apple filling evenly in the greased baking dish.Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the apples, covering them completely. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 40-45 minutes or until the topping is golden brown, and the apple filling is bubbling around the edges.
Caramel Sauce:
While the apple crumble is baking, prepare the caramel sauce. In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, melt the granulated sugar while stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or heat-resistant spatula. Continue to cook until the sugar turns into a deep amber colour. Be careful not to burn it.
Add the unsalted butter to the melted sugar and stir until the butter is completely melted and well combined. Slowly pour in the heavy cream while stirring continuously. Be cautious as the mixture will bubble up. Continue to stir until the caramel sauce is smooth and well combined. Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Set aside to cool slightly.
Apple Crumble:
Once the apple crumble is done baking, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of the homemade caramel sauce over each serving. Enjoy! 🙂
VIC'S QUICK TIPS FOR APPLE CRUMBLE WITH CARAMEL SAUCE
- Fruit Selection: Opt for crisp, slightly tart apple varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best results. Their texture holds up well during baking and balances the sweetness of the filling.
- Uniform Slicing: When preparing the apple filling, aim for consistently thin apple slices. This ensures even cooking and a harmonious texture in the finished dish.
- Prevent Browning: After slicing the apples, toss them with lemon juice to prevent browning and to enhance the fruit’s vibrant colour.
- Crumble Texture: For a perfect crumble topping, ensure the cold butter is properly incorporated into the dry ingredients, resulting in a coarse, crumbly texture that adds a delightful crunch to your dessert.
- Caramel Care: When making caramel sauce, be vigilant. Watch the sugar closely as it caramelizes, as it can go from amber to burnt quickly. Stir constantly for even melting and colour development, and be cautious while adding cream to avoid splattering.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS & STORING
- Serving Fresh: This Apple Crumble is best enjoyed fresh out of the oven when it’s warm and the caramel sauce is lusciously drizzled over the top. The contrast between the warm, tender apples and the crisp crumble is delightful.
- A La Mode: Elevate your serving by adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream alongside the warm apple crumble. The melting ice cream complements the dessert beautifully.
- Reheating: If you need to reheat leftovers, use an oven or toaster oven to maintain the crumble’s texture. This also helps to re-crisp the topping.
- Caramel Sauce Storage: Store any extra caramel sauce separately in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It can be gently reheated when needed, either in the microwave or on the stovetop.
- Long-term Storage: If you plan to store the dessert for an extended period, consider freezing individual portions for later enjoyment. Ensure they are well-wrapped to prevent freezer burn.
- Microwaving: When reheating a serving in the microwave, be cautious not to overheat, as it can make the crumble topping soggy. Use short intervals with low power settings.
INGREDIENT SUBSTITUTIONS & VARIATIONS
- Apple Filling: Replace the granulated sugar with a vegan sweetener like coconut sugar or maple syrup. Substitute the unsalted butter in the crumble topping with a plant-based butter or coconut oil. For the caramel sauce, use dairy-free options like coconut cream and a dairy-free margarine.
- Crumble Topping: Swap regular butter for dairy-free butter or coconut oil. Ensure the brown sugar used is vegan-friendly as some brands use bone char in the refining process.
- Caramel Sauce: Opt for a vegan caramel sauce alternative made from ingredients like coconut milk, coconut sugar, and vegan butter.
- All-Purpose Flour: Replace the all-purpose flour in the apple filling, crumble topping, and caramel sauce with a gluten-free flour blend or almond flour.
- Unsalted Butter: Substitute butter in the crumble topping with dairy-free alternatives like coconut oil or dairy-free margarine. In the caramel sauce, use dairy-free margarine and non-dairy heavy cream or coconut cream.
- Heavy Cream: Replace heavy cream with dairy-free alternatives like coconut cream or almond milk.
- Nutty Twist: Add chopped nuts such as pecans or walnuts to the crumble topping for extra texture and flavour.
- Fruit Variations: Experiment with different fruits or a combination, such as pears, peaches, or berries, for unique flavour profiles.
- Spice It Up: Adjust the spices to your preference. Consider adding a dash of cardamom or ginger to the apple filling for a twist.
- Serve with Ice Cream: Instead of caramel sauce, serve the apple crumble with a scoop of your favourite ice cream.
- Top with Whipped Cream: Enhance the dessert by topping it with a dollop of whipped cream or a dairy-free whipped topping.
RECIPE FAQ
Yes, while Granny Smith and Honeycrisp apples are recommended, you can use other varieties like Fuji, Gala, or Pink Lady based on your flavour preferences. Just ensure they’re good for baking.
Absolutely! You can prepare the apple crumble in advance and reheat it in the oven at a low temperature or in the microwave. Drizzle the caramel sauce just before serving to keep it fresh.
If you don’t have heavy cream, you can use alternatives like whole milk, half-and-half, or even coconut milk to create a creamy caramel sauce with a slightly different flavor profile.
Yes, you can freeze the apple crumble for later. Just ensure it’s well wrapped to prevent freezer burn. Reheat in the oven to restore its crispness, and make the caramel sauce fresh for the best taste.
Serve the apple crumble warm, ideally with a drizzle of the homemade caramel sauce. It pairs wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for added indulgence.
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Ingredients:
- 6 Cups Apples, peeled and sliced
- ¼ Cup Granulated Sugar
- 1 Tablespoon All Purpose Flour or Cornstarch
- 1 Teaspoon Cinnamon
- ¼ Teaspoon Nutmeg
- ¼ Teaspoon Salt
- 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice
Crumble
- 1 Cup Old Fashioned (Rolled) Oats
- ½ Cup All Purpose Flour
- ¼ Cup Brown Sugar, packed
- ¼ Cup Granulated Sugar
- ½ Teaspoon Cinnamon
- ¼ Teaspoon Salt
- ½ Cup Unsalted Butter, cold and cubed
Caramel Sauce (Optional)
- 1 Cup Granulated Sugar
- ¼ Cup Butter
- ½ Cup Heavy Cream
- 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- Pinch Salt
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch (23x33 cm) baking dish or a similar-sized ovenproof dish.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the sliced apples, granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, salt, and lemon juice. Toss the apple mixture until the apples are evenly coated.6 Cups Apples,, ¼ Cup Granulated Sugar, 1 Tablespoon All Purpose Flour or Cornstarch, 1 Teaspoon Cinnamon, ¼ Teaspoon Nutmeg, ¼ Teaspoon Salt, 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice
- In another mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, all-purpose flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and salt. Add the cold, cubed unsalted butter to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, work the butter into the dry mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside.1 Cup Old Fashioned (Rolled) Oats, ½ Cup All Purpose Flour, ¼ Cup Brown Sugar,, ¼ Cup Granulated Sugar, ½ Teaspoon Cinnamon, ¼ Teaspoon Salt, ½ Cup Unsalted Butter,
- Spread the prepared apple filling evenly in the greased baking dish.Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the apples, covering them completely. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 40-45 minutes or until the topping is golden brown, and the apple filling is bubbling around the edges.
Caramel Sauce
- While the apple crumble is baking, prepare the caramel sauce. In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, melt the granulated sugar while stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or heat-resistant spatula. Continue to cook until the sugar turns into a deep amber colour. Be careful not to burn it.1 Cup Granulated Sugar
- Add the unsalted butter to the melted sugar and stir until the butter is completely melted and well combined. Slowly pour in the heavy cream while stirring continuously. Be cautious as the mixture will bubble up. Continue to stir until the caramel sauce is smooth and well combined. Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Set aside to cool slightly.¼ Cup Butter, ½ Cup Heavy Cream, 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract, Pinch Salt
Apple Crumble
- Once the apple crumble is done baking, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of the homemade caramel sauce over each serving. Enjoy! 🙂
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