Apple crumble and custard – a simple yet gorgeous classic dessert of tender apples, golden crumble, and velvety smooth custard…
Why Make This Dessert
- Apples are available all year round – make this any time of the year, not just autumn!
- Great comfort food
- Served with real vanilla custard
- Super easy to make at home
Preparing Your Kitchen for Apple Crumble and Custard
Before you dive into making your delicious apple crumble and custard, it’s important to make sure your kitchen is equipped with the right tools. Here are a few essential items you’ll need:
- Baking dish: Choose a baking dish that is the right size for your recipe. A 9×9-inch or 9×13-inch dish should work well for most recipes.
- Large bowl: You’ll need a large mixing bowl to combine your ingredients and mix them thoroughly.
- Essential tools: Don’t forget to gather essential tools like a wooden spoon, measuring cups and spoons, and a whisk. These tools will make your baking experience much easier and more enjoyable.
Selecting the Best Apples for Your Crumble
When it comes to making apple crumble, the type of apples you choose can make a big difference in the flavour and texture of your dessert. Here are a few tips for selecting the best apples for your crumble:
- Cooking apples: Look for apples that are specifically labeled as cooking apples, such as Bramley apples. These apples are specifically bred for baking and will hold their shape and texture well during the cooking process.
- Lemon juice: Before adding your apples to the crumble, toss them in a little lemon juice. This will help to prevent browning and add a touch of brightness to the flavour.
- Best dessert: When it comes to making apple crumble, the best apple for the job is often a tart, firm apple like Granny Smith or Braeburn. These types of apples have a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness that works well in this dessert.
Ingredients
- Apples – choose your favourite apple, one that is firm and will hold up to cooking. I have used Pink Lady’s but you could also use Granny Smith or Bramley cooking apples
- Sugar – caster sugar to sweeten the apples and brown sugar for the crumble topping
- Plain flour – used for the crumble mix, you can also use all-purpose flour
- Butter – a good quality unsalted butter makes for a rich buttery crumble mix with a coarse meal consistency
- Cinnamon – apples and cinnamon are great together and add a subtle warmth to the apples
- Jumbo oats – big chunky oats gives the crumble extra crisp and texture
- Milk, cream, egg yolks and vanilla – for the vanilla custard
How To Make This Apple Crumble Recipe
- Measure out the dry ingredients then mix well to combined
- Melt the cold butter then stir it into the sugar-flour mixture until well combined and a rough crumble forms
- Cover and keep in the fridge whilst you make the apple filling
- Peel and core your apples, then dice into small chunks. You can use a little lemon juice to stop the apples from browning.
- Toss the apples with sugar, cinnamon and cornflour
- Line a 10″ x 8″ large baking dish with the apples, the crumble the oat topping on top of the apples before cooking in a preheated oven at 200°C for 40-45 minutes until golden brown and bubbling
Silky Smooth Custard: The Perfect Companion
No apple crumble is complete without a silky smooth custard to accompany it. The rich and creamy custard adds an extra layer of decadence to this comforting dessert. Here’s how to make the perfect custard:
- Vanilla extract: Adding a touch of vanilla extract to your custard enhances the flavour and adds a warm, sweet aroma.
- Egg yolks: Whisking together egg yolks with sugar and cornstarch creates a thick, creamy custard base.
- Warm milk: Slowly heat milk and cream over medium heat in a medium saucepan until they begin to simmer, then gradually add them to the egg yolks to create a smooth and velvety custard.
Step-by-Step Guide to Creamy Custard
Making a creamy custard is easier than you might think. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you create a silky smooth custard:
- Low heat: Heat up your milk, cream, and vanilla extract in a medium pan over low heat. Be careful and keep it below boiling point.
- Whisking: In a separate bowl, whisk sugar, egg yolks and cornstarch until smooth.
- Gradual addition: Slowly pour the hot milk mixture into the egg mixture, whisking constantly. This will help to temper the eggs and prevent them from curdling.
- Thickening: Pour the mixture back into the saucepan and cook on a gentle simmer, stirring constantly, until the custard thickens enough to coat the back of a wooden spoon, around 5-8 minutes.
- Straining: Strain the custard through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any lumps or cooked egg bits.
Recipe Variations
While the classic apple crumble and custard recipe is absolutely delicious on its own, there are plenty of recipe variations that you can try. Here are a few ideas:
- Gluten-free options: The crumble topping can be made gluten-free by using gluten-free oats and a gluten-free flour blend. Check the labels on all ingredients to ensure they are gluten-free.
- Vegan options: To make this dessert vegan-friendly, substitute the butter in the crumble topping with coconut oil and use plant-based milk for the custard.
- Seasonal twists: Get creative with your apple crumble and custard by adding seasonal twists. Try adding cranberries or pecans to the apple filling for a festive twist, or experiment with different spices like nutmeg or cardamom.
By trying out these recipe variations, you’ll be able to customize your apple crumble and custard to suit your dietary needs or add a unique twist to the classic recipe.
Gluten-Free and Vegan Options
If you’re following a gluten-free or vegan diet, don’t worry, you can still enjoy a delicious apple crumble and custard. Here are a few options for making this dessert gluten-free and vegan:
- Gluten-free options: The crumble topping can be made with gluten-free oats and a gluten-free flour blend. Check the labels on all ingredients to ensure they are gluten-free. You can also use a gluten-free vanilla extract to ensure the entire dessert is gluten-free.
- Vegan options: Substitute the butter in the crumble topping with coconut oil or a vegan butter substitute. Use plant-based milk, such as almond milk or soy milk, for the custard. You can also use a vegan-friendly sweetener, such as maple syrup or agave nectar, instead of sugar.
FAQ’s
Place the pre-made crumble topping into the fridge to allow it to cool before cooking. This will help it stay crisp and not get soggy. You can also try pre-cooking the crumble for an even crispier crumble topping.
This dessert is reheated very well. Either microwave or cover and place in an oven at 180°C until heated through. Reheat the custard gently on the hob, stirring until hot.
Yes you can freeze any leftovers, covered in the freezer for upto 3 months. The custard is best made fresh.
Yes, once it has cooled and there is any left, cover it and keep in the fridge for upto 3 days.
A good rule of thumb is to try and stick to a ratio of 2:1:1 of flour to butter to sugar. I include more butter as I like a rich crumble.
If you work butter in to the flour, it is easy to overwork it. You need to see bits of butter for a nice crispy crumble. This is why I like to use melted butter, this creates a rough textured crunchy crumble.
It is a personal choice, but I wouldn’t eat it straight from the oven as the boiling fruit will be far too hot. Let it cool for around 10 minutes first. I like my crumble when it is just nice and warm with hot custard, although I have been known to eat leftovers cold from the fridge!
You could use it in a pinch but the crumble might be a little cakey in texture. Plain is best if you have it.
The lemon juice acts as an antioxidant and helps to stop the apples from turning brown
Depends on who answers the question! My understanding is they are very similar but apple crisp tends to have nuts in the topping, whereas crumble has oats.
Try Another Recipe
The Best Apple Crumble and Custard
Ingredients
- For the custard
- 200 ml double cream
- 100 ml whole milk
- 3 egg yolks
- 3 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Apple filling
- 4 pink lady apples
- 60 g caster sugar
- Pinch of salt
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- Crumble Topping
- 165 g plain flour
- 60 g jumbo oats
- 75 g soft brown sugar
- 135 g unsalted butter
Instructions
- Begin by making the crumble – measure out all the dry ingredients and mix well
- Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat until fully melted then add to the dry mixture
- Mix well until the crumble clumps togethor. Place in the fridge to cool until ready to assemble
- Preheat the oven to 200℃
- Peel and core the apples
- Dice into small chunks then toss together with the sugar, cinnamon and cornflour
- Line a 10" x 8" dish with the apples, then crumble the cooled crumble topping over the apples evenly
- Cook for 35-40 minutes until the fruit is bubbling underneath and the top is golden and crisp. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.
- To make the custard – in a saucepan, place the cream and milk on a medium high heat until it starts to bubble at the edges
- Whisk together the egg yolks and the sugar until pale
- Add the hot cream and milk mixture, in thirds whilst continually whisking
- Palce the mixture back on the heat in the same saucepan, adding the vanilla and whisk contiuously until thickened
- Pour the fresh custard over the apple crumble and enjoy!
