Living in the Northwest, just minutes from the Hood River Fruit Loop, I am surrounded by apple orchards. These decades-old trees not only provide spectacular views, but they also produce some of the most delicious fruit. Apple picking is a popular activity here, and you can even pick up apples directly from the trash cans to take home. Either way, there are plenty of delicious, freshly picked apples waiting to be turned into apple desserts.
Recently, Martha Stewart’s apple crumble recipe caught my eye. This is a little different from many of the other crumbles and crisps I’ve made, so I decided to put it to the test. Others who have tried this recipe and left reviews agree, giving it only 5 stars overall.
Simply Recipes / Molly Allen
How to make Martha Stewart’s Apple Crumble
To prepare this homemade apple crumble, simply peel, core, and chop the apples. Next, mix the apples with sugar, a little flour, lemon juice, ground cinnamon and salt, then transfer the fruit mixture to a baking dish.
To make the topping, combine softened butter and brown sugar. Then add flour to form a crumbly mixture. Sprinkle the crumble over the apples and bake at 375°F for about 1 hour. A wonderful autumn treat will be completed.
The taste is incredible, with a hint of sugar and spice. I wasn’t sure if the half teaspoon of cinnamon mentioned in the recipe was enough, but I was wrong. Perfectly spiced with a lively, vibrant touch of lemon juice.
The brown sugar topping is chewy, and you can enjoy the exquisite texture and contrast with every bite. Of course, you’re welcome to add a spoonful of vanilla ice cream or Greek yogurt to your apple dessert, but this one is just as good on its own.
Simply Recipes / Molly Allen
Tips for making apple crumble
Choose your apples wisely: The best apples for baking are whatever you have on hand. However, many bakers prefer a fusion of sweet and sour. Use varieties such as Honeycrisp, Cosmiccrisp, and Granny Smith. I decided to use Granny Smith apples, but they became very soft while baking. The texture of the boiled apples was like thick, thick applesauce, and I really liked it, but next time I might try adding other apples to the mix. To peel or not: This apple crumble recipe calls for peeling all the apples, but you can skip that step if you want a more earthy, textured treat. Add some spice: I thought the spice level was about perfect, but feel free to experiment. Add more cinnamon to the apples or add a little nutmeg or cardamom. Add oats: Adding oats to the crumble above turns apple crumble into apple crisp. Add 1/2 cup rolled oats to the topping mix to change the texture.
Pay attention to baking time: The recipe calls for baking the crumbles for about an hour, but baking time will vary depending on your apple selection. Juicy, soft apples may require less time in the oven to soften. I baked the crumble for 45 minutes and removed it when the apples were quite soft.
Simply Recipes / Molly Allen
