Mary Berry Apple Crumble Recipe

The aroma of apple crumble baking in the oven is the very essence of home comfort.

Mary Berry’s Apple Crumble recipe has become a beloved ritual in my kitchen, especially during the cooler months.

I’ve learned that the secret to a perfect crumble is to use cold butter for the topping, resulting in a crisp, flaky finish that’s simply divine.

What enchants me about this dish is the way the apples soften into a sweet, tender filling beneath a crunchy, golden crust.

How to Make Mary Berry Apple Crumble

Ingredients List

• 1.5 kg (5 oz) cooking apples
• 100g (½ cup) light muscovado sugar
• Juice of ½ lemon
• 1/2 cup of water
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 175g (6oz) all-purpose flour (plain flour)
• Dry topping ingredients (optional)

Step-by-step process

Step 1

Prepare the apples: First, peel and core your cooking apples and then cut them into thin slices.

Step 2

Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C Fan/Gas 4).

Step 3

Combine apples with sugar, lemon juice, and cinnamon: In a flameproof casserole, mix the sliced apples with lemon juice, light muscovado sugar, and a teaspoon of ground cinnamon.

Add 1/2 cup of water to help create the fruit mixture.

Step 4

Prepare the crumble topping: In a separate bowl, mix together the flour and any other dry topping ingredients you prefer, such as oats, until it becomes a crumbly texture.

Step 5

Αssemble the crumble: Place the apple mixture into an ovenproof dish or a baking tray, making sure it’s evenly spread.

Then, cover the apples with the crumble topping.

Step 6

Bake the crumble: Place the dish in a preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes or until the topping is golden and the fruit mixture is bubbly.

Remember to keep an eye on your apple crumble while it bakes to ensure that it doesn’t overcook.

Once it’s done, allow it to cool slightly before serving.

Enjoy your delicious Mary Berry Apple Crumble with a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of custard.

Side Dishes for Mary Berry Apple Crumble

Ice Cream

A classic side dish for apple crumble is a scoop of ice cream, particularly vanilla ice cream.

The cold temperature of the ice cream perfectly complements the warm, gooey texture of the apple crumble.

The smooth, creamy flavor of vanilla ice cream provides a fantastic contrast to the sweet, tangy taste of the crumble.

Warm Custard

Another wonderful side dish to serve with your Mary Berry apple crumble is warm custard.

A dollop of custard adds a touch of comforting warmth alongside the crumble, enhancing the overall experience.

The velvety smoothness of the custard mixes well with the crumbly apple crumble, creating a delightful combination of flavors and textures.

Ingredients Substitutes

Plain Flour

If you don’t have plain flour on hand, you can substitute all-purpose flour or whole wheat flour in the same quantity.

Whole wheat flour will provide a slightly denser texture to your apple crumble topping but still produce a delicious result.

Lemon Juice

The addition of lemon juice enhances the taste of the apples.

If you don’t have a lemon, you can use apple juice or even orange juice as a substitute.

You could also try adding a splash of apple cider vinegar, which will provide a similar tangy note to the filling.

How to Store Mary Berry Apple Crumble

Storing in an Ovenproof Dish

After baking your apple crumble, you may have leftovers that you’ll need to store.

One option is to keep the crumble in the ovenproof dish in which it was baked.

Simply cover the dish with aluminum foil or plastic wrap to protect it from any contaminants.

Store the crumble in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Using a Baking Dish

If you prefer, you may transfer the leftover apple crumble to a baking dish for storage.

Line the baking dish with parchment paper to make clean-up easier later.

Then, cover the dish with aluminum foil or plastic wrap before placing it in the refrigerator for safekeeping.

As with the ovenproof dish, ensure the crumble is consumed within 3 days.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Not cutting apples thinly enough

One common mistake when making Mary Berry’s apple crumble is not cutting the apples into thin enough pieces.

Thinly sliced apples ensure that they cook properly and evenly with the rest of the ingredients.

Thick apple slices may result in undercooked, crunchy apples, while your crumble should have hot, soft apples.

Mismanaging butter in the crumble topping

When it comes to achieving an exceptional crunch in your crumble topping, it’s essential to manage butter correctly.

An incorrect butter amount can lead to a dry, floury mess or a greasy, soggy topping.

Make sure to follow Mary Berry’s apple crumble recipe and cut in cold butter along with your dry ingredients until you have pea-sized pieces sprinkled over the top of the hot fruit filling.

Rushing the cooking process

Rushing the cooking process is another mistake you should avoid when making this delightful dessert.

Ensure you cook the crumble at medium heat, as specified in the recipe, to achieve a perfect golden brown and crunchy topping.

Skipping optional ingredients and tweaks

Experimenting with flavor is always encouraged, but skipping key optional ingredients and not adjusting sweetness to your liking can result in a less-than-perfect apple crumble.

Rolled oats, ground cinnamon, and nutmeg can add extra texture and warmth to your dish.

Tailor the sugar quantity depending on your preferred sourness level.