Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Comforting Flavors: The combination of sweet apples and luscious toffee sauce creates a heartwarming dessert.
- Textural Delight: The soft, juicy apples contrast beautifully with the crunchy oat-infused crumble topping.
- Make-Ahead Components: The toffee sauce can be prepared in advance, making assembly quicker when you’re ready to bake.
Ingredients
Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.
For the Toffee Sauce:
- Golden syrup
- Butter
- Soft light brown sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Double cream
For the Crumble Topping:
- Plain flour
- Rolled oats
- Cold butter, diced
- Demerara sugar
For the Apple Filling:
- Cooking apples (e.g., Bramley)
- Eating apples (e.g., Gala, Braeburn, or Pink Lady)
- Golden caster sugar or soft light brown sugar
- Water or apple juice
- Ground cinnamon (optional)
Directions
- Prepare the Toffee Sauce:
- In a saucepan, combine golden syrup, butter, soft light brown sugar, and vanilla extract.
- Heat over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture melts and becomes smooth.
- Allow it to simmer gently for a few minutes, then remove from heat and let it cool to room temperature.
- If making ahead, once cooled, store the sauce in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
- Make the Crumble Topping:
- In a medium bowl, mix together plain flour, rolled oats, and a pinch of salt.
- Add the cold, diced butter and rub it into the dry ingredients using your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
- Stir in the demerara sugar.
- Prepare the Apple Filling:
- Peel, core, and slice the cooking and eating apples.
- Place the apple slices in a large saucepan with the golden caster sugar (or soft light brown sugar), a splash of water or apple juice, and ground cinnamon if using.
- Cook over low to medium heat until the sugar dissolves and the apples begin to soften.
- Assemble the Crumble:
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan) or 350°F (Gas Mark 4).
- Transfer the softened apples to a large pie dish.
- Drizzle the prepared toffee sauce over the apples.
- Evenly scatter the crumble topping over the toffee-coated apples.
- Bake:
- Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: This recipe yields approximately 6-8 servings.
- Preparation Time: About 30 minutes.
- Cooking Time: 30-40 minutes.
- Total Time: Approximately 1 hour 10 minutes.
Variations
- Nutty Twist: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the crumble topping for added crunch and flavor.
- Spiced Flavor: Incorporate ground nutmeg or allspice into the apple filling for a warm, spiced aroma.
- Fruit Mix: Combine pears or berries with the apples for a different fruit profile.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Once cooled, cover the crumble and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating:
- Oven: Preheat to 180°C (160°C fan) or 350°F (Gas Mark 4). Cover the crumble with foil to prevent the topping from burning and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.
- Microwave: Individual portions can be reheated on medium power until warm.
FAQs
What are the best apples to use for this crumble?
A combination of tart cooking apples like Bramley and sweeter eating apples such as Gala or Pink Lady provides a balanced flavor and texture.
Can I make the toffee sauce in advance?
Yes, the toffee sauce can be prepared up to two weeks ahead and stored in the refrigerator. Ensure it’s cooled before refrigerating.
Is it necessary to cook the apples before baking?
Pre-cooking the apples helps achieve a tender filling and reduces excess moisture, preventing a soggy crumble.
Can I freeze the toffee apple crumble?
Yes, the assembled (but unbaked) crumble can be frozen. Wrap it tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen, adding extra time as needed.
How can I make this dessert gluten-free?
Substitute the plain flour with a gluten-free flour blend suitable for baking to make the crumble topping gluten-free.
What can I serve with toffee apple crumble?
It’s delicious with vanilla ice cream, custard, or a dollop of whipped cream.
Can I use store-bought toffee sauce?
Yes, store-bought toffee or caramel sauce can be used to save time.
How do I prevent the crumble topping from becoming too soggy?
Ensure the crumble topping is evenly distributed and not pressed down too firmly. Baking until golden brown helps maintain its crispness.
Can I add spices to the crumble topping?
Absolutely, adding spices like cinnamon or nutmeg to the crumble topping can enhance the flavor.
What’s the difference between a crumble and a crisp?
Both are baked fruit desserts with a streusel topping. Traditionally, a crumble doesn’t contain oats or nuts, while a crisp includes oats, giving it a crisper texture. However, the terms are often used interchangeably.
Conclusion
This Toffee Apple Crumble is a delightful dessert that combines the classic flavors of apple and toffee with a satisfying crumble topping. Its versatility and comforting taste make it a favorite for any occasion. Enjoy it warm with your choice
Toffee Apple Crumble
5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star
No reviews
- Author: Isabella
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6–8 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in the irresistible Toffee Apple Crumble, featuring tender apples drenched in a luscious toffee sauce, topped with a buttery oat crumble. This cozy dessert pairs beautifully with ice cream or custard, making it a perfect choice for comforting indulgence.
Ingredients
For the Toffee Sauce:
- Golden syrup
- Butter
- Soft light brown sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Double cream
For the Crumble Topping:
- Plain flour
- Rolled oats
- Cold butter, diced
- Demerara sugar
For the Apple Filling:
- Cooking apples (e.g., Bramley)
- Eating apples (e.g., Gala, Braeburn, or Pink Lady)
- Golden caster sugar or soft light brown sugar
- Water or apple juice
- Ground cinnamon (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Toffee Sauce:
- Combine golden syrup, butter, soft light brown sugar, and vanilla extract in a saucepan.
- Heat on low-medium, stirring until smooth, then simmer briefly. Cool to room temperature.
- Make the Crumble Topping:
- Mix plain flour, rolled oats, and a pinch of salt in a bowl.
- Rub in cold diced butter until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs, then stir in demerara sugar.
- Prepare the Apple Filling:
- Peel, core, and slice the apples.
- Cook apples with sugar, water (or apple juice), and cinnamon over low-medium heat until softened.
- Assemble the Crumble:
- Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan) or 350°F.
- Layer the softened apples in a pie dish. Drizzle with toffee sauce.
- Evenly spread crumble topping over the apples.
- Bake:
- Bake for 30-40 minutes until golden brown and bubbling.
Notes
- The toffee sauce can be made ahead and stored for up to 2 weeks.
- Add chopped nuts or spices for variation.
- Serve with ice cream, custard, or whipped cream.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British