Ingredients:

  • 6 medium apples (e.g., Bramley, Granny Smith, or a mix), peeled, cored, and sliced (approx. 700g / 1.5 lbs)
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 50g (1/4 cup) caster sugar (granulated sugar)
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour (plain flour)
  • 25g (2 tbsp) unsalted butter, cubed
  • 2 tbsp water
  • 175g (1 3/4 cups) all-purpose flour (plain flour)
  • 100g (1/2 cup) cold unsalted butter, cubed
  • 75g (1/3 cup) light brown sugar, packed
  • 50g (1/2 cup) rolled oats (porridge oats)
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the Apple Filling: Toss apple slices with lemon juice, sugar, spices, and flour. Dot with butter and add water. Consider pre-cooking the apples on a hob to give a deeper taste.
  2. Make the Crumble Topping: Combine flour, cold butter, brown sugar, oats, and salt. Cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. This baking step is key to the texture.
  3. Assemble the Crumble: Pour the apple filling into the baking dish. Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the apples.
  4. Bake: Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C / Gas Mark 5) until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling (45-55 minutes).
  5. Cool Slightly: Let cool for at least 15 minutes before serving.