Mary Berry Apple Cinnamon Crumble Recipe

If you love comforting British desserts, this Mary Berry Apple Cinnamon Crumble Recipe is a wonderful choice. Tender cinnamon-spiced apples are topped with a buttery golden crumble that bakes until crisp and irresistible. The combination of sweet fruit and crunchy topping creates the perfect contrast of textures in every spoonful. This easy recipe is beginner-friendly and takes about 1 hour from start to finish, making it ideal for family desserts, weekend baking, or special occasions.

Ingredients

For the Apple Filling

750g cooking apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced
75g caster sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon lemon juice

For the Crumble Topping

175g plain flour
100g cold unsalted butter, diced
75g light brown sugar
Pinch of salt

For Serving

Warm custard
Vanilla ice cream
Whipped cream

How to Make Mary Berry Apple Cinnamon Crumble Recipe

Prepare the oven: Preheat the oven to 200°C or 180°C fan. Grease a medium baking dish and place a shelf in the centre of the oven.
Prepare the apples: Peel, core and slice the apples. Place them in the prepared baking dish and toss with the caster sugar, cinnamon and lemon juice until evenly coated.
Make the crumble topping: Add the flour and cold butter to a mixing bowl. Rub together with your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
Add the sugar: Stir in the light brown sugar and a pinch of salt until evenly combined.
Assemble the crumble: Sprinkle the crumble mixture evenly over the apples without pressing it down. This helps create a light and crisp topping.
Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling around the edges.
Cool slightly: Remove from the oven and leave to rest for 10 minutes before serving. This allows the filling to settle and makes serving easier.

Tips for the Best Apple Cinnamon Crumble

How do I get a crisp crumble topping?

Use cold butter straight from the refrigerator and avoid overworking the topping. A loose crumb texture produces the best crunch.

Which apples work best for crumble?

Bramley apples are traditional because they soften beautifully while providing a pleasant tart flavour that balances the sweet topping.

Can I make the crumble topping ahead of time?

Yes. Prepare the topping up to two days in advance and store it covered in the refrigerator until needed.

Why is my crumble topping soft?

Too much butter or insufficient baking time can cause a soft topping. Bake until deeply golden for the best texture.

Serving Suggestions

Serve warm with traditional vanilla custard.
Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Pair with freshly whipped cream.
Serve alongside hot tea or coffee.
Dust lightly with cinnamon before serving.

Storage

Room Temperature

Store covered for up to 8 hours if serving later the same day.

Refrigerator

Keep in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven before serving for the best texture.

Freezing

Freeze baked crumble for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat thoroughly before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 365 kcal
Carbohydrates: 54g
Protein: 4g
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Sodium: 95mg

Nutritional values are estimates and may vary depending on ingredients used.

FAQs

Can I use eating apples instead of cooking apples?

Yes, although eating apples are sweeter and hold their shape more during baking. Reduce the sugar slightly if desired.

Can I prepare apple crumble in advance?

Yes, assemble the crumble up to one day ahead and store it covered in the refrigerator before baking.

Can I add oats to the crumble topping?

Yes, replace about 50g of the flour with rolled oats for extra texture and flavour.

What is the best way to reheat apple crumble?

Reheat in a 180°C oven for 10 to 15 minutes until warmed through and crisp on top.