What to do with a glut of apples (neighbour went apple picking with her grandchildren and each child wanted their own bag – what are you going to do?) and you don’t have much time to spend baking? Whip up a crumble, that’s what!
But not just any crumble – a Salted Caramel Apple Crumble where the apples cook in a bath of salted caramel sauce under a crispy crumble topping. A little bit extra effort to make the sauce yields a fancier crumble and, bonus – a pot of salted caramel spread for your breakfasts the following week!
This really couldn’t be easier – although some might feel the caramel-making adds an element of difficulty, In fact, with caramel, it’s all abut being patient and not rushing things. I have made a version of this sauce with my cooking club students and if we can manage it in a STEM lab on the world’s oldest hot plates, anyone can make this!
If you organise your time well, you can have this made in under an hour and the great thing is that it can sit out at room temperature until you are ready to serve it. A short stint in a slow oven or microwave will do before you serve it.
Salted caramel apple crumble
Easy apple crumble with a salted caramel twist!
Ingredients
For the salted caramel sauce:
- 1/4 cup (60 mL) water
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (125 mL) heavy (35%) cream,
- 1/4 cup (57 g/ 1/2 stick) salted butter, diced
- 1/4 teaspoon flaky sea salt
For the filling:
- 4 apples (approx 1lb total), peeled, cored and thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons water
For the crumble topping:
- 3 tablespoons (40g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup (50g) plain flour
- 1/4 cup (60g) dark brown sugar
- 1/4 cup (40g) large flake rolled oats (not instant)
- 3 tablespoons (30g) sliced almonds
Instructions
- Place the water and sugar in a medium pot and mix gently with a chopstick or your finger until the sugar is completely wet. Do not stir vigorously.
- Place the pot over medium-high heat and bring the water and sugar to a boil.
- Continue to cook, without stirring but swirling occasionally until the mixture turns a deep caramel colour (between 5-8 minutes).
- Meanwhile, heat the cream until it’s just boiling in a small pot over medium-high heat.
- Remove the caramel the heat and slowly pour in the hot cream. Watch out as this will splatter so pour slowly and whisk constantly.
- Once you have combined all the cream, place the pot back on the heat and cook over medium heat, whisking constantly until the caramel is smooth again.
- Add the butter, piece by piece, making sure each piece is melted before adding the next. Stir in the salt.
- Pour into a clean, dry glass jars and set aside to cool slightly.
- Mix the butter, flour, brown sugar, rolled oats and almonds together in a small bowl and set aside (at room temperature).
- Preheat the oven to 375˚F.
Choose an oven-ready baking dish that will hold all your apple slices. - Mix the apple slices, 2 tablespoons of water and 1/2 cup of the caramel sauce until the apples are mostly coated. You can do this right in the baking dish. Don’t worry if the caramel is starting to harden, it will melt again in the oven.
- Scatter the crumble topping evenly on top of the apples.
Bake for 25-30 minutes until the apples are cooked, the caramel is bubbling and the crumble is crunchy. - Serve warm with a scoop of ice cream.
Make the caramel sauce:
Prepare the crumble topping:
Assemble the crumble:
Notes
Note that the salted caramel sauce makes 1 cup and you only need 1/2 cup for this recipe. You can keep it in a glass jar or ramekin, covered with plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. It will slightly harden to a peanut-butter consistency at room tepmerature. It's great on toast! If you find the spread has hardened too much, you can heat it in the microwave for approximately 15 seconds.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
There’s nothing like a little vanilla ice cream, right?
This is the perfect fall dessert – sweet and salty apples cooked *just so* (not mushy apple sauce!), crunchy crumble and melting vanilla bean ice cream.
It’s also great for breakfast 😉
What about you – what are your favourite apple desserts?
________
Please note: This post contains affiliate links. I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. This means that if you click over and purchase something, I will receive a very small percentage of the purchase price (at no extra cost to you). Thank you in advance!
Like this post? Get blog posts delivered to your inbox! Sign up here!
________
__________
MY BOOK! In the French kitchen with kids is out now! Click here for details and how to order!
I have to say, this punches above its weight in terms of deliciousness and presentation – totally looks like something not “whipped together” in an hour! 🙂
I bloody love crumble … this looks absolutely yum. Was the crumble crunchy – if so, bonus.