This cozy Hairy Bikers Apple Crumble is made with a perfect mix of Bramley and eating apples, demerara sugar, cinnamon, butter, and flaked almonds for extra crunch. This recipe creates a wonderfully comforting dessert with a sweet, slightly tart apple filling and a rich, buttery, crunchy topping. It’s the ultimate pud for a chilly evening, perfect for a family dinner, and serves about 6 people.
Hairy Bikers Apple Crumble Ingredients
For the Filling:
- 4 eating apples (like Cox or Gala)
- 2 Bramley cooking apples
- 100g demerara sugar
- 2 tsp cinnamon
For the Topping:
- 150g plain flour
- 100g golden caster sugar
- 100g cold butter, cut into cubes
- 50g flaked almonds
- (Optional: 50g rolled oats for extra chew)
How To Make Hairy Bikers Apple Crumble
- Preheat your oven: Get the oven warming up to 200°C (180°C for a fan oven) or Gas Mark 6.
- Prepare the apples: Peel, core, and quarter all the apples. Cut them into chunks and place them in a medium-sized ovenproof dish. Sprinkle the demerara sugar and cinnamon over the apples and give it all a good mix to make sure the fruit is evenly coated.
- Make the crumble topping: In a large mixing bowl, combine the plain flour and golden caster sugar. Add the cubed cold butter. Using just your fingertips, rub the butter into the flour and sugar until the mixture looks like coarse breadcrumbs.
- Add the crunch: Stir the flaked almonds (and oats, if using) into the crumble mixture until they are well combined.
- Assemble the crumble: Sprinkle the topping mixture evenly over the apples in the dish.
- Bake to perfection: Place the crumble in the preheated oven and bake for about 30 minutes. It’s ready when the topping is a beautiful golden brown and the apple filling is soft and bubbling up at the edges.
Recipe Tips
- Use the right apples: The Hairy Bikers recommend a mix of eating apples and Bramley cooking apples. The Bramleys break down into a soft, fluffy pulp, while the eating apples hold their shape a bit more, giving you a great variety of textures in the filling.
- Don’t overwork the topping: When rubbing the butter into the flour, use a light touch with your fingertips. You want a crumbly, breadcrumb-like texture, not a paste. This helps ensure a light and crunchy topping.
- Cold butter is key: Using cold, cubed butter is essential for a good crumble topping. It creates little pockets of fat that melt during baking, resulting in a crispier, more delicious texture.
- Let it rest: Once you take the crumble out of the oven, let it stand for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the molten-hot fruit filling to cool down slightly and thicken up.
What To Serve With Hairy Bikers Apple Crumble
This classic apple crumble is absolutely delicious served warm straight from the oven. For the perfect comforting dessert, add a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream that will melt into the warm fruit. A good glug of warm custard is another traditional and beloved pairing. For a simpler touch, a spoonful of thick double cream or clotted cream provides a wonderful contrast to the sweet and tart apples.
How To Store Hairy Bikers Apple Crumble Leftovers
- Refrigerate: Store any leftover apple crumble in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can enjoy it cold or reheat individual portions in the microwave or in the oven at around 180°C (350°F) until warmed through.
- Freeze: Apple crumble freezes brilliantly. You can freeze the entire baked crumble in its ovenproof dish (once completely cooled) by wrapping it well in plastic wrap and then foil. It will keep for up to 3 months. To serve, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven.
Hairy Bikers Apple Crumble Nutrition Facts
- Calories: Approx. 450-550 kcal
- Total Fat: 20-25g
- Saturated Fat: 10-14g
- Sugars: 40-50g
- Sodium: 100-150mg
- Carbohydrates: 60-70g
- Protein: 5-7g
Try More Recipes:
- Can I use just one type of apple? Yes, you can. If you only have eating apples, your filling will be firmer. If you only use Bramley apples, the filling will be much softer and more like a traditional applesauce. The combination gives the best texture.
- My crumble topping is always soggy. What am I doing wrong? A soggy topping is usually caused by too much moisture from the fruit. Make sure your apples are dry before adding the sugar. Also, ensure your crumble topping is thick enough to form a protective layer. Pre-cooking the apples slightly can release some juice which you can discard before topping and baking.
- Can I make this apple crumble gluten-free? Absolutely. You can substitute the plain flour with a good quality gluten-free flour blend. Also, ensure your oats are certified gluten-free if you choose to include them. The texture will be very similar.
Hairy Bikers Apple Crumble Recipe
Description
The classic Hairy Bikers Apple Crumble features a delicious filling of both eating and Bramley apples, spiced with cinnamon, under a buttery, crunchy topping made with flour, sugar, and flaked almonds. The result is a comforting, perfectly balanced sweet and tart dessert that is a staple of British cuisine.
Ingredients
For the Filling:
For the Topping:
Instructions
- Prepare the filling: Preheat oven to 200°C/180°C Fan/Gas 6. Peel, core, and chop the apples. Place in an ovenproof dish with demerara sugar and cinnamon and mix well.
- Make the topping: In a bowl, rub the cold butter into the flour and caster sugar with your fingertips until it resembles breadcrumbs. Stir in the flaked almonds.
- Bake the crumble: Sprinkle the topping over the apples. Bake for 30 minutes until the top is golden and the fruit is bubbling. Rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
