Fall’s Flavourful Capture: Savouring the Season with Our Beloved Brown Butter Apple Crumble!

Love is like a warm slice of apple crumble fresh from the oven—sweet, comforting, and utterly irresistible. Just as the apples meld into a symphony of flavours, love brings together hearts in a delicious harmony. With each bite of that buttery crumble, you’re reminded of the warmth and sweetness that love brings to life. So, savour every moment, both with your apple crumble and with the people who fill your heart with that same delightful, heartwarming feeling.

This delectable delight is the ultimate fall recipe, delivering the quintessential taste of autumn. From its mouthwatering brown butter to the luscious apple crumble, it’s the epitome of a perfect fall dessert that the whole family will adore.

Choosing the Right Apples: A Crispy Guide to Fall Flavour

For my apple pies, I like to use a variety of apples for its variations of texture and sweetness/tartness. You’ll want apples that maintain their texture and deliver a sweet, slightly tart flavour when baked. Here are some apple varieties that work well for apple pies:

1. Granny Smith Apples: Known for their tartness, they are excellent for pies, crisps, and tarts. They hold up well during baking and provide a nice contrast to the sweetness of the pie filling.
2. Honeycrisp Apples: While Honeycrisp apples are usually enjoyed fresh, their sweet, crisp, and juicy nature can add a unique twist to pies and crisps, particularly when combined with other apple varieties.
3. Golden Delicious: With a sweet and mellow flavour, Golden Delicious apples are ideal for pies, as they hold their shape and add a pleasant sweetness to the filling.
4. Pink Lady and Gala: They are known for their sweet, crisp, and juicy flesh. They are great options for pie fillings when you want a sweeter, milder flavour with a balanced sweetness. Just make sure to adjust the sugar level in recipe if you are using these apples as they have a natural sweetness to them already. They hold their shape well when baked, maintaining a pleasant, firm texture in the pie filling.
5. Braeburn: These apples have a sweet-tart flavour and a firm texture, adding a nice contrast to the crumble topping in your pie.

When making pies or baked apple dishes, it’s often best to use a combination of apple varieties to achieve a well-rounded flavour and texture profile, as well, it will also depend on your personal preference for sweetness and tartness. Experiment with different combinations to find your perfect apple pie recipe.

I love the mix of apples, spices, and brown butter in this recipe. Brown butter has a deep, nutty flavour that pairs wonderfully with the sweet and tart notes of apples. It can enrich both the flavour and aroma of the apple crumble.

Whether it’s a cozy autumn evening or a gathering with loved ones, apple crumble has a way of bringing joy to the heart. It’s a reminder that life’s sweetest moments are meant to be shared, just like the warmth of a freshly baked crumble. So, embrace these moments, savour the sweetness, and keep the love flowing, one delicious bite at a time.

How to Store Them:

1. Room Temperature: If you plan to consume the squares within a day or two, you can store them at room temperature in an airtight container or on a covered plate. Make sure they are completely cool before placing them in the container. This method is suitable for short-term storage but may result in slightly softer squares over time.
2. Refrigerator: For longer storage, place the apple crumble squares in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Store them in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Refrigeration helps maintain freshness and prevents spoilage.
3. Freezer: If you want to keep the squares for an extended period, they can be frozen. First, ensure the squares are completely cooled. Then, wrap each square individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place them in an airtight container or a freezer-safe zip-top bag. Label and date the container or bag. Apple crumble squares can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.

Ingredients:

For the Shortbread Base:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 tsp of vanilla extract

For the Apple Filling:

• 6 cups peeled, cored, and sliced apples (such as Granny Smith or a mix of varieties)
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 tsp vanilla bourbon paste
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

For the Crumble Topping:

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup rolled oats (optional)
• 1/4 cup brown sugar (packed)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon or all spice

Instructions:

For the Base:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) baking pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal. Or if you have individually squared brownie pans like mine, you can just coat it with some oil.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1/2 cup brown sugar until well combined.
3. Add 1.5 cups of all-purpose flour, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture. Mix until the dough comes together and forms a crumbly texture.
4. Press the shortbread dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to create the base for your squares. Preheat the oven to 350°F and bake the crust for about 13-15 minutes until it firms up slightly. Once done, take it out of the oven and set it aside. Maintain oven temperature.

For the Apple Filling:

5. In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, 3/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Toss until the apples are well coated.

For the Crumble Topping and Brown Butter:

6. In a saucepan melt butter. Whisk until butter begins to brown and begins to give off a nutty aroma. Pour into a mixing bowl and set aside to cool for a few minutes.
   • In a mixing bowl, blend together the following dry ingredients: 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 3/4 cup of brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Gently drizzle the melted brown butter into the mixture and stir with a fork until it forms a lumpy texture. Refrigerate the crumble until it becomes firm.

Assembling and Baking:

7. Spread the prepared apple filling evenly over the shortbread base in the baking pan.
8. When it’s time to bake your apple pie, take the chilled crumble from the refrigerator. Either use a fork or your hands to break the mixture into crumbly pieces, then sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the apple filling, covering it completely. The butter will melt in the oven to create a crispy topping.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for about 45-50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown, and the apple filling is bubbling. This will depend on your oven, so keep watch.
10. Remove from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes before using the parchment paper overhang to lift it out of the pan.
11. Cut the cooled apple crumble into squares or bars.
12. Serve warm or at room temperature, and enjoy your homemade dessert!