Apple Crumble

Ingredients

• 170 g plain flour
• 100 g soft brown sugar
• 45 g rolled oats
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, plus 1/2 tsp for the apples
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 100 g cold butter, cubed
• 1 kg cooking apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
• Zest and juice of 1 large lemon
• 45 g granulated sugar
• 45 g butter

Instructions

Follow each step in order. The directions below are written so a beginner can understand what to do, what to look for, and when to move on to the next step.

1. Step 1.Preheat the oven to 180°C and set a medium baking dish nearby so the hot apple filling can be transferred without delay.
2. Step 2.Combine the flour, brown sugar, oats, one-half teaspoon cinnamon, and nutmeg in a large bowl until the dry ingredients are evenly distributed.
3. Step 3.Rub the 100 grams cold cubed butter into the flour mixture with fingertips until uneven crumbs form, then refrigerate while preparing the fruit.
4. Step 4.Melt the remaining 45 grams butter in a wide pan, add the sliced apples, and toss over medium heat until every piece is glossy.
5. Step 5.Add the granulated sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, and remaining cinnamon, then cook until the apples soften slightly and their juices become syrupy.
6. Step 6.Spread the warm apple mixture evenly in the baking dish, including the caramelized juices, but avoid pressing the fruit into a dense layer.
7. Step 7.Scatter the chilled crumble loosely over the apples from edge to edge, preserving rough clusters that will become crisp in the oven.
8. Step 8.Bake for about 40 minutes until the topping is deep golden and the fruit bubbles at the edges, then rest for 10 minutes before serving.