Salted Caramel Apple Crumble: The Ultimate Fall Dessert Recipe

Salted Caramel Apple Crumble, a symphony of sweet, tart, and salty flavors, is the dessert you’ve been dreaming of! Imagine sinking your spoon into a warm, bubbling apple filling, perfectly balanced by the rich, buttery crumble topping and a drizzle of decadent salted caramel. Are you ready to experience pure dessert bliss?

Apple crumble, in its essence, is a humble dish with roots in wartime Britain. During periods of rationing, when pastry ingredients were scarce, resourceful cooks cleverly substituted a simple crumble topping for a traditional pie crust. Over time, this resourceful creation evolved into a beloved classic, enjoyed worldwide. But we’re not stopping at classic today! We’re elevating this comforting dessert with the irresistible addition of salted caramel.

What makes this Salted Caramel Apple Crumble so incredibly irresistible? It’s the harmonious blend of textures and tastes. The tender, slightly tart apples provide a delightful contrast to the crunchy, golden-brown crumble. The salted caramel adds a layer of luxurious sweetness and a hint of salt that enhances all the other flavors. It’s a dessert that’s both comforting and sophisticated, perfect for a cozy night in or a special occasion. Plus, it’s surprisingly easy to make, making it a winner in my book!

Ingredients:

• For the Apple Filling:
• 6 medium apples (such as Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji), peeled, cored, and sliced
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• For the Salted Caramel Sauce:
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste
• For the Crumble Topping:
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

Preparing the Salted Caramel Sauce:

1. Melt the Sugar: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add the granulated sugar. Cook, stirring constantly with a heat-resistant spatula, until the sugar melts and turns into a golden amber color. This process requires patience, so don’t rush it! It’s crucial to stir constantly to prevent burning. The sugar will clump up at first, but keep stirring, and it will eventually melt.
2. Add the Butter: Once the sugar is melted and amber-colored, remove the saucepan from the heat. Immediately add the cold butter pieces. Be careful, as the mixture will bubble vigorously. Stir continuously until the butter is completely melted and incorporated into the sugar.
3. Incorporate the Cream: Slowly pour in the heavy cream while stirring constantly. The mixture will bubble up again, so be cautious. Continue stirring until the caramel is smooth and creamy. If the caramel seizes up or becomes grainy, don’t panic! Just keep stirring over low heat, and it should eventually smooth out.
4. Add the Salt: Stir in the sea salt. Taste the caramel and add more salt if desired, adjusting to your preference. Remember, it’s salted caramel, so the saltiness should be noticeable but not overpowering.
5. Cool Slightly: Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the salted caramel sauce cool slightly while you prepare the apple filling and crumble topping. The sauce will thicken as it cools. If it becomes too thick, you can gently reheat it over low heat, adding a tablespoon of cream at a time until it reaches the desired consistency.

Preparing the Apple Filling:

1. Prepare the Apples: Peel, core, and slice the apples into approximately 1/4-inch thick slices. I find that using a mandoline slicer can help achieve uniform slices, but a sharp knife works just as well.
2. Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. Toss gently to coat the apples evenly with the dry ingredients. The flour will help thicken the apple juices as the crumble bakes.
3. Add Lemon Juice and Butter: Drizzle the lemon juice over the apple mixture and toss again. The lemon juice will prevent the apples from browning and add a touch of brightness to the filling. Pour the melted butter over the apples and toss one last time to ensure everything is well combined.

Making the Crumble Topping:

1. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt. Make sure there are no lumps of brown sugar.
2. Cut in the Butter: Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry blender or your fingertips, cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. The key is to work quickly so the butter doesn’t melt. You want small pieces of butter throughout the mixture to create a tender and crumbly topping.
3. Add Oats and Nuts (Optional): Stir in the rolled oats and chopped pecans or walnuts (if using). The oats add texture and a slightly nutty flavor to the crumble, while the nuts provide a satisfying crunch.

Assembling and Baking the Crumble:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Assemble the Crumble: Pour the apple filling into a 9-inch square baking dish or a similar-sized oven-safe dish. Spread the apples evenly across the bottom of the dish.
3. Pour Caramel Sauce: Drizzle about half of the prepared salted caramel sauce evenly over the apple filling. Reserve the remaining caramel sauce for serving. Don’t be shy with the caramel! It adds so much flavor and richness to the crumble.
4. Add Crumble Topping: Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the apple filling and caramel sauce. Gently press the topping down slightly to help it adhere to the filling.
5. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 35-45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbly. The baking time may vary depending on your oven, so keep an eye on it. If the topping starts to brown too quickly, you can loosely tent the crumble with aluminum foil to prevent it from burning.
6. Cool Slightly: Remove the crumble from the oven and let it cool for at least 15-20 minutes before serving. This allows the filling to thicken slightly and prevents it from being too runny.
7. Serve: Serve the warm Salted Caramel Apple Crumble with a generous drizzle of the reserved salted caramel sauce. You can also add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra special treat. Enjoy!

Conclusion:

This Salted Caramel Apple Crumble is more than just a dessert; it’s an experience. The warm, comforting spices, the tender apples, the buttery crumble topping, and that decadent salted caramel drizzle – it all comes together in a symphony of flavors and textures that will leave you wanting more. Trust me, once you take that first bite, you’ll understand why I’m so passionate about this recipe. It’s the perfect balance of sweet and salty, crunchy and soft, and it’s guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser, no matter the occasion.

But what truly elevates this crumble to must-try status is its versatility. While it’s absolutely divine served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream (my personal favorite!), there are so many other ways to enjoy it. For a truly indulgent experience, try topping it with a dollop of freshly whipped cream and a sprinkle of sea salt. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, add a splash of bourbon to the apple mixture before baking for a boozy twist.

Looking for serving suggestions? This crumble is fantastic as a comforting dessert on a chilly evening, but it’s also elegant enough to serve at a dinner party. You can even bake it in individual ramekins for a more sophisticated presentation. And don’t limit yourself to just apples! Feel free to experiment with other fruits like pears, berries, or even peaches. The possibilities are endless!

I’ve also found that a little bit of lemon zest brightens the apple flavor, and a pinch of cinnamon really brings out the warmth of the spices. If you’re not a fan of salted caramel (though I highly recommend you give it a try!), you can easily substitute it with a regular caramel sauce or even a simple brown sugar glaze.

Variations to Explore:

* Nutty Crumble: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the crumble topping for extra crunch and flavor.
* Spice It Up: Experiment with different spices like nutmeg, ginger, or cardamom to create your own unique flavor profile.
* Berrylicious: Add a handful of fresh or frozen berries to the apple mixture for a burst of fruity goodness.
* Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free flour in the crumble topping for a gluten-free version.

I truly believe that this Salted Caramel Apple Crumble recipe is a winner. It’s easy to make, incredibly delicious, and endlessly adaptable. It’s the kind of dessert that brings people together and creates lasting memories. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to bake up a batch of pure deliciousness.

I’m so excited for you to try this recipe! And more importantly, I’m eager to hear about your experience. Did you make any variations? Did you serve it with ice cream or whipped cream? What did your friends and family think? Please, share your thoughts and photos in the comments below. I can’t wait to see your creations and hear your stories. Happy baking! Don’t forget to rate the recipe once you’ve tried it! Your feedback helps other bakers discover this amazing dessert. Let’s spread the joy of homemade Salted Caramel Apple Crumble far and wide!

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