Indulge in the ultimate comfort dessert with this mouthwatering apple and strawberry crumble! Imagine biting into a warm, fruity explosion where the tartness of the apples meets the sweetness of the strawberries in perfect harmony. And let's not forget that golden, buttery oat crumble topping, spiced with a touch of cinnamon — it's like a hug for your taste buds!
This easy strawberry and apple crumble recipe doesn't hold back on the good stuff. We're talking about a generous layer of that addictive crumble, ensuring every bite is a delish mix of fruit and crunch. Say goodbye to those disappointingly sparse crumble layers — this one's got you covered!
Whether you're hosting a laid-back barbecue with friends or a fancy dinner party, this dessert is guaranteed to steal the spotlight. Homemade goodness that's sure to leave everyone asking for seconds!
Love fruity desserts and crumb topping? Check out my crumb cake, white chocolate cheesecake, strawberry tart, blueberry pop tarts, and lemon cheesecake.
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Why you'll love this recipe
- Effortless Preparation. Say goodbye to complicated baking processes! With this recipe, all you need to do is simply dump the ingredients into your baking dish and let the oven work its magic. No fuss, no hassle — just pure simplicity. Whether you're a novice in the kitchen or a seasoned pro, you'll appreciate the ease and convenience of this dump-and-bake method.
- Duo of Fruits. What sets this dessert apart is the awesome combination of two classic fruits: apples and strawberries. Each bite is a burst of contrasting flavors and textures, with the tartness of the apples perfectly complementing the sweetness of the strawberries. It's a match made in dessert heaven.
- Generous Crumble Topping: Let's be real — when it comes to crumbles, the more, the merrier! This recipe doesn't skimp on the good stuff. With a generous amount of buttery oat crumble piled high atop the fruit filling, every spoonful delivers the perfect balance of fruity goodness and crunchy perfection. No need to worry about scraping the bottom of the dish for leftover crumbs — this apple and strawberry crumble ensures that every bite is filled with deliciousness.
Equipment
Ingredients
- Choose your favorite variety of apples for this recipe and peel them. Whether you prefer the tartness of Granny Smith apples or the sweetness of Honeycrisp, the choice is yours. Fuji apples add a wonderful texture and flavor to the crumble, becoming soft and juicy as they bake.
- Fresh, ripe strawberries are a must-have for this dessert. They bring a burst of vibrant color and sweetness to the crumble, complementing the tartness of the apples perfectly. Make sure to wash and hull the strawberries before using them in the recipe.
- Sweet, rich, and with a hint of molasses flavor, dark brown sugar adds depth and caramel notes to the fruit filling. It helps to enhance the natural sweetness of the apples and strawberries, creating a luscious sauce as they bake.
- Old-fashioned rolled oats provide the essential crumbly texture to the topping. They add a nutty flavor and hearty crunch that contrasts beautifully with the tender fruit filling.
- Butter is the key to achieving that irresistible buttery flavor in the crumble topping. It binds the dry ingredients together, creating clusters of golden goodness that adorn the fruit filling.
- A splash of freshly squeezed lemon juice brightens up the flavors of the fruit filling. Its tangy acidity enhances the natural sweetness of the apples and strawberries, balancing out the richness of the brown sugar. Additionally, lemon juice helps prevent the apples from browning and adds a refreshing zing to each bite. Just a squeeze of lemon juice is all it takes to add a burst of freshness to this apple and strawberry crumble with oats.
See recipe card below for quantities.
Substitutions
- Brown the butter for extra nutty deliciousness in the crumble! Brown butter is always a good idea.
- Add cardamom to the topping. Cardamom is such a game changer when it comes to spices, it always makes desserts extra special.
- If you don't want to use apples, make it with all strawberries! I would adjust the sugar in the filling if the strawberries are very sweet.
This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions. These are just suggestions.
Instructions
Let's make easy apple and strawberry crumble!
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9 inch baking dish. Hull and slice the strawberries ¼ inch thick.
Step 2: Slice and peel the apples ⅛th inch thick.
Step 3: Combine the sliced apples, strawberries, lemon juice, and vanilla until mixed thoroughly. Mix together the cinnamon, flour, and dark brown sugar. Pour over the fruit mixture, mix until coated and combined.
Step 4: Combine the dark brown sugar, granulated sugar, salt, flour, cinnamon, and oats.
Pour the melted butter over the dry ingredients. Mix until combined and absorbed
Step 5: Pour into the baking dish. Top with the crumble, making sure it's coating the top evenly.
Step 6: Cover with foil, bake for 20 minutes. Take the foil off and bake for another 20-25 minutes. The filling should be bubbling around the sides and the crumble should be deep golden brown.
Hint: Top with vanilla ice cream for the perfect crumble experience.
Pro tips
- Slice the Apples Thinly. When preparing the apples for your crumble, aim to slice them to a thickness of about ⅛ inch. Thinly sliced apples will bake more evenly.
- Cover the Crumble with Foil. To prevent the crumble topping from over-browning or burning during baking, cover it loosely with aluminum foil for the first 20 minutes of baking. This will allow the fruit filling to cook and soften without the risk of the topping becoming too dark. After 20 minutes, remove the foil to allow the crumble to crisp up and achieve that perfect golden-brown finish.
- Add Salt to the Crumble. Don't overlook the importance of salt in the crumble topping! Adding salt helps to balance the sweetness of the sugar and enhances the overall flavor of the dessert.
FAQ
What's the difference between a crisp and a crumble?
While both crisps and crumbles are beloved desserts featuring baked fruit with a sweet, crunchy topping, they have subtle differences in their composition. A crisp typically features a fruit base topped with a mixture of flour, oats, sugar, and butter, resulting in a topping that is more granular and crumbly. In contrast, a crumble also consists of a fruit base topped with a similar mixture, but its topping tends to be more cohesive and clumpy, forming larger clusters or chunks. Crumbles may have a higher ratio of butter to flour, resulting in a richer, more indulgent topping.
How do I keep the crumble topping from getting soggy?
Follow the crumble recipe exactly as is, and bake until golden brown. I don't recommend completely covering it in the refrigerator because that will cause condensation.
How do I know when the crumble is done?
The filling will start to bubble around the edges. I like to use a sharp knife and poke one of the apples to see if it is tender.
Storage
Room Temperature
The apple and strawberry crumble can be left out on the counter for one day.
Refrigerator
Cool Completely. Allow the crumble to cool completely at room temperature before attempting to store it. This prevents condensation from forming, which can lead to a soggy topping. I like to cover the plate loosely with foil to prevent the topping from getting wet. It will. keep up to 4 days.
Freezer
After it has cooled down, store in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
Reheating
Place in the microwave to get warm or place in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes.
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📖 Recipe
Apple and Strawberry Crumble
Equipment
- 9 inch baking dish
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Mxing bowls
- Knife for cutting fruit
- Apple peeler
Ingredients
Topping
- 11 tablespoons (130 grams) unsalted butter melted
- ½ cup (97 grams) dark brown sugar
- ¼ cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
- 1.5 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 ½ cups (195 grams) all purpose flour
- ½ cup (57 grams) old fashioned oats can also use quick oats
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Fruit Filling
- 3 ½ cups (540 grams) strawberries hulled and cut ¼ inch slices
- 2 heaping cups (260 grams) apples peeled and cut ⅛ inch slices ( I like Honeycrisp)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ lemon juiced
- ½ cup (113 grams) dark brown sugar you can add less if the fruit is super sweet
- 2 tablespoons (18 grams) all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Topping
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9 inch baking dish.
- Combine the dark brown sugar, granulated sugar, salt, flour, cinnamon, and oats.
- Pour the melted butter over the dry ingredients. Mix until combined and all the dry is absorbed into the butter.
Fruit Filling
- Combine the sliced apples, strawberries, lemon juice, and vanilla until mixed thoroughly.
- Mix together the cinnamon, flour, and dark brown sugar. Pour over the fruit mixture, mix until coated and combined.
- Pour into the baking dish. Top with the crumble, making sure it's coating the top evenly.
- Cover with foil, bake for 20 minutes. Take the foil off and bake for another 20-25 minutes. The filling should be bubbling around the sides and the crumble should be deep golden brown.
Sue says
I made this and we devoured it on one sitting! Amazing!
Amanda says
love hearing that!! thank you for leaving a review 🙂