Delicious Cranberry Apple Crum Extractble: Sweet Treat!

Cranberry Apple Crumble – the mere mention of these words conjures images of cozy evenings, the warmth of a bustling kitchen, and the irresistible aroma of baked fruit mingling with buttery, golden oats. There’s something uniquely comforting about a dessert that marries the crisp tartness of fresh cranberries with the comforting sweetness of apples, all tucked beneath a gloriously crunchy, golden topping. It’s a symphony of textures and flavors that captivates the palate from the very first spoonful.

A Heartwarming History

Originating in Britain during World War II as a resourceful alternative to traditional pies, crumbles quickly became a beloved classic due to their simplicity and comforting nature. They offered a delightful way to enjoy seasonal fruits, making the most of available ingredients during a time of rationing, proving that even in challenging times, deliciousness can prevail.

Today, the Cranberry Apple Crumble stands as a timeless testament to hearty, home-baked goodness. It’s not just a dessert; it’s an experience – perfect for holiday gatherings, a comforting weeknight treat, or simply a delightful indulgence to brighten any day. Its versatility, ease of preparation, and universal appeal make it a perennial favorite in many homes, and I am so excited to share my go-to recipe for this beloved dessert with you.

Ingredients:

• For the Cranberry Apple Filling:
  • 6-7 medium-sized apples (about 3 pounds), a mix of tart and sweet works wonderfully here. I often choose 3 Granny Smith and 3 Honeycrisp for the perfect balance of flavor and texture. They hold their shape beautifully!
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries. If using frozen, no need to thaw them beforehand.
  • ½ cup granulated sugar, or a little more if your apples are very tart or you prefer a sweeter crumble.
  • ½ cup packed light brown sugar. This adds a lovely molasses note that complements the fruit.
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour or cornstarch. This is our secret weapon for a beautifully thickened filling, preventing it from being too watery.
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon.
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg.
  • ¼ teaspoon ground ginger (optional, but I find it adds a wonderful warmth).
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice. This brightens the flavors and helps prevent the apples from browning.
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract.
• For the Crispy Crumble Topping:
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour.
  • ½ cup granulated sugar.
  • ½ cup packed light brown sugar.
  • 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats (not instant). These add fantastic texture and chewiness to our Cranberry Apple Crumble.
  • ½ teaspoon salt. Essential for balancing the sweetness and enhancing flavors.
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, very cold and cut into ½-inch cubes. Cold butter is key for a tender, flaky crumble!
  • ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional, but highly recommended for an extra layer of crunch and nutty flavor).

Preparing the Flavorful Cranberry Apple Filling:

This is where the magic begins, where simple fruits transform into a wonderfully aromatic and comforting base for our ultimate Cranberry Apple Crumble. Taking your time with this step ensures every bite is bursting with flavor and perfectly balanced.

1. First things first, let’s get our apples ready. I like to start by peeling all of them. While it might seem a bit tedious, it really makes for a smoother, more enjoyable texture in the finished crumble. Once peeled, core each apple meticulously to remove any seeds or fibrous bits. Then, slice them into ½-inch thick pieces. I personally find that this thickness allows them to cook down nicely without becoming mushy, while still retaining some pleasant bite. If you prefer smaller pieces, you can dice them into ¾-inch cubes, but try to keep them consistent in size for even cooking.
2. Once your apples are prepped, transfer them to a very large mixing bowl. Now, it’s time to introduce the vibrant cranberries. If you’re using fresh cranberries, simply add them in. If they’re frozen, just toss them in directly from the freezer – no need to thaw!
3. Next, we’ll build the flavor profile for our filling. Sprinkle the granulated sugar and light brown sugar over the fruit. The combination of these two sugars provides a deeper, more nuanced sweetness.
4. Then, add your thickener: the all-purpose flour or cornstarch. This is a crucial ingredient because it will absorb the juices released by the apples and cranberries during baking, creating a luscious, thick filling rather than a watery one. Don’t skip this step!
5. Now for the warming spices that make this Cranberry Apple Crumble truly irresistible: the ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and if you’re feeling adventurous, that ¼ teaspoon of ground ginger. These spices infuse the fruit with comforting, autumnal notes.
6. Pour in the fresh lemon juice. This isn’t just for flavor; the acidity from the lemon juice brightens the overall taste of the fruit and, importantly, helps prevent the apples from oxidizing and turning brown while you prepare the rest of the dish.
7. Finally, add the pure vanilla extract. Vanilla always seems to tie all the flavors together beautifully, adding a subtle warmth and depth.
8. With all the ingredients in the bowl, use a large spoon or a rubber spatula to gently toss everything together. Be thorough but careful not to break up the apple slices too much. You want to ensure that every piece of fruit is evenly coated with the sugars, spices, and thickener. This even coating is key to a uniformly delicious filling. Set this bowl aside while we move on to the crumble topping.

Crafting the Irresistible Crumble Topping:

The crumble topping is arguably the star of any crumble, providing that delightful textural contrast to the soft fruit filling. My method ensures a beautifully golden, buttery, and perfectly crunchy topping for your Cranberry Apple Crumble.

1. In a separate, medium-sized mixing bowl, combine all the dry ingredients for the topping. This includes the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, old-fashioned rolled oats, and the ½ teaspoon of salt. The salt, though a small amount, is incredibly important as it balances the sweetness and brings out the nutty flavors of the oats and any optional nuts you might add. Use a whisk or a fork to thoroughly combine these dry ingredients, ensuring there are no lumps of brown sugar and that everything is evenly distributed.
2. Now for the secret to a truly great crumble: the cold butter. Take your pre-cut, very cold unsalted butter cubes and add them to the dry ingredient mixture. It’s essential that the butter is as cold as possible; this prevents it from melting too quickly and allows you to create those lovely little pockets of butter that turn into flaky, tender bits when baked.
3. There are a few ways to incorporate the butter. My preferred method for this Cranberry Apple Crumble topping is using my fingertips. Gently work the butter into the flour mixture, rubbing it between your thumb and fingers. You’re aiming for a coarse, crumbly texture, with some butter pieces still visible, ranging from the size of small peas to coarse meal. Avoid overworking the mixture; if you handle it too much, the butter will melt, and your topping might become tough or greasy rather than light and crisp. If your hands are warm, you can also use a pastry blender, two knives, or even a food processor (pulsing only a few times to prevent overmixing) for this step.
4. Once you’ve achieved that perfect crumbly texture, if you’re using them, now is the time to stir in the ½ cup of chopped pecans or walnuts. These nuts add an extra layer of crunch and a wonderful depth of flavor that complements the cranberries and apples beautifully. Just a quick stir to distribute them evenly throughout the crumble mixture.
5. Give the topping a final visual inspection. You should see a mixture of various-sized crumbs, from fine sandy bits to larger pea-sized clumps. This variety is what gives the baked topping its rustic charm and incredible texture. Set the crumble topping aside while you prepare your baking dish.

Assembling and Baking Your Cranberry Apple Crumble:

We’re on the home stretch now! This stage is all about bringing together our beautifully prepared filling and our delightful crumble topping, then letting the oven do its magical work to create an utterly delicious Cranberry Apple Crumble.

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures the oven is at the correct temperature when your crumble goes in, allowing for even baking and that perfect golden-brown crust. While the oven preheats, lightly butter or spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. A larger 3-quart baking dish will also work perfectly. This step prevents the fruit juices from sticking and makes cleanup much easier.
2. Carefully spoon the prepared cranberry apple filling into the greased baking dish. Use a spatula to spread it out evenly across the bottom of the dish. You want a consistent layer of fruit so that everything bakes uniformly.
3. Now, generously sprinkle the crumble topping over the fruit filling. Don’t be shy here! Ensure an even layer, covering all the fruit. Some people like to gently pat down the topping, but I prefer to leave it a bit looser; this allows for more crispy edges and crags in the topping, which are truly the best parts.
4. A little pro tip: Place the baking dish on a rimmed baking sheet before putting it into the oven. This is a crucial step! As the fruit bakes and bubbles, it will inevitably release juices, and sometimes these juices can bubble over the sides of the dish. The baking sheet will catch any overflow, saving you from a messy oven cleanup.
5. Carefully transfer the baking dish (on its baking sheet) to the preheated oven. Bake for approximately 45 to 60 minutes. The exact baking time can vary depending on your oven and the specific apples you used.
6. You’ll know your Cranberry Apple Crumble is ready when the topping is a beautiful golden-brown color, deeply caramelized in spots, and the fruit filling underneath is visibly bubbling around the edges. If you’re unsure, you can also gently insert a knife into the center of the crumble; the apples should feel tender. If the topping is browning too quickly before the fruit is cooked through, you can loosely tent the dish with aluminum foil for the last 15-20 minutes of baking.
7. Once baked to perfection, carefully remove the crumble from the oven using oven mitts. Let it rest and cool on a wire rack for at least 15-20 minutes before serving. This cooling time is incredibly important for a couple of reasons: it allows the fruit filling to set up properly, preventing it from being too runny, and it also lets the flavors meld and deepen. Plus, it’s just too hot to eat straight out of the oven!

Serving Suggestions & Storage:

While the aroma of a freshly baked Cranberry Apple Crumble is almost too tempting to resist, a little patience goes a long way. The brief cooling period allows the flavors to truly develop and the filling to thicken to that perfect, luscious consistency we all desire. This is truly where the magic of a warm, comforting dessert shines.

1. Once it has cooled slightly, serving your Cranberry Apple Crumble warm is, in my opinion, the absolute best way to enjoy it. The warmth brings out all the wonderful spice notes and the sweetness of the fruit. My go-to accompaniments are a generous scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, which slowly melts into the warm fruit and crunchy topping, creating an utterly decadent experience. Alternatively, a dollop of freshly whipped cream or a drizzle of warm custard or crème anglaise also pairs beautifully, adding a touch of creamy richness that perfectly complements the tart cranberries and sweet apples.
2. If you happen to have any leftovers (a rare occurrence with this particular crumble, I’ve found!), they store remarkably well. Allow any remaining crumble to cool completely to room temperature. Once fully cooled, cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. You can store it on your kitchen counter for up to 1 day, especially if your kitchen isn’t overly warm. For longer storage, transfer it to the refrigerator, where it will keep well for up to 3-4 days. The crumble topping might lose a little of its crispness in the refrigerator, but the flavors will remain excellent.
3. Reheating Your Cranberry Apple Crumble: To bring it back to its original glory, I recommend reheating individual portions in the microwave for about 30-60 seconds, or until just warmed through. For a larger portion or if you want to revive the crispness of the topping, you can pop the entire dish (or a larger section) back into a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 15-20 minutes, or until it’s warmed through and the topping has re-crisped slightly. Just be careful not to overcook it, as the fruit could dry out.
4. This Cranberry Apple Crumble is truly a versatile dessert. It’s hearty enough for a winter evening, but the brightness of the cranberries makes it delightful any time of year. I hope you enjoy every single delicious bite as much as my family and I do!

Conclusion:

And there you have it, my friends! We’ve journeyed through the simple magic of creating a dessert that’s truly more than the sum of its parts. If you’ve been searching for that perfect balance of sweet and tart, a dish that feels both incredibly indulgent and wonderfully wholesome, then look no further. This recipe isn’t just about combining ingredients; it’s about crafting an experience, a moment of pure comfort that can brighten any day. I honestly believe this is one of those timeless recipes that deserves a permanent spot in your culinary repertoire. It’s remarkably forgiving for novice bakers, yet sophisticated enough to impress even the most discerning palates. The vibrant cranberries burst with a zesty tang, perfectly counterbalancing the comforting sweetness of the tender apples, all cradled beneath a golden, buttery, and irresistibly crunchy oat topping. The aroma alone, wafting from your oven, is enough to tell you that something truly special is baking. It fills the entire house with a warmth that promises deliciousness, making it an absolute must-try for anyone who appreciates homemade goodness.

Serving Suggestions & Delightful Variations:

Now that your masterpiece is out of the oven, radiating warmth and incredible aromas, let’s talk about how to elevate your tasting experience. While spectacular on its own, a warm slice of this crumble truly shines with a few thoughtful accompaniments. My absolute go-to is a generous scoop of good quality vanilla bean ice cream, allowing its cool, creamy texture to slowly melt into the warm fruit, creating a symphony of temperatures and flavors. If you prefer something a little lighter, a dollop of freshly whipped cream, perhaps infused with a hint of vanilla or a whisper of orange zest, is simply divine. For an extra touch of decadence, consider a warm drizzle of homemade custard or a silky crème anglaise – utterly luxurious!

But don’t limit yourself to just dessert! I often find myself enjoying leftover portions for a surprisingly delightful breakfast. Served alongside a dollop of plain Greek yogurt, perhaps with a sprinkle of toasted nuts or a light drizzle of maple syrup, it transforms into a wholesome and satisfying morning treat that feels like a little indulgence to start your day. It’s remarkably versatile, isn’t it?

And speaking of versatility, this recipe is a fantastic canvas for your creative whims. Want to add more texture to the topping? Stir in a handful of chopped pecans, walnuts, or even sliced almonds for an extra nutty crunch. For an even deeper spice profile, consider adding a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg, a touch of allspice, or even a tiny whisper of ground ginger to your fruit mixture. If you’re feeling adventurous, don’t hesitate to experiment with other fruits. Pears make a wonderful addition, especially when combined with apples, or you could even swap out some of the apples for a handful of blackberries or raspberries during their peak season. Just remember to adjust your sugar slightly if using very tart berries.

For those with dietary considerations, this recipe is wonderfully adaptable. To make it gluten-free, simply ensure your oats are certified gluten-free and swap out the all-purpose flour in the topping for a good quality gluten-free flour blend. For a vegan version, use a plant-based butter substitute in both the fruit mixture and the topping – you’ll be amazed at how easily it converts without sacrificing flavor or texture. A tiny splash of orange liqueur or a hint of brandy in the fruit base can also introduce a sophisticated layer of flavor that’s truly enchanting. The beauty of this dessert lies in its forgiving nature and its ability to welcome your personal touch.

Your Culinary Adventure Awaits!

I sincerely hope that by now, you’re feeling inspired and eager to tie on your apron and bring this incredible dessert to life in your own kitchen. I can honestly tell you, from my heart, that the joy of baking this, and especially the pure delight of sharing it, is immense. This isn’t just a recipe; it’s an invitation to create memories, to fill your home with comforting aromas, and to share a truly delicious experience with loved ones. It’s an opportunity to discover just how effortlessly you can create something spectacular.

What I love most about this particular rendition is how the flavors of the fruit become so incredibly vibrant and distinct, making this a truly outstanding Cranberry Apple Crum extractble. The way the fruits release their concentrated essence, combined with that perfectly crisp topping, creates a dish that is both profound in flavor and wonderfully comforting in texture. It truly is a triumph of simple ingredients transformed into something extraordinary.

So, please, go forth and bake! Dive into this recipe with enthusiasm, and I promise you won’t be disappointed. Once you’ve had a chance to bake and taste this delightful creation, I would absolutely love to hear all about your experience! Did you stick to the original recipe, or did you put your own unique spin on it? What were your favorite serving suggestions? Please, share your photos, your triumphs, and any clever variations you discovered in the comments below. Your insights and culinary journeys inspire not only me but our entire community of food lovers. Happy baking, everyone – I can’t wait to see what deliciousness you create!

Delicious Cranberry Apple Crumble

An easy-to-make, comforting dessert featuring a crisp tartness of cranberries and sweet apples, topped with a gloriously crunchy, golden oat crumble. Easier than pie, it delivers all the cozy fall flavors without the fuss of a crust. This versatile recipe welcomes creative adaptations while keeping that wonderful contrasting texture.

Prep Time
25 Minutes

Cook Time
45 Minutes

Total Time
10 Minutes

Servings
8 servings

Ingredients

• 6-7 apples (about 3 lbs), mixed varieties
• 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour or cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger (optional)
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, very cold, cut into ½-inch cubes
• ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1
   Peel, core, and slice 6-7 apples into ½-inch pieces. In a large bowl, combine apples, 1 cup cranberries, ½ cup granulated sugar, ½ cup packed light brown sugar, 2 tbsp all-purpose flour/cornstarch, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, ½ tsp ground nutmeg, ¼ tsp ground ginger (optional), 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice, and 1 tsp pure vanilla extract. Toss gently to coat all fruit evenly. Set aside.
2. Step 2
   In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour, ½ cup granulated sugar, ½ cup packed light brown sugar, 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats, and ½ tsp salt. Add 1 cup cold, cubed unsalted butter. Work butter into the flour mixture with fingertips or a pastry blender until coarse crumbs form, with some pea-sized pieces. Stir in ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (if using). Set aside.
3. Step 3
   Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly butter or spray a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spoon the prepared fruit filling evenly into the dish, then generously sprinkle the crumble topping over the fruit. Place the baking dish on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake for approximately 45-60 minutes, or until the topping is a beautiful golden-brown color and the fruit filling underneath is visibly bubbling. If the topping is browning too quickly, loosely tent the dish with aluminum foil for the last 15-20 minutes of baking. Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack for at least 15-20 minutes before serving.

Important Information

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.