My Mum’s Authentic Irish Apple Crumble

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Hi Bold Bakers!

I have a super soft spot in my heart for this Irish Apple Crumble recipe. This traditional Irish apple crumble is actually the very first dessert I baked with the Original Bold Baker, my mum, way back when in our family kitchen. With my four siblings and me, you can imagine how much baking my mum has done—food has always been my family’s hobby! 

In fact, when I originally shared the video of this recipe, I was back home in Ireland for the holidays, cooking this apple crumble with my mum. You really can’t beat simple Irish cooking with really good ingredients. 

I love crumbles, especially this Irish Apple Crumble, because they’re great to scoop into a bowl and enjoy during colder weather, and they’re all super easy to make. Try other fruits, like strawberry and rhubarb during the summer, or another one of my all-time favorites, pear and chocolate crisp.

This recipe is also now a part of my Bold Baking Worldwide series! Try some of my other latest recipes from around the world: Gooey Butter Cake, Sourdough English Muffins, English Sticky Toffee Pudding.

What Is Irish Apple Crumble?

This Irish Apple Crumble is the very same recipe that my mom made us when we were kids. It is made with very tart, bitter apples that get sprinkled with sugar and covered with a crumble mixture. The apples bake down into a warm, delicious, sweet mixture, and the crumble bakes to be crispy. It’s a humble dessert, but the flavor and texture combination can’t be beaten. 

What You Need To Make Irish Apple Crumble

• Measuring Cups and Spoons
• 8 x 8-inch ovenproof dish
• Mixing bowls

How To Make Irish Apple Crumble

This recipe comes together in no time and bakes in less than an hour. During that hour, your whole house becomes filled with the most delicious scent of baking apples. Here is how you make a tried and true Irish Apple Crumble (and don’t forget to get the full recipe with measurements, on the page down below)::

1. Peel, core, and chop your apples into small chunks and put them into an 8×8-inch ovenproof dish. To stop the apples from brown, squeeze fresh lemon juice on top. (It’s okay if they brown, it won’t affect the taste at all.) Sprinkle the sugar over the apples. 
2. Make the crumble topping by putting the flour and sugar in a mixing bowl. Add in the cold butter and use your hands (or a pastry blender) to rub the butter until the mixture looks like large breadcrumbs. You want both big and small pieces of butter to remain. Pour the crumble on top of the apples.
3. Bake the crumble at 350°F (180°C) for 35-45 minutes, or until it is nicely browned on top and the apples are bubbling.

Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips For Making Irish Apple Crumble

• Use crisp, fresh apples. Otherwise, the apples become too mushy when baked. The best apples to use are tart ones, like Granny Smith, to balance out the sweetness of the sugar. 
• Taste your ingredients! Take a taste of the apples you plan on using and adjust how much sugar you think the recipe needs. Don’t be afraid to change the amount!
• Good, quality ingredients really let this dessert shine. I would highly recommend buying good quality butter. Kerrygold is a wonderfully delicious Irish butter that you can find in some US stores. 

How Do I Store Irish Apple Crumble?

Crumbles are best the day they are made because the crumble won’t have the time to get mushy from the baked apples. However, any leftover Irish Apple Crumble can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Make More Dessert!

• Homemade Blueberry Crisp
• Skillet Cherry Crisp
• Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp

And don’t forget to buy my Bigger Bolder Baking Cookbook!

Full (and printable) recipe below!

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