Gordon Ramsay Apple Crumble Recipe

This cozy Gordon Ramsay Apple Crumble is made with sweet and tart apples, dried cranberries, caster sugar, a hint of cinnamon, and fresh lemon zest. The result is a warm and comforting dessert with a buttery, crisp granola topping over soft, caramelized fruit. It’s the perfect dessert for a cool autumn evening and serves 6 people, especially when topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

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Gordon Ramsay Apple Crumble Ingredients

For the Apple Filling:

• 6 tbsp caster sugar
• Pinch of ground cinnamon
• Seeds from 1 vanilla pod
• 6 apples (3 grated, 3 chopped)
• 3 tbsp dried cranberries
• Zest of 1 lemon
• Juice of ½ lemon

For the Crumble Topping:

• 100g plain flour
• 2 tbsp demerara sugar
• 50g butter, chilled and cubed
• Pinch of ground cinnamon
• 4 tbsp nutty granola or muesli

How To Make Gordon Ramsay Apple Crumble

1. Preheat your oven: Set your oven to 200°C (400°F / Gas Mark 6). Have an oven-safe baking dish ready.
2. Caramelize the sugar: Place the hob-safe baking dish over medium heat. Add the caster sugar and let it melt without stirring until it turns golden and bubbly, which should take about 5 minutes.
3. Build the flavor base: Stir the pinch of cinnamon, vanilla seeds, and the grated apples into the caramelized sugar. Cook for 1–2 minutes until the apples soften and release their juices.
4. Combine the fruit filling: Add the chopped apple chunks, dried cranberries, lemon zest, and lemon juice to the dish. Stir everything together to combine, then remove the dish from the heat.
5. Prepare the crumble topping: In a separate mixing bowl, add the plain flour, demerara sugar, chilled butter cubes, and a pinch of cinnamon. Use your fingertips to rub the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs. Stir in the nutty granola.
6. Assemble the crumble: Scatter the crumble topping evenly over the fruit mixture in the baking dish.
7. Start cooking on the stovetop: Place the assembled crumble back on the hob over medium heat. Heat it just until you see the fruit filling start to bubble around the edges.
8. Bake until golden: Carefully transfer the hot dish to the preheated oven. Bake for 12–14 minutes, or until the crumble topping is golden brown and crisp.
9. Serve warm: Let the crumble cool for a few minutes before serving. It is best served warm with a scoop of ice cream, a pouring of warm custard, or a dollop of cream.

Recipe Tips

• Use a Mix of Apples: For the best flavor and texture, use a combination of tart cooking apples like Bramley and a sweeter eating apple like Gala or Fuji. The tart apples break down into a soft sauce, while the sweet ones hold their shape for a better bite.
• Grate Half the Apples: The secret to a perfect filling is using both grated and chopped apples. The grated apple melts into the caramel to create a rich, delicious sauce, while the chunks provide a more traditional texture.
• Keep Your Butter Cold: For a light and crispy crumble topping, your butter must be chilled. Cold butter gets coated in the flour in small pieces. When baked, these pieces melt and create steam, resulting in a perfectly crumbly texture rather than a greasy one.
• Don’t Skip the Stovetop Step: Starting the crumble on the hob is a key professional tip. It ensures the fruit filling is hot and bubbling before it even enters the oven, which prevents a soggy bottom and guarantees a perfectly cooked dessert.

What To Serve Apple Crumble

A warm apple crumble is a classic dessert that pairs beautifully with something cool and creamy. The most popular choice is a generous scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, which melts slightly into the warm fruit. For a traditional British experience, serve it with a pitcher of warm, thick English custard. Alternatively, a simple dollop of clotted cream or cold heavy cream provides a rich and simple finish.

How To Store Apple Crumble Leftovers

• Refrigerate: Once cooled, cover the baking dish with plastic wrap or transfer leftovers to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place it in an oven at 175°C (350°F) for 10-15 minutes to help re-crisp the topping.
• Freeze: You can freeze the baked and cooled crumble for up to 3 months. Cover the dish tightly with both plastic wrap and foil. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating in the oven.

FAQs

• What if I don’t have a hob-safe baking dish? No problem. You can prepare the fruit filling in a regular saucepan on the stove. Once cooked, simply transfer the hot filling to a standard baking dish, add the crumble topping, and bake as directed.
• Can I make this recipe gluten-free? Yes, you can easily adapt this recipe. For the topping, substitute the plain flour with a good-quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and ensure you use a certified gluten-free granola or muesli.
• Can I prepare apple crumble in advance? Yes. You can assemble the entire crumble, cover it, and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time since it will be starting from cold.
• Can I use a different fruit? Absolutely. This crumble topping is very versatile. It works wonderfully with pears, a mix of berries (like blackberries and raspberries), or stone fruits like peaches and plums. You may need to adjust the sugar depending on the sweetness of the fruit you choose.

Try More Recipes:

• Gordon Ramsay Rhubarb Crumble Recipe
• Crisp Butter Leaf Salad With Apple Vinaigrette And Tangy Blue Cheese
• Gordon Ramsay Stuffed Lamb with Spinach and Pine Nuts Recipe