Go Back
Apple Brown Butter Crumble
Melissa Hart

Apple Brown Butter Crumble

Brown butter gives a plain flour crumble toasted depth without adding oats or nuts. Fresh tart apples stand up to that richness and keep the filling from becoming cloying. Cool the butter until opaque before rubbing it into the flour; hot liquid butter would make a smooth paste rather than distinct crumbs.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 48 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 18 minutes
Servings: 8
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 8 cups peeled 1/3-inch fresh tart apple slices
  • 2/3 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp kosher salt
  • 10 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt

Method
 

  1. Melt the butter in a small pan over medium heat until the milk solids turn amber and smell nutty, then chill it until firm but pliable.
  2. Heat the oven to 375°F and butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
  3. Toss the apples with the first brown sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, lemon juice, cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon salt; spread in the dish.
  4. Mix the remaining flour, remaining brown sugar and 1/2 teaspoon salt, then rub in the cooled brown butter to make crumbs.
  5. Scatter the crumbs in an even layer over the apples.
  6. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes until the apples are tender, the center bubbles and the crumbs are browned; rest 20 minutes.