Learn what to serve with apple crumble, from classic vanilla ice cream to custard and creative toppings. Get tips for perfecting your crumble and explore delicious pairings.
Apple crumble is a fantastic dessert known for its comforting combination of warm, spiced apples and a crisp, buttery topping. Whether you’re making a classic apple crumble recipe with Granny Smith apples or experimenting with variations like apple and blackberry crumble, knowing what to serve with apple crumble can elevate this simple dessert to new heights.
In this post, we’ll explore the best accompaniments for apple crumble, answer frequently asked questions, and provide tips to ensure your crumble is always a hit.
What is Apple Crumble?
Apple crumble is a classic British dessert made from baked apples topped with a crumbly mixture of butter, flour, and sugar. It’s a warm and comforting treat that’s simple to make and perfect for any occasion. The dish starts with a layer of sliced or chopped apples, which are often sweetened with sugar and flavoured with a touch of cinnamon or nutmeg. The crumble topping, made by rubbing butter into flour and sugar until it resembles breadcrumbs, is then sprinkled over the apples.
Once baked, the crumble turns golden and crispy, contrasting beautifully with the soft, tender apples underneath.
Is Apple Crumble the Same as Apple Crisp?
Apple Crumble and Apple Crisp are similar desserts, but they aren’t exactly the same. Both are baked treats made with a sweet, spiced apple filling, but the difference lies in the topping.
Apple Crumble is typically topped with a simple mixture of flour, butter, and sugar. This topping bakes into a soft, slightly crumbly layer that covers the apples.
Apple Crisp, on the other hand, has a topping that includes rolled oats, which makes it crunchier. The addition of oats gives it that extra “crisp” texture when baked, hence the name.
What to Serve with Apple Crisp
You can serve apple crisp with all of the best apple crumble add-ons!
The Classic Pairings for Apple Crumble
Classics, are classics for a reason, right? They work! When you think about what to have with apple crumble, these are probably the first things that come to mind.
These classic apple crumble toppings always taste great, offering complementary flavours and textures that really highlight the beauty of a classic apple crumble.
They can also offer contrasting temperatures, that delight your senses!
Vanilla Ice Cream
A scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream is the quintessential partner to apple crumble. The cold, smooth texture of the ice cream contrasts beautifully with the warm, crumbly topping, making each bite a delight. Choose a high-quality vanilla ice cream with real vanilla bean for the best results, but to be honest, even cheap super-market own basic ice cream will do.
The best thing is, even as your ice cream melts onto your warm crumble it’s still amazing!
Whipped Cream
Light, airy whipped cream adds a touch of elegance to your crumble. Whether you opt for freshly whipped cream or a convenient store-bought version, this topping adds a soft, creamy element that pairs perfectly with the spiced apples and buttery crumble.
Custard
If you prefer a richer, creamier option, custard is an excellent choice. Warm custard poured over hot apple crumble creates a cosy, indulgent dessert that’s hard to beat. You can make your own custard from scratch or use ready-made custard for convenience.
Custard is my personal favourite apple crumble topping, and I absolutely never make it myself!
Beyond the Basics: Creative Accompaniments
As wonderful as the classics are, branching out and trying new things is fun, and a great way to discover new favourites.
Cinnamon-Spiced Cream
Enhance the flavours of your apple crumble by serving it with cinnamon-spiced cream. Simply add a pinch of ground cinnamon to your whipped cream or custard for a warm, spiced twist that complements the crumble’s flavour profile.
You can also add cinnamon to ice cream or custard, or even try different spices such as ginger or nutmeg.
Caramel Sauce
Drizzle a rich caramel sauce over your apple crumble for an extra layer of sweetness. The buttery, toffee-like flavour of caramel pairs wonderfully with the tartness of cooking apples, making this a decadent choice.
Spiced Nuts
For added texture and a nutty flavour, sprinkle a handful of spiced nuts, such as candied pecans or toasted almonds, over your crumble before serving. This adds a delightful crunch and a hint of warmth from the spices.
Different Ice Cream
So for me, it has to be vanilla.
But if you offer my kids ice cream, they are going to say chocolate.
At first, I thought, no, that’s weird.
But, why not?! We mix chocolate with fruit all of the time, and it’s fine, and the kids seem to love it! Apple and Raspberry is a classic flavour combination, so why not try adding some raspberry ripple ice cream?
Different Fruits to Pair with Crumble
As well as creative toppings, a classic apple crumble offers us the chance to try different fruit combinations and flavours.
Blackberry Crumble
If you’re a fan of mixing fruits, consider adding blackberries to your apple crumble. The tartness of blackberries pairs well with the sweetness of apples, creating a more complex flavour profile that’s both sweet and tangy.
We absolutely love berry picking, so in late summer, I’ve got a freezer full of berries that are just waiting for the apples on my tree to catch up ready for some autumn crumbles.
Mincemeat and Apple Crumble
For a festive twist, try adding mincemeat to your apple crumble. The spiced fruit mixture adds a rich, Christmassy flavour that pairs well with apples and traditional crumble topping.
Apple and Pear Crumble
I love pears. They’re softer and have a subtle flavour, which might not lend themselves to crumble.
But, a tart apple, like a Bramley apple works well with added sweet pears.
Apple and Plum Crumble
Plums are rich, decadent and beautiful in cold weather. They are so yummy in a crumble with apples. One of my favourites.
Apple and Raspberry Crumble
Sweet apple and tart raspberry is a great combination. The flavours complement each other beautifully for a tasty crumble.
Different Apple Varieties
Another thing that you can try is different apple varieties. Personally, I like Brambly or Granny Smith, which are firm and tart, but you can try Pink Lady or any other kinds.
Other Additions
Different fruits aren’t the only things that you can add for a warming and delicious apple crumble.
Caramel
Apple and caramel crumble is lovely. Thick, sweet caramel mixed in, or drizzled onto your apples adds a lovely sweetness that works well with custard or ice cream.
Peanut Butter
Peanut butter isn’t for me. But peanut butter and apple slices are a popular snack and the combination of flavors seems to work well.
Mix some peanut butter in with your apple pieces, instead of sugar, before topping with crumble.
Spices
Cinnamon is great, but try ginger, mixed spice, and nutmeg for alternatives.
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice helps to bring out the flavours of the apples, keeping them tart and firm as they bake. Just add a splash.
Perfecting Your Crumble Topping
Crumble Mix
The key to a perfect crumble is in the topping. A classic crumble mix consists of plain flour, caster sugar, and unsalted butter, combined to create a crumbly texture. For added flavour, nutrition and texture, you can add oats or for a crunchier topping, demerara sugar.
I actually use oats in my mixture and then sprinkle with sugar before baking for the best of everything.
Adding Spices
Enhance the warmth of your crumble topping by adding a touch of ground cinnamon or nutmeg to the mix. These spices complement the apples and add depth to the dessert.
Using Different Sugars
Experiment with different types of sugar in your crumble topping. Caster sugar provides a fine, smooth sweetness, while demerara sugar adds a caramel-like crunch that can take your crumble to the next level.
FAQs
What to serve with apple crumble?
Apple crumble is best served with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or warm custard. You can also try caramel sauce, cinnamon-spiced cream, or spiced nuts for a creative twist.
Should apple crumble be served hot or cold?
Apple crumble is traditionally served hot or warm, allowing the crumble topping to be crisp and the apples soft. However, it can also be enjoyed cold, especially when paired with ice cream.
What fruits go well with apples in a crumble?
Blackberries, pears, and rhubarb are popular choices to pair with apples in a crumble. These fruits add a variety of flavours and textures, making the dessert more interesting.
What cream to serve with apple crumble?
Whipped cream is a classic choice, but you can also serve apple crumble with custard or a cinnamon-spiced cream for added flavour.
What is a better choice for a dinner party: apple crumble or apple pie?
Apple crumble is generally quicker and easier to make, making it a great choice for casual dinners. Apple pie, with its flaky crust, might be more suitable for formal occasions. Both are delicious, so the choice depends on the vibe you want to create.
What are the differences between British and American apple crumbles?
British apple crumbles tend to have a simpler, less sweet topping, often made with just flour, sugar, and butter. American crumbles, also known as crisps, often include oats and sometimes nuts in the topping, giving it a different texture and flavour.
Conclusion
Apple crumble is a versatile dessert that can be paired with a variety of accompaniments to suit different tastes. Whether you stick with classic options like vanilla ice cream and custard or explore new flavours with spiced nuts and caramel sauce, there’s no wrong way to enjoy this comforting treat. Don’t forget to experiment with your crumble topping for that perfect crunchy finish!
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