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Salted Caramel Apple Crumble - Cozy, Comforting, and Perfectly Sweet-Salty

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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • Apples: 6–7 medium (about 2 1/2 pounds), a mix of tart and sweet (Granny Smith + Honeycrisp or Braeburn)
  • Lemon juice: 1 tablespoon
  • Granulated sugar: 1/4 cup (for filling)
  • Brown sugar: 1/2 cup light or dark (split between filling and topping)
  • Cinnamon: 1 1/2 teaspoons
  • Nutmeg: 1/4 teaspoon
  • All-purpose flour: 3/4 cup (for topping) + 1 tablespoon (for filling)
  • Old-fashioned rolled oats: 3/4 cup
  • Unsalted butter: 1/2 cup (1 stick), cold, cut into cubes (for topping)
  • Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon
  • Salt: 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt (for caramel and topping), plus a pinch
  • Caramel sauce ingredients (if making homemade): 1 cup granulated sugar, 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/2–3/4 teaspoon flaky or fine sea salt
  • Optional add-ins: 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts; 1/4 cup raisins
  • To serve: Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream

Method
 

  1. Preheat and prep: Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly butter a 9-inch square baking dish or similar 2-quart dish.
  2. Make the caramel (if homemade): In a heavy saucepan, melt 1 cup sugar over medium heat, stirring just until it liquefies and turns deep amber. Whisk in 6 tablespoons butter until smooth. Slowly whisk in 1/2 cup heavy cream (it will bubble). Remove from heat and stir in 1/2–3/4 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Cool 5–10 minutes to thicken slightly.
  3. Prep the apples: Peel, core, and slice apples 1/4-inch thick. Toss with lemon juice, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 tablespoon flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Spread evenly in the baking dish.
  4. Add caramel: Drizzle about 1/2 to 2/3 cup caramel over the apples. Reserve the rest for serving.
  5. Make the crumble topping: In a bowl, combine 3/4 cup flour, 3/4 cup oats, remaining brown sugar (about 6 tablespoons), and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cut in the cold butter with a pastry cutter or your fingers until large, pea-sized clumps form. For extra crunch, mix in nuts if using.
  6. Top and bake: Sprinkle the crumble evenly over the apples. Bake 40–50 minutes, until the topping is golden and the apple juices are bubbling around the edges.
  7. Rest and serve: Let the crumble rest 10–15 minutes so the juices thicken. Serve warm with ice cream and an extra drizzle of salted caramel.