Brown Butter Apple Crumble (The Coziest Fall Dessert)

There are few things in this world that say “cozy fall” quite like a warm, bubbling Apple Crumble fresh from the oven. But this isn’t just any crumble. This is the one that will ruin all others for you, in the best possible way.

Our secret? Brown butter. We’re taking the classic, comforting crumble topping and giving it a massive flavor upgrade by browning the butter first. It adds an incredible, nutty, toasty depth that transforms the entire dish from simply “good” to “unforgettable.” Paired with sweet, jammy apples and a final sprinkle of flaky salt, it’s the perfect balance of sweet, savory, crunchy, and soft. Your house will smell absolutely heavenly. This is the ultimate comfort food dessert.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• The Brown Butter Magic: It’s one simple, extra step that adds a ridiculous amount of toasty, nutty, caramel-like flavor.
• The Perfect Crunchy Topping: A generous amount of rolled oats and toasted pecans creates a crumble that’s the perfect textural contrast to the soft, tender apples.
• So Incredibly Easy: It looks and tastes like a gourmet dessert, but it’s one of the simplest, most rewarding things you can make.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Let’s bake something truly special. Here’s how to do it.

First, let’s gather our beautiful, simple ingredients.

Next, prepare your apple filling. We’ll slice the apples and toss them with a little sugar, lemon juice, and cinnamon right in the baking dish.

Now for the secret weapon: the brown butter. We’ll melt the butter on the stove and let it cook just until it’s foamy, fragrant, and a beautiful nutty brown color.

Finally, make the crumble and assemble! We’ll mix our dry ingredients, pour in that glorious brown butter, and toss it until a crumbly topping forms.

Then, we’ll generously sprinkle it all over the apples before baking to golden-brown, bubbling perfection.

Ava’s Notes

• Watch Your Butter! Brown butter can go from perfect to burnt in a matter of seconds. As soon as you see little brown specks and smell a nutty aroma, take it off the heat!
• What Kind of Apples to Use? A firm, tart apple like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn is perfect! They hold their shape and their tartness balances the sweet topping.
• Serve it Warm! This crumble is at its absolute best when it’s served warm from the oven with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream and a final tiny pinch of flaky sea salt.

Brown Butter Apple Crumble with Toasted Pecans

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Servings

6-8

servings

Prep time

20

minutes

Cooking time

40

minutes

Total time

1

hour 

5

minutes

Cook Mode

Keep the screen of your device on

Ingredients

• For the Apple Filling:

• 6 Medium apples (about 3 lbs), peeled, cored, and sliced (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix)

• 1/4 c granulated sugar

• 1 tbsp lemon Juice

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

• For the Brown Butter Crumble Topping:

• 1/2 c unsalted butter

• 1 c all-purpose flour

• 1 c old-fashioned rolled oats

• 1/2 c packed brown sugar

• 1/2 c chopped pecans, toasted (optional but highly recommended)

• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

• A pinch of salt

• For Serving:

• Vanilla ice cream

• Flaky sea salt

Directions

• Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
• Make the Filling: In a 9-inch pie plate or a similar-sized baking dish, combine the sliced apples, granulated sugar, lemon juice, and 1 tsp of cinnamon. Toss well to coat and spread in an even layer.
• Brown the Butter: Place the 1/2 cup of butter in a small, light-colored saucepan over medium heat. Melt the butter, then continue to cook, swirling the pan occasionally, until the butter foams, the milk solids turn a toasty brown, and it smells nutty (about 5-7 minutes). Immediately remove from the heat and set aside to cool slightly.
• brown sugar, toasted pecans, 1/2 tsp of cinnamon, and salt. Pour the slightly cooled brown butter over the dry ingredients. Use a fork to toss everything together until the mixture is evenly moistened and forms coarse crumbs.
• Assemble (The “Sprinkle”): Generously and evenly sprinkle the crumble topping over the apple filling.
• Bake: Place the dish on a baking sheet to catch any potential drips. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the topping is deep golden brown and the apple filling is bubbly.
• Cool and Serve: Let the crumble cool for at least 15 minutes. Serve warm with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream and a final, tiny sprinkle of flaky sea salt.

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