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Golden homemade apple pie with crispy crumble topping, one slice cut out to reveal juicy apple filling on a rustic wooden table.
Sonia Khan

Homemade Apple Pie Crumble Topping – Make-Ahead Friendly

Easy apple pie crumble topping recipe made with butter, brown sugar, and flour. Ready in 10 minutes for a crisp, golden streusel topping. Whether you’re making it for the holidays or a cozy weekend dessert, this homemade crumb topping will make your apple pie truly memorable.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 7 servings
Course: Dessert, pie topping
Cuisine: American
Calories: 190
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup unsalted butter cold and cubed
  • ½ cup packed brown sugar
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • A pinch of salt

Equipment

  • 1 oven

Method
 

  1. Combine all-purpose flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Whisk them together until evenly blended to ensure your topping bakes uniformly and every bite has a consistent flavor.
    Mixing bowl with flour, sugar, oats, and spices for homemade apple pie crumble topping, combined with a spoon.
  2. Add cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Use your fingertips or two forks & rub the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
    Cold butter cubes being cut into flour, sugar, and oats in a mixing bowl for homemade apple pie crumble topping, forming a crumbly texture.
  3. For a nutty or rustic topping, fold in rolled oats, chopped pecans, or shredded coconut. These optional additions create extra crunch and a more complex flavor profile.
    Chopped nuts, cinnamon, and oats being added to the crumble mixture in a mixing bowl for homemade apple pie crumble topping.
  4. Prepare your favorite apple pie filling in a 9-inch pie pan. Sprinkle evenly the crumble topping over the apples, gently pressing a few clusters down but leaving most loose for a rustic look.
    Apple pie filling in a 9-inch pie pan with homemade crumble topping sprinkled on top, some clusters pressed for a rustic look.
  5. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 35-45 minutes, or until the topping is golden and the filling bubbles.
    Apple pie filling in a 9-inch pie pan with homemade crumble topping sprinkled on top, some clusters pressed for a rustic look.

Notes

  1. Use cold, cubed butter to get a crispy, golden crumble. It creates small buttery pockets that bake beautifully, giving your topping a light and airy texture without becoming heavy or soggy.
  2. Refrigerating the crumble for 10-15 minutes before sprinkling it on the pie to hold its shape while baking. 
  3. Use a combination of brown sugar and granulated sugar to add depth of flavor and ensure a perfectly crisp topping.