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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.
SavorAndSpice

Homemade Apple Pie Crumble Topping – Make-Ahead Friendly

This classic apple pie crumble topping is buttery, slightly caramelized, and effortlessly elevates the comforting flavors of homemade apple pie. 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
 

Mix the Dry Ingredients
  1. Take a medium bowl, combine all-purpose flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. 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.
Cut in the Butter
  1. 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. Remember, some larger chunks are okay; they'll bake into crisp, buttery clusters that add texture to your topping.
    Cold butter cubes being cut into flour, sugar, and oats in a mixing bowl for homemade apple pie crumble topping, forming a crumbly texture.
Optional Add-Ins
  1. If you want 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.
Assemble Your Pie
  1. 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.
Bake to Golden Perfection
  1. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 35-45 minutes, or until the topping is golden and the filling bubbles. Check halfway through, if the topping browns too quickly, loosely cover the edges with foil to prevent burning.
    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.