Spiced Cranberry Apple Crumble: 1 Easy Recipe

Spiced Cranberry Apple Crumble has a way of instantly transporting me back to crisp autumn days, the scent of cinnamon and apples wafting from the kitchen. I remember my first attempt at making this cozy dessert; it was a bit messy but the warm, tangy fruit bubbling beneath a crunchy, nutty topping was pure magic. This Cranberry Apple Crumble recipe is my go-to for any fall gathering. It’s an Autumn Spiced Cranberry Apple Crumble that truly captures the essence of the season. I’ve tweaked it over the years to make sure it’s always perfectly balanced and utterly delicious. Let’s get cooking!

Why You’ll Love This Spiced Cranberry Apple Crumble

This Spiced Cranberry Apple Crumble is a winner for so many reasons. It’s the perfect blend of tart and sweet, with a delightful crunch that makes every bite exciting. You’ll love how quick it is to whip up, making it an ideal treat even on busy weeknights. Plus, it’s packed with wholesome fruits, making it a slightly healthier indulgence.

• Incredible Flavor: A perfect harmony of tart cranberries, sweet apples, and warm spices.
• Quick Prep Time: Ready to bake in just 15 minutes!
• Budget-Friendly: Uses common pantry staples and seasonal fruits.
• Family Favorite: Kids and adults alike adore this comforting dessert.
• Homemade Goodness: Experience the joy of a truly Homemade Spiced Cranberry Apple Crumble.
• Effortless Baking: This is an incredibly Easy Spiced Cranberry Apple Crumble, perfect for beginners.
• Versatile: Easily adaptable for dietary needs.
• Aromatic: Fills your home with the comforting scent of baking fruit and spices.

Ingredients for Spiced Cranberry Apple Crumble

Gathering the right ingredients is key to creating the perfect Spiced Cranberry Apple Crumble. This recipe balances tartness with sweetness, enhanced by a delightful blend of spices. Here’s what you’ll need for this delightful Cranberry Apple Crumble recipe with spices:

• 2 cups fresh cranberries – These provide a lovely tartness that cuts through the sweetness.
• 4 cups apples, sliced – I like to use a mix of sweet and tart apples, like Honeycrisp and Granny Smith, for the best flavor depth.
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed – Brown sugar adds a rich, caramel-like sweetness and helps create that perfect gooey filling.
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon – This classic spice is essential for that warm, cozy flavor.
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg – A little nutmeg adds a wonderful aromatic complexity to the Cranberry and Apple Crumble spices.
• 1 cup chopped pecans – For the crunchy topping; walnuts are a great substitute if you prefer.
• 1 cup all-purpose flour – This forms the base of our crumble topping.
• 1/2 cup rolled oats – Oats add wonderful texture and a slightly nutty flavor to the topping.
• 1/2 cup butter, melted – This binds the topping ingredients together, creating that irresistible crispiness. For a vegan option, use vegan margarine.

How to Make Spiced Cranberry Apple Crumble

Let’s get this delicious Spiced Cranberry Apple Crumble baking! This recipe is designed to be straightforward, guiding you through each step to create a truly memorable dessert. You’ll find the process quite simple, and the aroma that fills your kitchen will be absolutely divine. Follow these steps to create the perfect Spiced Cranberry Apple Crumble.

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven heats up, lightly grease a 9-inch square baking dish. This ensures your crumble won’t stick and makes for easy serving.
2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine the fresh cranberries, sliced apples (aim for about half-inch thick slices for even cooking), the packed brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. Toss everything gently with a spoon or spatula until the fruit is thoroughly coated. The spices will start to release their wonderful fragrance.
3. Step 3: Pour the prepared fruit mixture into your greased baking dish. Spread it out evenly, making sure the cranberries and apples are in a single layer as much as possible. This helps everything cook uniformly.
4. Step 4: Now, let’s make the topping for this amazing Spiced Cranberry Apple Crumble. In a separate bowl, combine the chopped pecans, all-purpose flour, rolled oats, and melted butter. Use a fork to mix everything together until it forms coarse crumbs. You want it to look like wet sand – not too dry, not too clumpy. This is a key step for that irresistible texture in our Spiced fruit crumble recipe.
5. Step 5: Evenly sprinkle the crumbly topping over the fruit layer in the baking dish. Make sure to cover the entire surface of the fruit.
6. Step 6: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven. Bake for 30-35 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the topping is beautifully golden brown and you can see the fruit filling bubbling around the edges. The scent of baking apples and cranberries is your cue!
7. Step 7: Once baked, carefully remove the Spiced Cranberry Apple Crumble from the oven. Let it cool on a wire rack for about 10-15 minutes before serving. This short resting period allows the juices to thicken slightly, making it perfect for scooping.

Pro Tips for the Best Spiced Cranberry Apple Crumble

Want to elevate your crumble game? These simple tips will ensure your Spiced Cranberry Apple Crumble is absolutely divine every single time. I’ve learned a few things over the years that make a big difference in texture and flavor.

• Use a mix of apples: Combining varieties like Granny Smith for tartness and Honeycrisp for sweetness creates a more complex and delicious fruit filling.
• Don’t overwork the topping: Mix the crumble topping ingredients just until combined. Overmixing can lead to a tough, dense texture instead of a light, crisp one.
• Let it rest: Allowing the crumble to cool for at least 10-15 minutes after baking lets the juices thicken, preventing a soupy mess when you serve it.
• Toast your nuts: For an extra burst of flavor in your Spiced Cranberry Apple Crumble topping, quickly toast the pecans before adding them to the mix.

What’s the secret to perfect Spiced Cranberry Apple Crumble?

The real secret to the Best Spiced Cranberry Apple Crumble lies in achieving that perfect balance. It’s all about the ratio of tart fruit to sweet topping and a good blend of warm spices. My trick is using a mix of apples and not over-baking it!

Can I make Spiced Cranberry Apple Crumble ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the fruit filling and the crumble topping separately up to 24 hours in advance. Store them in the refrigerator in airtight containers. Assemble just before baking to ensure the topping stays crisp.

How do I avoid common mistakes with Spiced Cranberry Apple Crumble?

A couple of common pitfalls include using only one type of apple, which can lead to a one-dimensional flavor. Also, overmixing the crumble topping can make it tough. Lastly, don’t skip the cooling time; it’s crucial for the filling to set properly. For more baking tips, check out these baking tips.

Best Ways to Serve Spiced Cranberry Apple Crumble

This Spiced Cranberry Apple Crumble is fantastic served warm, fresh from the oven. It’s a versatile dessert that pairs beautifully with a variety of accompaniments. For a truly decadent experience, I love spooning a generous scoop of vanilla bean ice cream over the warm crumble; the contrast of hot and cold is divine! Another favorite pairing is a dollop of freshly whipped cream or a drizzle of crème anglaise. If you’re looking for a more sophisticated option, a small spoonful of Greek yogurt offers a tangy counterpoint. This Spiced Apple Cranberry Crumble dessert is also wonderful alongside a simple cup of coffee or tea. For other dessert ideas, consider a pistachio pavlova or a classic apple pie.

Nutrition Facts for Spiced Cranberry Apple Crumble

This Spiced Cranberry Apple Crumble is a delightful treat, and here’s a look at its estimated nutritional breakdown per serving. Keep in mind that these figures can vary slightly based on the exact ingredients and portion sizes you use.

• Calories: 250 kcal
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 150 mg

Nutritional values are estimates and may vary based on specific ingredients used.

How to Store and Reheat Spiced Cranberry Apple Crumble

Don’t let any delicious Spiced Cranberry Apple Crumble go to waste! Once it’s cooled completely from baking, proper storage is key to maintaining its wonderful texture and flavor. For the best Homemade Spiced Cranberry Apple Crumble storage, let the crumble cool on a wire rack for at least an hour. Once cooled, you can store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days, or in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. If you want to keep this delightful dessert longer, wrap the cooled dish tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. It can be frozen for up to 3 months! To reheat, bake individual portions in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-15 minutes until warmed through, or microwave for about 30-60 seconds.

Frequently Asked Questions About Spiced Cranberry Apple Crumble

What is Spiced Cranberry Apple Crumble?

Spiced Cranberry Apple Crumble is a warm, comforting dessert featuring a base of tart cranberries and sweet apples baked under a crunchy, spiced crumble topping. It’s a classic autumn dessert, often made with nuts and oats in the topping for extra texture and flavor. Think of it as a rustic, deconstructed pie that’s incredibly satisfying. For more information on the benefits of apples, you can read about the many benefits of onions (though apples are great too!).

Can I use frozen cranberries or apples?

Yes, you absolutely can! If using frozen cranberries, there’s no need to thaw them. For frozen apples, I recommend thawing them first and draining off any excess liquid before adding them to the fruit mixture to prevent a watery filling in your Spiced Cranberry Crumble with apples.

What spices are in Spiced Cranberry Apple Crumble?

The classic spices for this dessert are ground cinnamon and nutmeg. However, you can get creative! A pinch of ground ginger, cloves, or even a tiny bit of allspice can add wonderful depth. Sometimes, a touch of cardamom can also be a delightful addition to the Cranberry and Apple Crumble spices.

How do I get a crispy topping?

Ensure your butter or margarine is fully melted and coats the dry ingredients well. Don’t overmix the topping; you want it to stay crumbly. Baking at the correct temperature and not overcrowding the pan also helps the topping crisp up beautifully. A final sprinkle of sugar on top before baking can also help with browning and crispiness.

Variations of Spiced Cranberry Apple Crumble You Can Try

This Spiced Cranberry Apple Crumble is wonderfully versatile, and you can easily adapt it to suit various dietary needs or flavor preferences. Experimenting with these variations can bring new life to this classic dessert, ensuring everyone can enjoy a slice of this comforting treat.

• Gluten-free Spiced Cranberry Apple Crumble: Simply swap out the all-purpose flour and oats for a good quality gluten-free flour blend and certified gluten-free oats. The texture will be just as delightful, making it a perfect option for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Vegan Spiced Cranberry Apple Crumble: For a dairy-free version, substitute the butter in the topping with vegan margarine or coconut oil. Ensure your sugar is also vegan-friendly, as some sugars are processed with bone char.
• Nut-Free Option: If you or your guests have nut allergies, simply omit the pecans from the topping. You can replace them with an equal amount of sunflower seeds for a similar crunch, or just increase the oats slightly.
• Spiced Pear and Cranberry Crumble: Swap out half of the apples for ripe pears. Pears add a different kind of sweetness and a wonderfully soft texture when baked, complementing the tart cranberries beautifully.

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