Apple Cider Crumble Crunch Slab (Printable)

Tart apples, warming spices, and oat crumble meet a crisp topping for a shareable, cozy dessert slab.

# Components:

→ Apple Filling

01 - 8 cups tart apples (such as Granny Smith), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
02 - 1/2 cup apple cider
03 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
04 - 2 tablespoons lemon juice
05 - 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
06 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
07 - 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
08 - 2 tablespoons cornstarch
09 - Pinch of salt

→ Crumble Base

10 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
11 - 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
12 - 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
13 - 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
14 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
15 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

→ Crunch Topping

16 - 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
17 - 1 cup crushed pretzels or graham crackers
18 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
19 - 2 tablespoons demerara or turbinado sugar

# Directions:

01 - Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring an overhang for easy removal.
02 - In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples with apple cider, granulated sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cornstarch, and salt. Toss to coat evenly and set aside.
03 - In a separate bowl, thoroughly combine the flour, rolled oats, light brown sugar, melted butter, baking powder, and kosher salt until a crumbly, moistened mixture forms.
04 - Press two-thirds of the crumble mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to create an even base layer.
05 - Evenly distribute the prepared apple mixture over the crumble base, ensuring all juices are poured over the top.
06 - Sprinkle the remaining crumble mixture evenly over the apple layer.
07 - In another bowl, combine the chopped nuts, crushed pretzels or graham crackers, melted butter, and demerara sugar. Scatter this mixture uniformly over the top layer.
08 - Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the topping achieves a golden hue and the apple filling is bubbling.
09 - Allow the slab to cool in the pan for at least 1 hour before carefully lifting it out and slicing into portions.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in just over an hour
  • Perfect for feeding a crowd with 12 generous servings
  • Features layers of texture from soft apples to crunchy topping
  • Uses simple ingredients you likely have during apple season
02 -
  • Can be made up to 2 days ahead and stored covered at room temperature
  • Each serving provides a full serving of fruit
  • The combination of textures makes this more interesting than traditional apple crisp
03 -
  • Always slice your apples to a uniform thickness around 1/4 inch to ensure they cook evenly
  • For the most dramatic flavor contrast use the tartest apples you can find
  • The crumble base should be packed firmly but the topping should remain loose for textural variation

Return