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    Home » Desserts » Apple and Plum Crumble

    Apple and Plum Crumble

    Published: Oct 1, 2022 by Linda Warren

    Jump to Recipe

    Decadently syrupy and served bubbling hot, apple and plum crumble is a rustic dessert that overwhelms your senses.

    All the tastes and textures you love about fall are in this classic cast iron skillet dessert. Plum crumble gets elevated to new heights with the addition of a few apples. Top with ice cream, and it's a must-make fall recipe!

    Overhead of apple and plum crumble in skillet with serving on plate with ice cream.

    Table of contents

    • Yummy Fall Dessert
    • What is a crumble?
      • Crumble vs Crisp
    • Why You'll Love This Apple and Plum Crumble Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Best Apples for a Crumble or Crisp
    • How to Make Apple and Plum Crumble
      • Crumble Topping
      • Fruit Filling
    • What to Serve with Plum Apple Crumble
    • Make Ahead
    • How to Store, Freeze, and Reheat
    • More Apple Desserts

    Yummy Fall Dessert

    There is so much to love about this apple and plum crumble. It's not just appealing to look at; the aromas will have you digging in with a spoon before it cools off. The rich, candied flavors of the apples and plums are topped with a crispy and crunchy crumb topping.

    It's a fruity explosion of heady flavors. Add this to your favorite fall recipes list - right along with apple cider donuts and pumpkin pecan pie. This dazzling plum crisp is just begging you to make it, top it with ice cream, and dig in spoon first!

    Plum crumble with oats in iron skillet.

    What is a crumble?

    A crumble is a fruit dessert with a crumbly topping, hence the name. The topping isn't a crust, it really does crumble across the apple plum crisp filling.

    Crumble vs Crisp

    Crumble and crisp have become interchangeable names for this type of dessert. In the strictest sense, a crumble's topping is more like a strudel and a crisp's topping has oats and sometimes nuts.

    So this could be an apple plum crumble with oats or an apple plum crisp. No matter the name, this is an incredibly tasty dessert you'll want to make often.

    Why You'll Love This Apple and Plum Crumble Recipe

    This apple and plum crisp recipe dances on your tongue. First, the caramelized rolled oats give you a satisfying crunch. Then, underneath it all is the sticky plum and apple filling. It's surprisingly rich and sweet, the perfect balance of falls' warm cinnamon spices.

    Ingredients

    Ingredients for crumble topping.

    Here's what you'll need for the crumble topping:

    • Old-fashioned rolled oats - make sure to use rolled oats and not quick-cooking oats
    • All-purpose flour
    • Light brown sugar
    • Ground cinnamon
    • Baking powder
    • Salt
    • Butter - make sure your butter is very, very cold for the best crumb
    Ingredients for apple plum filling.

    Here's what you'll need for the fruit filling:

    • Apples - see below for the best types of apples to use
    • Plums - you want them ripe but not overly ripe
    • Lemon juice - prevent apples from turning brown
    • Light brown sugar - sweetens the fruit filling
    • All-purpose flour - thickens the fruit juices while it bakes
    • Ground cinnamon - warm fall seasoning that compliments the apples
    • Salt - enhances the flavors

    Best Apples for a Crumble or Crisp

    You'll want to use a firm, tart apple when baking a fruit dessert. Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Gala, and Jonathan apples are the best apples for crumbles, crisps, and cobblers.

    How to Make Apple and Plum Crumble

    Crumble Topping

    Steps to make oat crumble.
    1. Combine oats, flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and cinnamon in a bowl.
    2. Add very cold butter cut into cubes.
    Finished crumble in bowl.
    1. Use a pastry cutter to cut the mixture together until it resembles coarse crumbs. I like to use my fingers once it is partially mixed to help form the crumbs more quickly.

    Fruit Filling

    Steps to make fruit filling.
    1. Combine sugar, flour, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl. Stir together.
    2. Peel and core apples then slice thinly. Pour lemon juice over them to prevent browning.
    3. Place the sliced plums and apples into the cinnamon sugar mixture.
    4. Toss well to coat.
    5. Place the fruit filling in a 10" iron skillet that has been coated with butter.
    6. Crumble the topping on top of the apples and pears.
    Apple and plum crumble ready for oven.
    1. Bake in a 375-degree oven for 30-35 minutes. When the plum crisp is done, you will notice that the fruit filling is bubbling up around the crumble topping. NOTE: DO NOT GRAB THE HANDLE WITHOUT POT HOLDERS. IT WILL BE VERY HOT!
    Scooping out a serving from skillet.

    I like to serve this apple plum crisp while warm. Scoop it out onto a plate and serve with a topping of vanilla ice cream. Perfect for the fall and winter days ahead. Enjoy!

    What to Serve with Plum Apple Crumble

    Serving on plate topped with ice cream.

    This dessert is wonderful on its own or topped with something cool and creamy. Here are the most popular toppings:

    • Vanilla Ice Cream
    • Vanilla Pudding
    • Whipped Cream

    Make Ahead

    You can make this dessert a day ahead. You'll need to assemble it but not bake it. Instead, cover it and refrigerate it overnight.

    The next day, take the crumble out of the refrigerator an hour before baking. Bake as directed in the recipe.

    How to Store, Freeze, and Reheat

    To Store: Let the crumble cool completely and cover the crumble with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for up to 4 days.

    To Freeze: Cover the crumble with plastic wrap and then wrap it with aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight.

    Note when freezing a crumble or crisp, the filling may get somewhat watery and the topping won't be as crunchy.

    To Reheat: The best way to reheat a fruit crumble is in the oven at 350°F until warmed through. You can also microwave it in 30-second intervals. Microwaved crumble topping won't be as crunchy.

    More Apple Desserts

    • Apple Bundt Cake with pecans is an easy cake to make in one bowl.
    • Apple Dumplings with vanilla sauce.
    • Apple Cider Pound Cake with caramel glaze.
    • Apple Pie Cookies from Crayons & Cravings
    • Caramel Apple Crisp Bars with pecans.

    Find lots of delicious dessert recipes here on 2CM!

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    Overhead of skillet with one serving on plate.

    Apple and Plum Crumble

    Decadently syrupy and served bubbling hot, apple and plum crumble is an easy rustic dessert with all the tastes and textures you love about fall.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 35 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 50 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8 servings
    Calories: 343kcal
    Author: Linda Warren

    Ingredients

    Crumble Topping

    • ¾ cup rolled oats
    • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
    • ¾ cup light brown sugar
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
    • ½ teaspoon baking powder
    • ⅛ teaspoon salt
    • ½ cup cold butter, cut in cubes

    Fruit Filling

    • 2 ½ cups apples, peeled & cored cut in thin slices
    • 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
    • 2 ½ cups plums cut in wedges
    • ⅓ cup light brown sugar, packed
    • 3 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
    • ½ teaspoon salt

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter a 10" iron skillet. If you don't have an iron skillet, use a similar size oven-safe dish.

    Crumble Topping

    • Combine oats, flour, brown sugar, salt, baking powder, and cinnamon in a medium bowl.
    • Cut in butter using a pastry cutter and/or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

    Fruit Filling

    • Cut up apples and sprinkle with lemon juice.
    • Cut up plums.
    • In a large bowl, combine brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and salt.
    • Add fruit to the bowl and toss until all pieces are well coated.
    • Pour fruit mixture into prepared skillet.
    • Cover with crumble topping.
    • Bake for 35-45 minutes or until you can see the fruit mixture bubbling and the crumbs are browned. BE CAREFUL WHEN REMOVING SKILLET FROM OVEN. USE A POT HOLDER OR OVEN MITT TO GRAB THE HANDLE.
    • Serve warm topped with vanilla ice cream.

    Notes

    STORE/FREEZE/REHEAT
    To Store: Let the crumble cool completely and cover the crumble with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for up to 4 days.
    To Freeze: Cover the crumble with plastic wrap and then wrap it with aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight.
    Note when freezing a crumble or crisp, the filling may get somewhat watery and the topping won't be as crunchy.
    To Reheat: The best way to reheat a fruit crumble is in the oven at 350°F until warmed through. You can also microwave it in 30-second intervals. Microwaved crumble topping won't be as crunchy.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 343kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 283mg | Potassium: 238mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 38g | Vitamin A: 555IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 56mg | Iron: 1mg

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    Hey, I’m Linda, the recipe creator, photographer and cocktail lover at 2 Cookin Mamas. Here you’ll find easy recipes that are not only delicious but can get you out of the kitchen ASAP. Come and join me and let me take you on a tasty trip through your kitchen. Thanks for stopping by! Learn more about me

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