This warmly spiced Mary Berry Apple Cinnamon Crumble is made with tangy Bramley apples, a generous amount of ground cinnamon, and a buttery crumble topping. This recipe creates a perfect comforting dessert, with soft apples infused with warm cinnamon under a crisp, buttery, and golden topping. It’s the ideal dessert for a chilly autumn evening or after a Sunday lunch, serving 6 people.
Jump to RecipeMary Berry Apple Cinnamon Crumble Ingredients
For the Apple Cinnamon Filling:
- 900g (2lb) Bramley apples
- 2 tbsp caster sugar
- 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp water
For the Crumble Topping:
- 225g plain flour
- 110g unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
- 50g caster sugar
- 50g demerara sugar, for sprinkling
How To Make Mary Berry Apple Cinnamon Crumble
- Preheat your oven and prepare the dish. Heat the oven to 200°C (180°C Fan, Gas Mark 6). Lightly butter a 1.4-litre (2 ½ pint) shallow ovenproof dish.
- Prepare the apples. Peel, core, and cut the Bramley apples into thick, even slices. Place them directly into the prepared dish.
- Season the apple filling. Sprinkle the caster sugar, ground cinnamon, and lemon juice over the sliced apples. Add the water and toss everything together gently until the apples are evenly coated in the cinnamon and sugar.
- Make the crumble topping. In a large bowl, add the plain flour and the chilled, cubed butter. Use your fingertips to rub the butter into the flour until the mixture looks like coarse breadcrumbs.
- Add the sugar. Stir the 50g of caster sugar into the crumble mixture. Use a fork or a knife to mix, which helps keep the topping light and airy.
- Assemble the crumble. Spoon the crumble topping evenly over the cinnamon-spiced apples. Sprinkle it on loosely and avoid pressing it down.
- Bake until golden brown. Sprinkle the demerara sugar evenly over the top for a crunchy finish. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the topping is crisp and golden and the apple filling is bubbling up at the edges.
- Rest before serving. Let the crumble stand for about 10 minutes after baking. This allows the hot filling to cool slightly and set, making it easier to serve.

Recipe Tips
- Use Fragrant Cinnamon: For the best flavour, use a good-quality, fresh ground cinnamon. A fragrant spice will make a noticeable difference and provide that classic warm, comforting aroma and taste.
- Choose Bramley Apples: Bramley apples are ideal for crumbles as they break down during baking into a soft, fluffy purée. Their natural tartness is the perfect balance for the sweet topping and warm cinnamon.
- Keep the Butter Cold: For a perfectly crisp and crumbly topping, use butter that is chilled straight from the fridge. Rub it into the flour quickly with just your fingertips to prevent it from becoming warm and oily.
- Don’t Press Down the Topping: To achieve a light, crunchy crumble, always sprinkle the topping loosely over the fruit. Compacting it will result in a dense, biscuit-like layer instead of a delicate crumble.
What To Serve Apple Cinnamon Crumble
This classic Apple Cinnamon Crumble is best served hot from the oven. It pairs perfectly with a generous pouring of warm, creamy custard, which complements the warm spice. A scoop of vanilla ice cream that melts into the hot fruit or a drizzle of thick double (heavy) cream are also delicious accompaniments.
How To Store Apple Cinnamon Crumble Leftovers
- Refrigerate: Once the crumble has cooled to room temperature, cover the dish with foil or transfer the leftovers to an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: To enjoy leftovers and re-crisp the topping, place the crumble in an oven preheated to 180°C (160°C Fan, Gas Mark 4) for 15-20 minutes, or until it is heated through.
Mary Berry Apple Cinnamon Crumble Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1/6th of crumble
- Calories: 455 kcal
- Total Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
- Sodium: 10mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 69g
- Dietary Fiber: 4g
- Sugars: 41g
- Protein: 4g
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use different apples other than Bramley? Yes, you can use eating apples like Cox’s or Granny Smiths. They will hold their shape more than Bramley apples, resulting in a chunkier filling. As they are sweeter, you might want to slightly reduce the amount of caster sugar in the filling.
- Can I add other spices to the crumble? Certainly. A pinch of ground nutmeg or a ¼ teaspoon of mixed spice can be added along with the cinnamon to give the filling an even deeper, more complex spiced flavour.
- How much cinnamon should I use? This recipe uses 1 ½ teaspoons for a distinct but not overpowering cinnamon flavour. If you are a big fan of cinnamon, you can increase this to 2 teaspoons.
- My crumble topping was soggy. What did I do wrong? A soggy topping is usually caused by either the fruit filling being too wet or the crumble topping being pressed down too firmly. Ensure you only add the specified amount of water and always sprinkle the topping on lightly without compacting it.
Try More Recipes:
- Mary Berry Apple And Blackberry Crumble Cake Recipe
- Mary Berry Apple And Rhubarb Crumble Recipe
- Mary Berry Blackberry And Apple Crumble Recipe
Mary Berry Apple Cinnamon Crumble Recipe
Course: DessertCuisine: British6
servings15
minutes40
minutes455
kcalA classic and comforting Mary Berry Apple Cinnamon Crumble. This recipe features soft, tangy Bramley apples generously spiced with warm cinnamon, all baked under a crisp, buttery demerara sugar topping.
Ingredients
- For the Apple Cinnamon Filling:
900g (2lb) Bramley apples
2 tbsp caster sugar
1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
1 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp water
- For the Crumble Topping:
225g plain flour
110g unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
50g caster sugar
50g demerara sugar, for sprinkling
Directions
- Prepare the filling: Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C Fan). Peel, core, and slice the apples. Place them in a 1.4-litre ovenproof dish and toss with the caster sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice, and water.
- Make the topping: In a bowl, rub the chilled butter into the flour with your fingertips until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Stir in the caster sugar.
- Assemble: Spoon the crumble topping loosely over the apples, ensuring they are fully covered.
- Bake: Sprinkle the demerara sugar over the top. Bake for 35-40 minutes until the topping is golden and the fruit is bubbling at the sides.
- Serve: Allow the crumble to rest for 10 minutes before serving hot with custard, cream, or ice cream.