Autumn brings a bounty of ripe apples perfect for turning into a delicious apple crumble—a timeless British favorite. While the traditional recipe is undoubtedly delightful, Mary Berry has a clever twist that elevates this dessert from simply tasty to genuinely exceptional. The secret? A handful of walnuts.
Incorporating walnuts adds a subtle nuttiness that beautifully enhances the natural sweetness of the apples without complicating the recipe. According to BBC Good Food, Mary Berry’s unique technique involves baking the apples and the nutty topping separately, which results in an outstandingly crunchy crumble.
This method begins by peeling and thinly slicing the apples before placing them in a flameproof casserole dish. Add lemon juice, sugar, and a few tablespoons of water, then cook the apples in the oven at 180°C (160°C fan/Gas 4) for about 20 minutes until tender but still intact.
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While the apples bake, prepare the topping by mixing dry ingredients—including flour, sugar, and chopped walnuts. Rub cold butter into the mix until it forms coarse crumbs, then bake this mixture separately on a tray for around 20 minutes until golden brown and crisp. Breaking the topping into smaller pieces before sprinkling it over the cooked apples ensures a delightful texture contrast.
This recipe serves up to six and requires less than 30 minutes of prep time, with baking taking between 30 minutes to an hour. The result is a warm, comforting apple crumble with an irresistible crunchy nut topping, perfect for autumnal indulgence.