Vegan Brown Butter Apple Crumble

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Buttery and spiced apple slices baked with a layer of chewy and crispy crumble. The easier and more delicious alternative to the fall-favourite apple pie!

Apples in baked desserts is honestly quite something. I love how apples become soft, sweeter and slightly tangy when baked. Now imaging apples baked with apple pie spices and vegan brown butter!

There are many apple crumble recipes out there, so what makes this recipe so special?

This apple crumble recipe is enhanced with vegan brown butter, which adds a rich buttery and nutty flavour
Speaking of nuts, this recipe is nut free!
As an easier alternative to apple pie, using apple pie spices is a must! You’ll be able to enjoy the similar flavours.

Have I convinced you yet? Read on and learn how to make this popular fall dessert recipe!

vegan brown butter apple crumble with vegan ice cream.

Ingredients rundown

The brown butter spiced apple filling is made with vegan butter, apple pie spices, maple syrup for sweetness, flour as a thickener, and of course apple slices. The spices include: cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and ginger. The perfect combination of sweetness, nuttiness and spiciness.

The crumble topping is made with rolled oats, all purpose flour, salt, baking powder, brown sugar and non dairy milk.

Ingredients for brown butter apple crumble. — Ingredients for vegan brown butter apple crumble

What is brown butter?

Brown butter is made through a process called the Maillard reaction. In the simplest scientific terms, the reaction is caused by the interaction of an amino acid and a reducing sugar. Depending on the type of amino acid present in the butter, a slightly different flavour and appearance can be produced.

To create this reaction, the butter must be cooked until just past melting point. The fat component will be slightly “toasted”, which will create the naturally nutty taste and appealing aroma.

Learn more about the science behind making brown butter at Science of Cooking.

Steps

Start by making the vegan spiced brown butter. Melt the butter in a saucepan and simmer until the melted butter is slightly brown. This should take about 8-10mins, depending on the type of butter you use. I tried this recipe with two different vegan butter brands, and one took longer to brown than the other.

Once the butter is brown, remove the pan from the stove. The butter will continue to cook itself with the remaining heat inside the pan. Mix in the maple syrup, flour and spices. Be sure to remove any clumps of flour before adding the apple slices.

The method for making the crumble topping is similar to making scones or biscuits. Start by combining all the dry ingredients in a large bowl. The cold butter will then be crumbled into the dry ingredients. You can use a couple of forks, but I find that using your hands is quickest and easiest! Add nondairy milk to bring everything together.

Transfer the pan of apple slices and spiced brown butter into the baking sheet and make sure the apples are evenly distributed. Use your hands to distribute the crumble topping on top, making sure to cover all areas.

Bake your dish of goodness until the crumbling topping is golden brown. You might be tempted to dive in right away, but I would advise that you wait for the apples/brown butter to stop simmering!

FAQ

What kind of apple should I use?

Any type that is crispy, juicy, shiny and sweet. Red or green doesn’t matter.

What kind of vegan butter works best for this recipe?

Use vegan stick butter (for baking) as it has a slightly different composition than spreadable butter!

Can I assemble the apple crumble in advance and bake it the next day?

Definitely. Be sure to cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and store in the fridge until ready to bake. You might need to bake for an addition couple of minutes because the apple crumble will be colder.

Can I use quick oats instead of rolled oats?

Yes you can substitute quick oats for rolled oats!