Equipment Needed
- 9×9 inch baking pan
- Parchment paper
- Mixing bowls
- Pastry cutter or forks (your clean hands work great too!)
- Whisk
- Rubber spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
Step-by-Step Instructions
First, we’ll tackle the base and crumble topping. I line my pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang—this is my biggest tip for easy removal later. In a bowl, I whisk together the 2 cups of flour, 1/2 cup sugar, and salt. Then, I work in the cold, cubed butter with a pastry cutter (or my fingertips) until the mixture looks like coarse, pebbly sand. It should hold together when you pinch it. I firmly press about two-thirds of this mixture into the bottom of the pan to form the crust. To the remaining third, I stir in the rolled oats with a fork—this becomes our crumble topping. I pop the pan and the bowl of topping into the fridge while I prep the apples. This chill time makes a huge difference.
For the apple filling, I toss my diced apples with the 2 tablespoons of flour, 1/4 cup sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla in a separate bowl. The flour is crucial here—it helps absorb the apple juices and prevents a soggy bottom layer. I let this mixture sit for about 10 minutes; you’ll see a lovely syrupy liquid start to form. This is exactly what you want! I learned this the hard way—skipping this maceration step once led to a slightly watery filling. Now, I layer the spiced apples evenly over the chilled crust.
Here comes the fun part: assembly. I take the oat-streusel mixture from the fridge and sprinkle it evenly over the apples, breaking up any large clumps with my fingers. Don’t press it down—just let it sit in a lovely, rustic layer. I then bake it in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for about 45-50 minutes. The key is to wait until the top is a deep golden brown and you can see the apple filling bubbling vigorously around the edges. Your kitchen will smell divine. I then let the pan cool completely on a wire rack. This requires patience, but it’s non-negotiable for clean slices.(See the next page below to continue…)