APPLES ARE synonymous with Irish folklore and tradition.
Any Irish foodie worth their salt knows, when it comes to sweet, fruit-based dessert treats, you don’t have to go far from home for inspiration.
Apple pies are always a delight but there’s something extra special about a good apple crumble and that unique combination of crunch and gooey goodness.
This particular apple crumble comes from Irish food expert and chef Margaret Johnson [via Kerrygold] and is a joy to describe and behold.
“This apple crumble, sometimes called ‘apple crunch’ when the apples are first cooked to soften them, is flavoured with a respectable dose of Irish whiskey and topped with a buttery oatmeal crumble,” she said.
“Serve it with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or Irish Whiskey Cream Sauce”. Sounds good to us – let’s dig in.
What you'll need:
For the filling
- 1/3 cup water
- 2 tablespoons Irish whiskey
- 1/2 cup golden raisins
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4-5 large Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
For the crumble
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (packed) light brown sugar
- 6 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 cup quick-cooking (not instant) Irish oatmeal
Irish Whiskey Cream Sauce
- 1 cup heavy (whipping) cream
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons Irish whiskey
How to make it:
The Filling
- Mix the water and whiskey together in a small saucepan and bring to boil over a medium heat.
- Stir in the raisins and vanilla, remove from the head and leave tto stand for an hour or until the raisins have absorbed most of the liquid.
- Preheat the oven to 190°c. Butter an 8- or 9-inch square glass baking dish.
- In a large bowl, toss the apples with the sugar, cinnamon, and ginger. Stir in the raisins and cooking liquid and arrange in the prepared pan.
The Crumble
- Combine the flour, brown sugar and butter in a food processor. Pulse 4-5 times to form coarse crumbs.
- Stir in the oats. Sprinkle the mixture over the fruit and bake for about 40 minutes, or until the topping is golden and the apples are tender.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
The Irish Whiskey Cream Sauce
- Beat the cream in a deep bowl with an electric mixer on high until soft peaks form.
- Dissolve the honey in the whiskey.
- Fold the honey mixture into the whipped cream and spoon over the crumble.