Toffee Apple Crumble with Cinnamon Custard

Prep Time 25 mins

Cook Time 40 mins

Total Time 1 hr 5 mins

Cuisine: British

Courses: Dessert

Difficulty: Intermediate

Description

A sweet and smoky finale to the evening, this crumble pays homage to the classic Bonfire Night toffee apple, reimagined as a warm, comforting dessert. Tart apples are baked beneath a golden oat topping, infused with hints of maple and brown sugar, and drizzled with a rich toffee sauce. A pour of velvety cinnamon custard rounds out the dish, blending the familiar flavours of autumn with a luxurious twist. It’s everything you remember about Bonfire Night, just dressed up for the dinner table.

The combination of sticky toffee and baked apple is timeless, nostalgic, indulgent, and irresistibly cosy. The crumble can be made in advance and reheated just before serving, making it the perfect dessert for relaxed entertaining. As your guests tuck in, the scent of caramel and spice will linger in the air like the last curls of smoke from the bonfire outside.

Ingredients

Apple base:

4 medium apples (about 600 g)
1 tbsp vegan butter or coconut oil
2 tbsp light brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp lemon juice
Pinch of salt

Crumble topping:

80 g plain flour
50 g rolled oats
50 g vegan butter or coconut oil
3 tbsp light brown sugar
0 tsp 0.5 cinnamon
Pinch of salt

Toffee sauce:

2 tbsp vegan butter
4 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp maple syrup
3 tbsp vegan cream or coconut cream
Pinch of sea salt

Cinnamon custard:

400 ml unsweetened soy milk
1 tbsp cornflour
1 tbsp caster sugar
0.5 tsp 0.5 vanilla extract
0.5 tsp 0.5 cinnamon

Instructions

1
Preheat the oven to 190°C (fan 170°C). Lightly grease two small ramekins or one small baking dish.
2
Melt the vegan butter in a frying pan, add the sliced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice, and salt, and cook for 5–6 minutes until the apples begin to soften and caramelise slightly. Spoon into the prepared dish.
3
In a bowl, rub together the flour, oats, vegan butter, sugar, cinnamon, and salt until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Scatter evenly over the apples.
4
Bake for 25–30 minutes until the top is golden brown and crisp.
5
While the crumble bakes, make the toffee sauce. Combine vegan butter, brown sugar, and maple syrup in a small saucepan. Heat gently until melted and bubbling. Stir in the vegan cream and salt, and simmer for 2–3 minutes until thickened slightly.
6
For the custard, mix cornflour, sugar, and cinnamon in a small pan. Whisk in a little of the soy milk to form a paste, then add the rest along with the vanilla. Heat gently, whisking constantly, until the custard thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
7
To serve, drizzle the warm crumble with toffee sauce and pour over the cinnamon custard. Finish with a little extra sauce or a few toasted oat crumbs if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 4

Amount Per Serving
Calories 412kcal

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 18.6g29%
Sodium 225mg10%
Total Carbohydrate 58.3g20%
Dietary Fiber 4.7g19%
Sugars 34.9g
Protein 4.8g10%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.