Best Apple Crumble With Calvados And Créme Fraîche Ice Cream Recipes

Ingredients

For the apple filling:

• 6-7 medium-sized apples
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp calvados
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

For the crumble topping:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter

For the créme fraîche ice cream:

• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup whole milk
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup créme fraîche
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Preparation Instructions

For the apple filling:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Peel, core, and slice the apples and transfer them to a large bowl.
3. Add sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice to the bowl and mix well with sliced apples.
4. Drizzle calvados over the apple mixture and mix well.
5. Add flour to the bowl and mix until the flour is evenly distributed.
6. Transfer the apple mixture to a baking dish and spread it evenly.

For the crumble topping:

1. In a separate bowl, mix the flour, sugar, rolled oats, and cinnamon until well combined.
2. Cut the butter into small pieces and add them to the bowl.
3. Using your fingers, rub the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
4. Sprinkle the crumble mixture over the apple filling in the baking dish, making sure to cover it completely.

For the créme fraîche ice cream:

1. In a medium-sized saucepan, heat the heavy cream, whole milk, and sugar over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
2. Once the sugar has dissolved, remove the saucepan from heat and let the mixture cool to room temperature.
3. Once cooled, add créme fraîche and vanilla extract to the mixture and whisk until well combined.
4. Transfer the mixture to an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer's instructions until it reaches a soft-serve consistency.
5. Transfer the ice cream to a freezer-safe container and freeze for at least 2 hours before serving.

Serving

Conclusion

Apple crumble with calvados and crème fraîche ice cream is a classic dessert loved by many. The combination of sweet and tangy apples with a crunchy crumble topping, enriched with the flavour of calvados and served with a smooth and creamy crème fraîche ice cream is a delightful treat for any occasion. In this article, we provide valuable tips to make the perfect apple crumble with calvados and crème fraîche ice cream, sharing secrets to ensure that every bite is a flavourful experience.

Choosing the right apples

The key to making a good apple crumble is to choose the right apples. Apples that are too tart will result in a sour dessert while overly sweet apples will make the dessert excessively sweet. Granny Smith apples are the preferred choice as they are tart and work well with the sweetness of the sugar and calvados. However, you can also combine Granny Smith apples with other varieties such as Honeycrisp or Pink Lady to add another layer of flavour to the dessert.

Prepping the apples

After selecting the apples, the next step is to prep them. Peel and core the apples then slice them into even pieces. This ensures that the apples cook evenly and prevents unevenly cooked pieces from making the crumble soggy.

The perfect crumble topping

The crumble topping is the soul of this dessert. A good crumble topping should be crunchy, buttery and not overly sweet. A simple yet effective crumble topping is a combination of flour, sugar, and butter. The proportion ratio is up to the cook's preference, but the recommended ratio is three parts flour, two parts butter and one part sugar. This guarantees that the crumble remains crispy and not too sweet.

Add crunchy nuts

If you love texture in your crumble, consider adding crushed nuts to the topping mixture. Walnuts, almonds, or pecans are a perfect addition to the crumble as they add an earthy flavour and crunchiness. Toasting the nuts before adding them to the mixture also intensifies their flavour.

Adding spices to the crumble topping

Spices add a warm and comforting aroma to the crumble topping. A sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg adds depth and warmth to the dessert. Additionally, a pinch of ginger, allspice or cardamom can be added to enhance the flavour further. Adding finely chopped crystallised ginger adds a burst of ginger flavour and a chewy texture.

Stir in some calvados

Calvados is a type of apple brandy from Normandy, France. It is made from apples and has a smooth and complex flavour that adds a new depth to the dish. Adding a tablespoon or two of calvados to the apple mixture adds a subtle boozy flavour and balances the sweetness of the apples. It also enhances the spiced flavours added to the crumble topping.

Stir in caramel sauce

Caramel sauce can also be added to the apple mixture, together with the calvados. This enriches the apple mixture with a caramel flavour and adds another layer of sweetness. Store-bought or homemade caramel sauce works well with this recipe. If you're making your caramel sauce, ensure that you use good quality ingredients such as cane sugar, butter, double cream and sea salt.

Baking the crumble

The final stage of this dessert is baking the crumble. Preheat your oven to 180°C. Place the apple mixture into a baking dish and cover with the crumble topping. Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the crumble is golden brown and the apples are tender. Allow the crumble to cool for 10 minutes before serving with crème fraîche ice cream.

Baking tips

• Use a shallow dish to ensure that the crumble cooks evenly
• Place the dish on the middle rack of the oven to avoid burning the top or bottom of the crumble
• Baking time may vary depending on the oven. It is essential to check the crumble after 30 minutes and continue baking if necessary

Crème fraîche ice cream

The crème fraîche ice cream is a perfect complement to the apple crumble. The tanginess of the crème fraîche balances out the sweetness of the apple crumble, leading to a harmonious dessert. Making crème fraîche ice cream is relatively easy, and you only need four ingredients- crème fraîche, double cream, honey and vanilla extract.

Mix the ingredients

Whisk crème fraîche, double cream, honey and vanilla extract together in a bowl until well combined. Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer's instructions. If an ice cream maker is not available, pour the mixture into a freeze-safe container and place it in the freezer. Stir every hour, breaking up any ice chunks until it reaches the desired consistency.

Adding extra flavour to the ice cream

If you fancy some extra flavour in your ice cream, you may add a sprinkle of cinnamon, ginger or nutmeg to the mixture. A dash of calvados or caramel sauce can also be added to the mixture. Ensure that the additional flavours complement the apple crumble and do not overpower it.

Conclusion

Creating a perfect apple crumble with calvados and crème fraîche ice cream is straightforward if you follow our expert tips. Remember to choose the right apples to ensure a balanced, not too sweet, and not too tart dessert. The crumble topping should be crunchy, buttery and flavoured with spices or nuts for an extra texture. Adding calvados to the apple mixture and serving it with a crème fraîche ice cream provides a boozy note and balances the tanginess and sweetness of the dessert.