Awesome Apple Crumble

I don't know how I have gotten to this point in my blog, nor this stage in my life without making a traditional Irish Apple Crumble. This was my first time making an apple crumble because for many years I really didn't like apples, and because I didn't eat them needless to say there was no motivation to make a desserts that contained them. I'm a selfish dessert makers like that, I only want to make things that I can enjoy eating. I was pleasantly surprised as to how simple this crumble was to put together. I made a pie or tart base, which I then filled with the apples and then topped with the crumble. I have made crumbles in the past, such as my simple Raspberry Crumble which I did not make a base for. The apple, married with my all time favourite spice Cinnamon, was incredibly flavoursome and went down a treat with my nearest and dearest. Served with whipped cream of course. On this occasion I made two crumbles, one which I topped with pastry strips, the other with ice sugar and a star motif. 

Awesome Apple Crumble

Makes 2 Crumbles

Ingredients
For the pastry
225g Plain Flour 
125g Butter (chilled)
150ml Cold Water
2 tsps of cinnamon 

For the filling
380g Apples (your preferred variety) (peeled, cored and sliced) 
120g brown sugar
2 tsps of cinnamon

For the Crumble
300g plain flour
175g brown sugar
200g butter

Method
1. Preheat oven to 180C. Sieve the flour into a bowl. Next grate or finely slice the butter into the
    flour, cinnamon and mix using your fingertips.
2. Using a knife, add the water to the mixture, stir and bring together the ingredients 
    together until a soft dough is formed.
3. Turn the dough out onto a floured board and knead gently. Then place in the fridge to chill for 
    15 minutes.
4. Remove the dough from fridge and roll out on a floured surface. Place pastry in prepared 
    greased tins or oven proof pie plate and trim the edges uses a sharp knife. Then fill the 
    pastry case with the chopped apple and sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon.
5. For the crumble place all of the ingredients in a food processor and blitz until the mixture 
    resembles very fine breadcrumbs. Then pack over the apple and pastry base. You can use 
    any pastry cut offs to decorate your crumble (as pictured).
6. Bake for 40 minutes or until golden brown.



E-D's Notes
- I like the apple pieces in my crumble to be cut small, however this is just personal preference.
- When working with pastry the trick is to work quickly and to keep everything cool. Handle the 
  pastry as little as possible. 
- If you do decided to top your crumble with some strips of pastry, make sure to brush them 
  with milk before placing in the oven to get a nice shine.