This is the first time I have EVER made (Swedish) apple crumble. The reason I made it was two-fold. First, I had to make something this past weekend, because it was my birthday (yes, I turned 25, again!). And secondly, my older son asked my husband the other day if his mom (i.e., grandma) ever made yummy desserts like Mamma when he was a kid. My husband replied and said that actually there was one dessert he really used to love and it was his mom’s apple pie. It was apparently the “best” apple pie in the world. “Hmmm”, I thought, “MY mom makes the best apple pie in the world!” 😜
Then I remembered the International World’s Fair that our school in Hong Kong used to organize every year in early Spring. Each country (I think around 48 nations were represented at our school, so quite international) would have a stand and sell something typical from their country. The Swedes would always sell homemade Swedish apple crumble with vanilla sauce, and my mom would always be there and contribute with at least a dozen apple pies every year. It was one of the most popular stands and they would sell out quickly. I also remember that Pia used to LOVE those pies. It’s one of my favorite memories from Hong Kong, because it was so much fun walking around this weekend festival with friends and family and try all these traditional dishes from around the world.
So, I called my mom a few days ago and asked her to send me the recipe. When I received it and read it, I was surprised to see how simple it was to make this heavenly dessert. Now, to make it very typical Swedish, you’re supposed to serve it with vanilla sauce, but I didn’t have any vanilla bean at home and had to settle for vanilla ice cream. However, I am including a vanilla sauce recipe in this post in case you want to be really authentically Swedish when you make this dish.
Oh, and before I end this post, you might want to know which recipe won… My husband is a very diplomatic man and stated that there was a tie. Both recipes were equally wonderful. 😁
Ingredients (2 pies):
• 5-6 Granny Smith apples
• 7 dl (3 cups) quick oats
• 1¾ dl (¾ cup) white, granulated sugar
• 230 g (8 oz.) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 pinch of salt
Method:
1. Peel, core and slice the apples (instead of slicing, you can also cut them into 1.5 cm (3/5”) cubes).
2. Mix the oats with sugar, soft butter and salt.
3. Place the apple slices (or cubes) in two round baking dishes (each approx. 23cm/9” in diameter).
4. Cover the apples with the oats mix.
5. Bake for about 25-30 minutes in a 175ºC oven on the convection setting until golden brown.
6. Remove, and cover loosely with tin foil to keep warm and let stand for 10 minutes before serving.
7. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or do it the Swedish way and serve with vanilla sauce (see recipe below).
Enjoy, Helena
Vanilla Sauce (Crème Anglaise):
Ingredients:
• 1 vanilla bean, split
• 2 dl whipping cream
• 2 dl whole milk
• 1 dl white, granulated sugar
• 4 egg yolks
Method:
1. Combine the milk and cream in a saucepan. Scrape in seeds from the split vanilla bean, add bean as well. Bring the mixture to simmer. Remove from heat.
2. Whisk egg yolks and sugar in a bowl. Add a bit of the milk/cream mix and whisk some more.
3. Add the egg/sugar mixture into the saucepan with the milk and cream. Stir over low heat until the custard thickens (don’t let it boil!). Let it cool in the fridge.
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