Swedish Apple Crumble (Äppelsmulpaj)
This easy Swedish Apple Crumble (Äppelsmulpaj) is a cozy Scandinavian dessert featuring tender, spiced apples topped with a buttery, golden oat crumble. Simple to make with everyday ingredients, this traditional Swedish apple dessert is perfect for fall baking.
Äppelsmulpaj is a beloved home-style dessert is Sweden, particularly in the autumn when apples are in season. The word smulpaj literally means "crumb pie," referring to the buttery, crumbly topping that bakes over the fruit. Swedish apple crumble is often served warm with vaniljsås (vanilla sauce), a classic accompaniment to fruit desserts in Sweden.
For more delicious Scandinavian apple treats, visit this round up of Nordic apple recipes - perfect to bookmark for the fall baking season!
Ingredients
- I used Granny Smith apples here because they bring a nice tartness to the filling and hold their shape well during baking, but any apple or combination of apples will work in this recipe.
- There is a bit of fresh lemon juice in the filling which adds a bit of welcome brightness and acidity.
See recipe card for exact amounts and detailed instructions.
Substitutions and Variations
- Apple Lingonberry Crumble - Add a half cup of fresh or frozen lingonberries to the filling along with the apples for a Nordic twist.
- Apple Almond Crumble - Add up to a half cup of sliced almonds to the crumble mixture.
- Apple Cranberry Crumble - Add a half cup of fresh or frozen cranberries to the filling.
- Pear Crumble - Substitute pears (such as the Bartlett variety) for the apples. Add a ½ teaspoon of ground ginger to the ground cinnamon and cardamom.
How to Make Swedish Apple Crumble (Äppelsmulpaj)
- Transfer to the prepared baking dish.
- Combine the oats, flour, sugar and salt in a medium bowl. Using a fork, stir in the melted butter and vanilla extract until the dry ingredients are evenly coated and the mixture begins to clump together.
- Squeeze small handfuls of the crumble mixture together to form clumps and scatter them evenly over the apples.
- Bake for 40-50 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender and bubbling (the tip of a paring knife should easily slide in and out of the cooked apples when done).
- Serve warm with vanilla sauce, a splash of heavy cream or ice cream.
Expert Tips
Expert Tips- Cut the apples into slices about ⅜ to ½ inch thick. This helps the apples become tender during baking while still holding their shape rather than turning mushy.
- Choose the right baking dish. I prefer an 8-inch square baking dish because it creates a slightly deeper layer of apple filling, but a 9-inch square dish works well, too.
- Keep an eye on the topping. If the crumble is browning too quickly before the apples are tender, loosely tent the dish with aluminum foil for the remainder of the baking time.
Recipe FAQs
Firm, tart apples such as Granny Smith are an excellent choice because they hold their shape during baking and provide a nice contrast to the sweet, buttery topping. Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Pink Lady apples are also good options. You can always do a mix of apple varieties if you like!
Store leftover apple crumble covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm the crumble in a 350°F oven until heated through. The oven is the best option for restoring some of the topping's crisp texture.
Swedish Apple Crumble (äppelsmulpaj) features a buttery, crumbly topping scattered over a layer of sliced apples, sometimes with and sometimes without rolled oats. Swedish Apple Pie, particularly the Scandinavian-American version, often has a more substantial, cake-like topping.
What to Serve with Swedish Apple Crumble (Äppelsmulpaj)
As I mentioned above, Swedish Vanilla Sauce (Vaniljsås) is a classic pairing with Äppelsmulpaj. Vanilla ice cream or this homemade Cardamom Ice Cream would also be delicious. For a Nordic take on whipped cream, give this Whipped Vanilla Skyr Cream a try!
If you wanted to take this crumble to the next level, a drizzle of homemade salted caramel sauce (a high-quality store bought brand would be great, too) would create a memorable autumn dessert.
More Scandinavian Apple Recipes to Try
Looking for more delicious Scandiavian inspired apple desserts? Give these a try:
If you tried this Swedish Apple Crumble (Äppelsmulpaj) recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the comments below. I love hearing from you!
Recipe
Swedish Apple Crumble (Äppelsmulpaj)
Ingredients
- 2 pounds apples peeled, cored, and sliced ⅜ - ½ inch thick
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon cardamom
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- Pinch of salt
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup light brown sugar packed
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted + more butter for greasing the pan
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and butter an 8 or 9 inch square baking dish. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with the sugar, cinnamon, cardamom, lemon juice and pinch of salt together until the apples are evenly coated. Transfer to the prepared dish.
- Combine the oats, flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and salt in a medium bowl. Using a fork, stir in the melted butter and vanilla extract until the dry mixture is evenly coated and the mixture begins to clump together.
- Squeeze small handfuls of the crumble mixture together to form clumps, then scatter them evenly over the apples.
- Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender and bubbling (a paring knife inserted into the cooked apples should easily slide in and out).
- Serve warm with vanilla sauce, ice cream, whipped cream or a splash of heavy cream.
