There is something about autumn that makes camping feel just a little different. The mornings are cooler, the trees begin trading their summer greens for brilliant shades of red, orange, and gold, and that first cup of coffee outside seems to taste better than it did a few weeks earlier.
Perhaps it is the crisp morning air, the quiet campground, or simply knowing that another beautiful day is waiting to unfold.
And then there are the apples!
If you have followed our Cooper Shortcut Camping Journey for any length of time, you probably know we enjoy finding little roadside markets, family farms, and local orchards during our travels. Autumn gives us another reason to take a Cooper Shortcut, especially when there is an apple orchard somewhere along the way.
Freshly pressed apple cider, warm cinnamon sugar donuts, and baskets overflowing with apples. What’s not to love?
I have always believed there are few things better than sitting around a campfire on a cool autumn evening with a cup of apple cider and a cinnamon sugar donut. Well, perhaps there is one thing.
A warm serving of homemade apple crumble topped with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream!
Now we’re talking!
An Apple Orchard and a Little Inspiration
One of the pleasures of traveling without being in a hurry is discovering those places that might never make it onto a carefully planned itinerary.
An orchard tucked along a country road is a perfect example.
We enjoy wandering through different orchards, sampling their homemade goodies, and seeing what varieties of apples are available. Sometimes we leave with a few apples for snacking. Other times, we bring home enough to keep the RV kitchen busy for a day or two.
Of course, there is always the temptation to purchase more than we originally intended.
I suspect we aren’t alone in that department!
There is something satisfying about bringing freshly picked apples back to the campground. You know where they came from, you enjoyed the experience of finding them, and now you get to turn them into something delicious.
For me, that something is apple crumble.
If I could choose only one apple dessert to enjoy throughout the year, apple crumble would be right at the top of my list.
And yes, I know apple pie has a loyal following. Believe me, I am among its most devoted admirers!
My mom made an apple pie that, in my book, was beyond comparison. I can still remember those wonderful pies, with tender slices of apples surrounded by just the right combination of cinnamon, sugar, and spices. But what made Mom’s apple pie truly extraordinary was the crust. Oh, that crust! Golden, flaky, buttery, and every bit as delicious as the filling itself. There was no leaving the crust behind on your plate. Every last bite was something to savor.
I have enjoyed plenty of apple pies over the years, but none have ever quite measured up to Mom’s. Perhaps that is because some recipes carry something that cannot be measured in cups and teaspoons. They carry the memories of the person who made them, the kitchen where they were prepared, and the love that made them special.
I miss Mom, and I certainly miss those apple pies.
Now, having said all that, when it comes to preparing an apple dessert in our RV, apple crumble has one considerable advantage.
No pie crust!
No rolling dough, no worrying about whether the crust will cooperate, and no flour scattered across half the kitchen counter.
And while apple crumble may never replace Mom’s apple pie in my heart, it certainly has earned a place at our campground table.
Apple Crumble or Apple Crisp?
Before we get into the recipe, there is one little distinction worth mentioning.
Apple crumble and apple crisp are close relatives, and depending on where you grew up, you may have heard the names used interchangeably.
Traditionally, apple crisp often includes rolled oats in its topping, while apple crumble relies on a combination of flour, butter, and sugar to create those delicious golden crumbs.
Both are wonderful desserts, but today’s recipe is a classic apple crumble.
The apples become tender and fragrant as they bake with cinnamon and brown sugar. Meanwhile, the buttery topping develops a slightly crisp exterior with soft, sweet crumbs underneath.
And that aroma!
There is something about cinnamon and baking apples that makes an RV feel especially welcoming.
Imagine returning from an afternoon exploring the countryside, stepping inside, and being greeted by the smell of homemade apple crumble.
I cannot think of a much better welcome.
Choosing the Right Apples
Not every apple behaves the same way when it goes into the oven.
Some varieties soften quickly, while others hold their shape. For apple crumble, I prefer a sweet-tart baking apple that becomes tender without turning completely into applesauce.
Granny Smith apples are an excellent choice because their tartness balances the sweetness of the brown sugar. Honeycrisp and Pink Lady apples are also wonderful options.
And there is nothing wrong with mixing varieties.
In fact, using a combination of tart and sweet apples can make the filling even more interesting.
When we visit an orchard, I enjoy asking which apples the growers recommend for baking. They know their fruit, and their suggestions are often worth following.
Another advantage of this recipe is that you don’t need a bushel of apples. Four or five large apples will generally provide the two pounds needed.
That is particularly convenient when refrigerator and counter space are limited.
Grandma Cooper’s Campground Cook Apple Crumble
Prep time: Approximately 15–20 minutes | Bake time: 40–45 minutes | Servings: 6–8
This is the kind of dessert that looks and tastes as though you spent considerably more time preparing it than you actually did.
The ingredients are familiar, the preparation is straightforward, and most of what you need may already be tucked away in your RV pantry.
Ingredients
For the Crumble Topping
- 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into 8 pieces, plus additional butter for the baking dish
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
For the Apple Filling
- 2 pounds sweet-tart baking apples (approximately 4–5 large Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Pink Lady apples)
- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
For Serving
– Vanilla ice cream, optional but highly recommended!
Preparing the Apple Crumble
Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Dish
Preheat your oven to 375°F.
Lightly butter an 8-by-8-inch baking dish or a 2- to 2½-quart baking dish.
If you are preparing this in your RV, make sure your baking dish fits comfortably inside the oven before you begin. RV ovens are not always as accommodating as the ones we have at home.
Step 2: Melt the Butter
Place the eight pieces of unsalted butter into a microwave-safe bowl.
Microwave for approximately 40–50 seconds, or until just melted. You can also melt the butter in a small saucepan on the stovetop.
Allow it to cool for about five minutes.
Step 3: Make the Crumble Topping
Add the flour, brown sugar, vanilla extract, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt to the melted butter.
Using a fork, stir until everything is evenly moistened and small and large crumbs begin forming.
The mixture will be thick and slightly pasty. Don’t worry; that is exactly what you want.
Place the topping in the refrigerator for at least ten minutes. This gives the butter time to firm up and helps create those wonderful crumbly pieces when baked.
Step 4: Prepare the Apples
Peel, core, and slice the apples into pieces approximately ¼-inch thick.
Place them in a large mixing bowl and add the brown sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, cinnamon, and salt.
Gently toss until the apples are evenly coated.
The cornstarch helps thicken the natural juices released during baking, creating a filling that is tender and flavorful without becoming excessively watery.
Step 5: Assemble the Crumble
Spread the apple mixture evenly across the bottom of your prepared baking dish.
Remove the crumble topping from the refrigerator and use your fingers to break it into pieces.
Scatter the topping evenly over the apples.
Don’t worry about making everything perfectly uniform. Those different-sized crumbs are part of what makes this dessert so enjoyable.
Step 6: Bake Until Golden Brown
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40–45 minutes.
You are looking for bubbling apple juices around the edges and a golden-brown topping that feels firm to the touch.
Check the crumble after approximately 30 minutes. If the topping is browning too quickly, loosely cover it with aluminum foil for the remaining baking time.
Allow the crumble to rest for at least 15 minutes before serving.
This little bit of patience gives the filling time to thicken.
Then spoon a generous helping into a bowl, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and enjoy!
Warm apple crumble served in individual portions.
A scoop of vanilla ice cream makes a wonderful finishing touch.
A Few Lessons From Our RV Kitchen
One thing we have learned over the years is that cooking in an RV requires a little flexibility.
Our fifth-wheel has a kitchen that serves us well, but even with the conveniences of home, there are differences.
Oven temperatures can vary, counter space disappears quickly, and washing a mountain of dishes is not exactly how I want to spend a beautiful autumn afternoon.
That is another reason I enjoy apple crumble.
You need a mixing bowl, a fork, a baking dish, and a few basic utensils. Cleanup is relatively simple, and the reward is certainly worth the effort.
If your RV oven tends to heat unevenly, you may need to rotate the baking dish partway through cooking. A small oven thermometer is particularly useful because the temperature on the dial doesn’t always tell the whole story.
We have also learned that a baking dish placed too close to the bottom heating element can brown faster than expected. Following your oven manufacturer’s guidance for rack placement and keeping an eye on the topping will help.
And here’s something else worth considering.
You can prepare the crumble topping at home before leaving on your camping trip.
It freezes beautifully for up to three months. Break it into smaller pieces before freezing, store it in a freezer-safe container, and bring it along when you travel.
There is no need to thaw it before adding it to the apples.
That means you can spend less time preparing dessert and more time enjoying the campground.
When the Pantry Doesn’t Have Everything
I don’t know about you, but there have been occasions when I was halfway through preparing something before discovering that one ingredient was missing.
That can be a minor inconvenience at home.
At a campground several miles from the nearest grocery store, it becomes an opportunity to improvise.
Fortunately, apple crumble is forgiving.
If you don’t have cinnamon, apple pie spice works beautifully. Nutmeg, ginger, allspice, or even a little cardamom can add warmth to the filling.
Vanilla bean paste can replace vanilla extract in equal amounts, and if you don’t have either, the topping will still be delicious.
No lemon juice? You can leave it out.
If you discover that the cornstarch container is empty, all-purpose flour or arrowroot powder can help thicken the filling, although the amounts may need adjusting.
And while light brown sugar gives this recipe a lovely caramel flavor, dark brown sugar or granulated sugar can be used when necessary.
Sometimes the best campground cooking comes from making do with what we already have.
Grandma Cooper certainly understood that lesson.
Around the Campfire
There are a few questions worth answering before you head into the kitchen.
Can I make apple crumble ahead of time?
Absolutely. Besides freezing the topping, you can bake the entire dessert ahead of time and reheat it when you’re ready to serve. Personally, I prefer it freshly baked, but leftovers are certainly not a disappointment.
What should I do with leftovers?
Cover the baking dish or transfer the remaining crumble to an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to three days.
You can enjoy it cold or reheat it in a 300°F oven for approximately 20 minutes, until warmed through.
And if you want to know a little secret, leftover apple crumble is wonderful spooned over oatmeal or yogurt the next morning.
Who says dessert cannot make an appearance at breakfast?
Can I prepare this over a campfire?
You can adapt apple crumble for Dutch oven cooking using a suitable cast-iron Dutch oven and controlled charcoal heat.
However, the baking temperature and cooking time will require adjustment. Campfire cooking takes practice, especially when trying to brown a buttery topping without scorching the apples underneath.
For this particular recipe, I prefer the predictable heat of the RV oven.
Do I have to peel the apples?
No, although I recommend it for this version.
Leaving the skins on adds texture, and some people enjoy that. Peeling produces a softer, more traditional apple filling.
Either way, the flavor will be wonderful.
Final Thoughts
Autumn has a way of reminding us to slow down.
Perhaps it is the changing leaves, the cooler evenings, or the realization that another camping season is moving along faster than we expected.
For Vicky and me, some of the most enjoyable moments of our travels have very little to do with how many miles we cover or how many attractions we visit.
Sometimes it is discovering a little orchard along a country road.
Sometimes it is sitting outside with our morning coffee, watching the campground wake up.
And sometimes it is something as simple as sharing a warm dessert after a day spent enjoying the beauty of autumn.
I suppose that is what makes apple crumble such a fitting campground dessert.
It doesn’t require anything fancy. Just a few good apples, some familiar ingredients, and a little time.
The result is something warm, comforting, and meant to be shared.
And when that scoop of vanilla ice cream begins melting into the cinnamon-spiced apples and buttery crumble, I suspect you’ll understand why this dessert ranks so highly on my list.
So the next time your Cooper Shortcut takes you past an apple orchard, consider stopping.
Pick up a few apples, perhaps a jug of cider and a couple of cinnamon sugar donuts, and bring a little taste of autumn back to your campground.
After all, some of the sweetest memories we make along the journey begin with the simplest things.
We’re not trying to get there first. We’re trying to enjoy getting there.
Enjoy eatin’,
The Cooper Shortcut Camping Journey Trio 😊 PlusOne!
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