Phil Vickery's apple crumble

Phil’s making a comfort food classic to cheer us up on the most depressing day of the year!

Apple crumble

Serves: 4

Ingredients

4 large Bramley apples, peeled, cored and cut into medium sized chunks

200g castor sugar

Touch water

Juice 1 large lemon and finely grated zest

200g cold salted butter

400g plain flour

200g castor sugar, roughly

To serve: custard, double cream, clotted cream or vanilla ice cream

Method

• Preheat the oven to 190°C, Gas 5. Place the apples, sugar, water and lemon juice and zest into a saucepan and bring to a simmer. Cook until the apples are half cooked, then remove from the heat.

• Spoon carefully into a 25cm square, 5cm deep baking dish

• Place the cold butter and flour in a food processor. Pulse until the mixture is at fine breadcrumbs, then tip into a bowl.

• Mix in the sugar using a spoon - this ensures that the mixture does not cake up and keeps the crumble nice and loose. Spread evenly over the apples taking care not to pack down, leave nice and domed.

• Bake in the pre heated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until nice and golden. Remove and cool before eating. I serve mine with custard, double cream, clotted cream or vanilla ice cream.