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Golden-topped Malvern pudding in a ceramic baking dish with apple juice bubbling at the edges, custard jug alongside

Malvern Pudding: Spiced Baked Apples with Crumb Topping

Bramley apples cooked with lemon and cinnamon, layered with a buttery breadcrumb topping, and baked until golden.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: British
Calories: 298
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the apples
  • 900 g Bramley apples peeled, cored, sliced 1 cm thick
  • 1 lemon zest and juice lemon
  • 2 tbsp water
  • 100 g granulated sugar
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon optional
For the crumb topping
  • 150 g fresh white breadcrumbs
  • 75 g unsalted butter melted, for the crumbs
  • 15 g unsalted butter softened, for greasing the dish
  • 30 g brown sugar demerara works too

Method
 

Cook the Apples
  1. Peel, core, and slice the Bramley apples into 1 cm / 0.5-inch pieces.
  2. Put the apples in a 2.8 L / 3-quart saucepan with the lemon juice, lemon zest, water, granulated sugar, and cinnamon. Cook over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples soften but still hold some shape.
Make the Crumb Topping
  1. Melt the 75 g of butter and toss it with the breadcrumbs and brown sugar in a mixing bowl until the crumbs are evenly coated and clump slightly.
Layer and Bake
  1. Heat the oven to 180C / 350F. Grease a 20 cm / 8-inch baking dish with the remaining 15 g of butter.
  2. Spread half the cooked apples in the dish in an even layer. Scatter half the crumb mixture over the top.
  3. Add the remaining apples in a second layer, then top with the rest of the crumb mixture, pressing down lightly so it holds together.
  4. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the top is deep golden brown and the apple juices bubble up at the edges of the dish.
  5. Cool for 5 to 10 minutes before serving warm with custard or cream.

Notes

  • Slice apples evenly so they cook at the same rate
  • Don't skip the lemon juice, it balances the sweetness
  • Press the top crumb layer lightly so it doesn't scatter when sliced
  • Cool slightly before serving so the layers hold together