Description
This classic apple crisp recipe combines tender, cinnamon-spiced baked apples with a buttery, oat-studded crisp topping. Baked until golden and bubbling, it’s the perfect comforting dessert served warm, especially delightful with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Apple Filling:
- 6–8 medium apples (2.5 – 3 lbs), such as Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Fuji
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or cornstarch)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves (optional)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
For the Crisp Topping:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, very cold, cut into small cubes
Instructions
- Prepare Oven and Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Prepare Apples: Peel, core, and slice the apples into 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick slices. Place them in a large bowl and drizzle with the fresh lemon juice, tossing well to coat them evenly and prevent browning.
- Mix Apple Filling: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together granulated sugar, light brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and optional cloves. Sprinkle this mixture over the apples and toss gently until all slices are well coated. Scatter the small pieces of unsalted butter over the apple mixture, then pour everything into the prepared baking dish.
- Prepare Crisp Topping (Dry Ingredients): Combine all-purpose flour, rolled oats, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, cinnamon, optional nutmeg, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Whisk these dry ingredients together until well combined.
- Incorporate Butter into Topping: Add the very cold, cubed unsalted butter to the dry topping ingredients. Using a pastry blender or your fingertips, cut the butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Keeping the butter cold is crucial to achieve a crisp topping texture when baked.
- Assemble Crisp: Evenly sprinkle the prepared crisp topping over the apple filling in the baking dish. Avoid pressing down on the topping, so it bakes to a light, crunchy texture.
- Bake: Place the dish in the oven and bake for 45-60 minutes, or until the topping turns golden brown and crisp, and the apple filling is bubbling and tender when pierced with a knife. If the topping browns too quickly, loosely tent the baking dish with aluminum foil during the last 15-20 minutes of baking to prevent burning.
- Cool Before Serving: Remove the apple crisp from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for at least 15-20 minutes. This resting time allows the filling to set and the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Serve: Serve the apple crisp warm. For an indulgent treat, add a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, a dollop of freshly whipped cream, or a drizzle of warm caramel sauce.
- Store and Reheat: Store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, warm individual servings in the microwave for 30-60 seconds, or reheat larger portions in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 15-20 minutes to bring back the crispness of the topping.
Notes
- Use tart apple varieties like Granny Smith along with sweeter ones like Fuji or Honeycrisp for balanced flavor and texture.
- Keeping the butter very cold before mixing into the topping helps create a crumbly, crisp texture.
- Do not press the topping down on the apples to ensure a light, crunchy crust.
- If the topping browns too quickly, tent with foil to prevent burning.
- Apple crisp can be made ahead and refrigerated before baking; increase baking time slightly if baking from cold.
- Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for a classic presentation.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: apple crisp, baked apple dessert, fall dessert, easy apple crisp recipe, cinnamon apple dessert
