Description
This easy homemade apple crisp recipe combines tender, spiced apples baked under a crunchy oat and brown sugar topping, served warm with creamy vanilla ice cream and an optional drizzle of caramel sauce. Perfectly balancing sweet and tart flavors, it’s a cozy, comforting dessert that’s simple to make and delightful for any occasion.
Ingredients
For the Filling:
- 6 medium apples (mix of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced (about 900 g total)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (50 g)
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar (50 g)
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon (2 g)
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg (1 g)
- 1/4 tsp ground allspice (0.5 g)
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice (30 ml)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch (8 g)
For the Topping:
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats (100 g)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (65 g)
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed (100 g)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (50 g)
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon (2 g)
- 1/4 tsp salt (1.5 g)
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cold and cubed (115 g)
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional) (60 g)
To Serve:
- Vanilla ice cream
- Caramel sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×9-inch baking dish or similar oven-safe dish to prepare for baking the apple crisp.
- Prepare apple filling: In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples with granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, lemon juice, and cornstarch. Toss thoroughly until the apples are evenly coated with the mixture, ensuring a balanced flavor in every bite.
- Transfer filling: Spread the coated apple mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish to create an even layer for consistent cooking.
- Make topping mix: In a medium bowl, combine oats, all-purpose flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and salt, mixing until well incorporated.
- Add butter: Add the cold, cubed unsalted butter to the topping mixture. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, which will become the crisp topping texture.
- Incorporate nuts: Stir in the chopped pecans or walnuts if using to add extra crunch and flavor to the topping.
- Add topping: Sprinkle the topping evenly over the apple mixture in the baking dish, covering the apples thoroughly for a golden crust.
- Bake: Bake the assembled dish in the preheated oven for 35–40 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender when pierced with a fork, indicating doneness.
- Cool slightly: Remove the dish from the oven and allow it to cool for 5–10 minutes. This rest lets the juices thicken and settle, preventing a soggy texture when serving.
- Serve: Scoop warm apple crisp into bowls and top each serving with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream. Drizzle caramel sauce on top if desired for an extra indulgent touch, and enjoy the contrast of warm and cold textures.
Notes
- Use a mix of tart Granny Smith and sweet Honeycrisp apples for the best flavor balance.
- Lemon juice prevents apples from browning and adds a bright zing.
- Keep butter cold while mixing the topping to achieve a crumbly texture.
- Chopped nuts in the topping are optional but add delicious crunch.
- Allow the apple crisp to cool before serving to let juices settle.
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream and optional caramel sauce for a classic combo.
- Leftovers can be stored covered in the fridge for 3-4 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- For crispier topping on reheating, use the oven instead of the microwave.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
