There’s something undeniably comforting about the aroma of cinnamon and baked apples filling the kitchen. It evokes memories of cozy autumn evenings, family gatherings, and pure, simple happiness. And nothing embodies that feeling quite like a warm, bubbling apple crisp. Forget fussy pies – this is the dessert for everyone. It’s rustic, forgiving, and unbelievably delicious. This isn’t just a recipe for apple crisp; it’s *the* recipe you’ll reach for year after year, a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that requires minimal effort for maximum reward.
Why You’ll Love This Apple Crisp
This apple crisp recipe stands out for a few key reasons. First, the filling isn’t overly sweet. We let the natural tartness of the apples shine through, balanced with just enough sugar and spice. Second, the topping is perfectly textured – buttery, crumbly, and delightfully crunchy. It’s not too dense, not too sandy, just *right*. Finally, it’s incredibly adaptable! Feel free to swap out apple varieties, add different spices, or even incorporate nuts into the topping. It’s a blank canvas for your baking creativity.
- Easy to Make: Minimal prep time and simple instructions.
- Comforting Flavor: Classic apple and cinnamon combination.
- Versatile: Easily customizable with different apples and spices.
- Crowd-Pleasing: A guaranteed hit at any gathering.
Ingredients & Equipment
Ingredients:
- 6-8 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Equipment:
- 9×13 inch baking dish
- Large mixing bowl
- Small mixing bowl
- Apple peeler (optional, but helpful)
- Pastry blender or fork (for cutting in butter)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Apples: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Peel, core, and slice the apples. Place them in a large mixing bowl.
- Make the Filling: Add granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice to the apples. Toss to coat evenly.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the apple mixture into the 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Make the Topping: In a separate bowl, combine the cold butter, oats, brown sugar, 1/2 cup flour, and salt. Use a pastry blender or fork to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Assemble & Bake: Sprinkle the topping evenly over the apple mixture. Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
- Cool & Serve: Let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy warm, optionally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream!
Pro Tips
- Apple Variety: Using a mix of apples (like tart Granny Smith and sweet Honeycrisp) creates a more complex and flavorful filling.
- Cold Butter is Key: Using very cold butter in the topping is crucial for achieving that perfect crumbly texture. You can even freeze the butter for 10-15 minutes before using it.
- Don’t Overmix the Topping: Overmixing will result in a tough topping. Stop mixing when the butter is incorporated and the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Prevent Burning: If the topping starts to brown too quickly, tent the baking dish with aluminum foil for the last 10-15 minutes of baking.
- Spice it Up: Experiment with different spices! A pinch of cardamom or ginger can add a lovely warmth to the filling.
Storing Leftovers
Leftover apple crisp can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, you can microwave individual portions for 30-60 seconds, or bake the entire crisp in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes. The topping may lose some of its crispness upon reheating, but it will still be delicious! You can also freeze apple crisp (baked or unbaked) for up to 2 months. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. If freezing unbaked, add about 10-15 minutes to the baking time.
Print
Apple Crisp
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A warm and comforting apple crisp with a buttery cinnamon topping, perfect for fall and best served with ice cream.
Ingredients
6 medium apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
2 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
1/2 tsp salt
Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, for serving (optional)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. In a large bowl, toss apple slices with lemon juice, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and flour.
3. Spread apple mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish.
4. In another bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, and salt.
5. Cut in the cold butter with a pastry cutter or fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
6. Sprinkle crumb mixture evenly over the apples.
7. Bake for 40–45 minutes, until apples are tender and topping is golden brown.
8. Cool slightly before serving with ice cream or whipped cream.
Notes
Granny Smith apples are great for tartness, but Honeycrisp or Fuji work for a sweeter crisp.
Add 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts to the topping for extra crunch.
Reheat leftovers in the oven to keep the topping crisp.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 29g
- Sodium: 130mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 47g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg