Description
This Old Fashioned Apple Crisp is a classic, comforting dessert featuring tender, spiced apples baked under a crunchy oat and brown sugar topping. With a perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors from Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples, this easy-to-make apple crisp is an ideal treat for fall or any time you crave a warm homemade dessert. Serve it warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for extra indulgence.
Ingredients
Scale
Apple Filling
- 6-7 medium apples (about 5 cups), peeled, cored, and sliced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work well)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thicker filling)
Crumble Topping
- 3/4 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into small cubes
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8-inch (or similar-sized) baking dish with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Prepare apple filling: In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with lemon juice, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and optional cornstarch. Mix until the apples are evenly coated with the sugar and spices to enhance flavor and thicken the filling during baking.
- Make crumble topping: In a separate bowl, combine oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add the cold cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized butter chunks. This creates a crisp, crumbly topping.
- Assemble the crisp: Spread the apple mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Then sprinkle the oat crumble topping evenly over the apples, covering them completely to ensure an even bake and crunchy texture.
- Bake the crisp: Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are bubbling. Check after about 30 minutes; if the topping is browning too quickly, loosely cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent burning while allowing apples to cook through.
- Cool and serve: Let the apple crisp cool for a few minutes before serving. For extra indulgence, top with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce to complement the warm, spiced apples and crunchy topping.
Notes
- Use tart apples like Granny Smith or sweeter varieties like Honeycrisp for the best flavor balance.
- Cornstarch is optional but helps thicken the filling if you prefer less juice.
- Butter should be cold when cutting into the topping mixture to create a crumbly texture.
- Cover the crisp with foil if the topping browns too fast before apples are cooked through.
- Serve warm for the best texture and flavor experience.
