If you are looking for a delicious low-effort dessert to make, this easy Spiced Apple Crisp is it! It’s a classic dessert that brings out the best of fall flavors, with sweet baked apples and a buttery, crunchy topping. Plus, it can be made in one baking dish and is perfect for enjoying throughout the week!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
This classic Apple Crisp recipe is a true comfort dessert that people love for its simplicity, warmth, and satisfying flavors. With tender, spiced apples and a buttery, crunchy oat topping, the familiar flavors of cinnamon and nutmeg give it a cozy, nostalgic feel. The soft, juicy apples under the crisp, crumbly topping create a delightful contrast. Every bite has a mix of tender fruit and golden, crunchy oats; a combination that’s satisfying and keeps people coming back for more!
Apple Crisp is low-fuss and can be prepared in one baking dish, so it’s perfect for any level of baker. Unlike pie, there’s no rolling or worrying about crusts, making it an accessible recipe with great results.
Equipment Needed
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Apple Peeler
- Mixing Bowls
- 8×8 Baking Pan or Dish, or Equivalent Size
- Spatula
- Pastry Cutter (optional)
Apple Crisp Filling Ingredients
- Apples: The star of the dish, apples provide a natural sweetness and texture. Varieties like Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or a mix hold their shape during baking and offer a balance of sweet and tart flavors that keep the filling from being overly sugary.
- Granulated Sugar: Used to sweeten the apples and add a little moisture to the filling.
- Brown Sugar: adds a deeper, caramel-like flavor due to its molasses content.
- Ground Cinnamon: A warm spice that enhances the natural flavors of the apples and adds an inviting, cozy aroma that’s unmistakably “fall.”
- Ground Nutmeg: Brings depth to the dessert without overpowering the natural sweetness of the apples.
- Vanilla Extract: Vanilla adds a subtle layer of sweetness and warmth, enhancing the apple flavor and balancing the spices. It’s a small addition that makes a big difference in rounding out the flavor profile.
- Lemon Juice: A touch of acidity from lemon juice keeps the apples from browning too quickly and brightens the flavors. It also provides a slight contrast to the sweetness, making the overall flavor more complex.
See recipe card for quantities.
Crisp Crust Ingredients:
- Old-Fashioned Oats: Oats give the topping a hearty, satisfying crunch and help create the “crisp” texture. Unlike quick oats, old-fashioned oats hold their shape and add a rustic appeal that pairs well with the soft apples.
- All-Purpose Flour: Flour acts as a binding agent for the topping, helping it hold together as it bakes. It also helps to absorb some of the apple juices, preventing the dessert from becoming soggy.
- Brown Sugar: Brown sugar in the topping caramelizes during baking, giving the crisp a rich, golden color and a deeper sweetness. The molasses in brown sugar also adds chewiness and a subtle richness to the topping.
- Salt: A pinch of salt balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors in both the filling and topping. It keeps the crisp from tasting flat and brings out the natural sweetness of the apples.
- Ground Cinnamon: Adding a bit more cinnamon in the topping brings a unified, warming flavor that ties the dessert together. It adds an extra layer of coziness to the crisp topping.
- Unsalted Butter: Cold butter is essential for creating the crisp texture. When mixed with the oats, flour, and sugar, it forms small clumps that bake into crunchy, golden bites. Cold butter ensures the topping doesn’t melt into the filling, but rather stays crumbly and crisp on top.
Instructions
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- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare the Filling: In a large mixing bowl, combine the apple slices, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, and lemon juice. Toss until the apples are well-coated.
- Transfer to a Baking Dish: Pour the apple mixture into an 8×8-inch baking dish or a similar-sized baking dish, spreading it evenly.
- Make the Topping: In a separate bowl, combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon. Add the cold butter cubes, then use your fingers or a pastry cutter to mix until the topping resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add the Topping: Sprinkle the topping evenly over the apple mixture, covering as much as possible.
- Bake: Bake for 40–45 minutes, until the apples are bubbly, and the topping is golden brown.
- Serve and Enjoy: Let it cool slightly, then serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a classic pairing.
Tips & Tricks
Here are some tips and tricks to elevate your Apple Crisp, bringing out the best flavors and textures:
- Choose the Right Apples: For a balanced flavor, use a mix of sweet and tart apples like Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Fuji. These varieties hold their shape well when baked, resulting in a firm but tender filling rather than a mushy one.
- Slice Apples Evenly: Aim for uniform slices about ¼-inch thick. This ensures the apples cook evenly, with no pieces under- or overcooked. If they’re too thin, they’ll break down too much; too thick, and they might not fully soften.
- Use Cold Butter for the Topping: Cold butter is essential for creating a crumbly, crispy topping. Cut it into small pieces and keep it cold until you’re ready to mix it with the dry ingredients. This helps the butter form small, solid pockets in the topping that crisp up beautifully during baking.
- Don’t Over Mix the Topping: When mixing the topping, stop as soon as it reaches a crumbly consistency. Over mixing will soften the oats and flour, leading to a denser, less crisp topping. You want some pea-sized lumps of butter to ensure the best texture.
Variations
- Add Texture with Nuts or Coconut: For a twist, try adding chopped pecans, walnuts, or even shredded coconut to the topping. This adds a new layer of flavor and extra crunch, making each bite more interesting.
- Spice It Up: Besides cinnamon and nutmeg, you can add a pinch of ground ginger or allspice for a more complex spice profile. Just a little goes a long way, and it gives the crisp a gourmet touch.
- Serve with Ice Cream or Whipped Cream: The warm crisp with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream creates a perfect contrast. The cold creaminess against the warm, spiced apples and crispy topping is irresistible!
How to Store Apple Crisp Leftovers
- Cool Completely First: Allow the crisp to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation from forming inside the container, which could make the topping soggy.
- Refrigerate: Transfer the apple crisp to an airtight container or cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4–5 days.
- Freezing (optional): If you’d like to store it longer, you can freeze the apple crisp. Transfer it to a freezer-safe container. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it, let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
- Reheat Leftovers: If you’re enjoying leftovers, reheat them in the oven rather than the microwave. A quick bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes will help the topping stay crispy.
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Spiced Apple Crisp
This easy Spiced Apple Crisp is a classic dessert that brings out the best of fall flavors, with sweet baked apples and a buttery, crunchy topping. Plus, it can be made in one baking dish and is perfect for enjoying throughout the week!
Servings: 4 servings
Equipment
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Apple Peeler
- Mixing Bowls
- 8×8 Baking Pan or Dish, or Equivalent Size
- Spatula
- Pastry Cutter (optional)
Ingredients
For the Filling
- 4-5 Medium Apples peeled cored, and sliced
- 2 tablespoons Granulated Sugar
- 2 tablespoons Brown Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice
For The Crust
- ¾ cup Old-Fashioned Oats
- ½ cup All-Purpose Flour
- ⅓ cup Brown Sugar
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- ¼ cup ½ stick Cold Unsalted Butter cut into small cubes
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare the Filling: In a large mixing bowl, combine the apple slices, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, and lemon juice. Toss until the apples are well-coated.
- Transfer to a Baking Dish: Pour the apple mixture into an 8×8-inch baking dish or a similar-sized baking dish, spreading it evenly.
- Make the Topping: In a separate bowl, combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon. Add the cold butter cubes, then use your fingers or a pastry cutter to mix until the topping resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add the Topping: Sprinkle the topping evenly over the apple mixture, covering as much as possible.
- Bake: Bake for 40–45 minutes, until the apples are bubbly, and the topping is golden brown.
- Serve and Enjoy: Let it cool slightly, then serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a classic pairing.
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