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The Best Apple Crisp Recipe

The Best Apple Crisp Recipe

iamwinfred
This apple crisp combines tender, spiced apples with a buttery, golden oat topping that's perfectly crisp. It's everything you want in a fall dessert without the fuss of making pie crust, delivering all the delicious apple pie flavors in half the time and with way less effort.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings
Calories 320 kcal

Equipment

  • 9x13-inch baking dish or similar-sized casserole dish
  • Large mixing bowl for the apple filling
  • Medium mixing bowl for the topping
  • Vegetable peeler or paring knife
  • Apple corer or sharp knife
  • Cutting board
  • Pastry cutter or fork
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Wooden spoon or spatula

Ingredients
  

For the Apple Filling

  • 6 large baking apples about 2.5 pounds or 1.1 kg, peeled, cored, and sliced (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Golden Delicious work well)
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 16g
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar 50g
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 30ml
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 5ml
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

For the Crisp Topping

  • 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats 90g
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour 95g
  • 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar 165g
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter 113g or 1 stick, cut into small cubes

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick cooking spray.
  • Peel, core, and slice the apples into 1/4 to 1/2-inch thick slices, keeping them uniform for even cooking.
  • In a large bowl, combine sliced apples with flour, granulated sugar, lemon juice, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Toss until evenly coated and spread in the prepared baking dish.
  • In a medium bowl, mix oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add cold butter cubes and use a pastry cutter or fork to work it in until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized butter pieces.
  • Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the apple filling, making sure to distribute it all the way to the edges without packing it down.
  • Bake for 45 to 50 minutes until the topping is golden brown and apples are bubbling around the edges. If the topping browns too quickly, tent loosely with foil.
  • Remove from oven and let cool for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Notes

  • Choose a mix of apple varieties for best flavor - combine tart Granny Smith with sweet Honeycrisp or Golden Delicious.
  • Keep butter cold until ready to use for the crispiest topping. If your kitchen is warm, chill the topping mixture for 15 minutes before adding to apples.
  • Don't skip the lemon juice - it prevents browning and balances the sweetness perfectly.
  • The flour in the filling absorbs excess moisture and prevents a soggy bottom.
  • Topping should be deeply golden brown, not pale, when done. You should see bubbling juices around the edges.
  • Store covered at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days. Reheat at 350°F for 15-20 minutes.
  • Can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
  • For variety, try adding 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts to the topping, or replace 1 cup of apples with fresh cranberries.
  • This can be assembled up to 2 hours ahead and refrigerated before baking.
  • Use old-fashioned rolled oats, not quick oats, for the best texture.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 320kcalCarbohydrates: 52gProtein: 3gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 220mgPotassium: 180mgFiber: 4gSugar: 32gVitamin A: 8IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 3mgIron: 8mg
Keyword apple crisp, apple recipe, easy dessert, fall dessert, oat topping
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