Old-Fashioned Apple Crisp: Cozy Fall Comfort Dessert

Indulge in classic comfort with this easy apple crisp recipe. Bursting with sliced apples and topped with a crispy, cinnamon oat crumble, this nostalgic dessert comes together in just 10 minutes of prep and bakes to warm, fruity perfection in under an hour.

Best Apples for Apple Crisp: For apple crisp, use baking apples that retain their shape while cooking. Ideal choices include Granny Smith, Braeburn, Honeycrisp, or Fuji. These tart, firm apples soften but remain textured, avoiding mushiness. Slice apples thinly, about 1/4 inch, for best results. Avoid soft, sweet varieties like Red Delicious.

Quick Oats vs. Old-Fashioned Oats: Both quick oats and old-fashioned oats work well for the topping. Quick oats are finer and create a crunchier topping, while old-fashioned oats are larger and offer a heartier texture. Avoid instant oats, as they’re too finely ground.

Achieving the Perfect Crisp Topping: For a light, crunchy topping, avoid overworking the oat mixture and keep the butter cold. Cut chilled butter cubes into dry ingredients quickly using a pastry blender or forks. Keep the topping loose and crumbly, and avoid pressing it down. These steps ensure a fabulous, crispy texture.

Serving Suggestions: Warm apple crisp is delightful on its own but pairs beautifully with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. For a fall twist, try it with maple or butter pecan ice cream. Add caramel sauce or bourbon hard sauce for extra indulgence, or enjoy with vanilla yogurt or custard for a tasty breakfast treat.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4 cups sliced apples (about 2 pounds), preferably Granny Smith or Honeycrisp, peeled if desired and sliced thinly
• 1 cup quick-cooking oats
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 10 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cubed

For the Apple Mixture:

• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 6 tablespoons water
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Pinch of salt
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease an 8-inch square baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
2. In a large bowl, combine oats, flour, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, and baking powder. Cut in cold butter with a pastry blender or forks until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside.
3. In another bowl, toss apple slices with melted butter, water, lemon juice, vanilla, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and flour until evenly coated.
4. Transfer the apple mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. Top with the oat crumble mixture.
5. Bake for 35-40 minutes, until the topping is lightly browned and apples are bubbling around the edges.
6. Let cool for at least 10 minutes before serving. Top with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream if desired.

Tips for the Best Apple Crisp:

• Use firm, sweet apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for best results.
• Toss apples with lemon juice to prevent browning.
• Cut butter into flour quickly to keep it cold, ensuring a crumbly topping.
• Keep the crumble mixture light and fluffy; avoid packing it down.
• If the topping browns too quickly, loosely cover with foil and remove during the last 5-10 minutes for more browning.
• Let the crisp rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow the filling to set. Enjoy warm with ice cream!