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A delicious homemade Apple Crisp with a golden brown topping is showcased as the featured image.

Best Apple Crisp Fall Dessert

This apple crisp recipe is the perfect fall dessert, combining sweet and tart apples with a buttery, golden-brown oat topping. It's easy to make and guaranteed to bring smiles with every spoonful. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce for an extra special treat.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 8
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 6-8 medium apples such as Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Gala
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup rolled oats old-fashioned
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Equipment

  • 9x13 inch baking dish
  • Large bowl
  • Medium bowl
  • Pastry blender or fork
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Peeler
  • Knife
  • Cutting board
  • Whisk
  • Oven

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  3. Peel, core, and slice apples to about 1/4 inch thickness. Toss with lemon juice in a large bowl to prevent browning.
  4. Add granulated sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg (if using), and salt to the apples. Toss gently until apples are evenly coated.
  5. Pour apple mixture into the prepared baking dish.
  6. Dot the top of the apple filling with the small pieces of butter.
  7. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, oats, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
  8. Add the cold butter pieces to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry blender or your fingers to cut the butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Work quickly to keep the butter cold.
  9. Sprinkle the crisp topping evenly over the apple filling.
  10. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbly. If the topping starts to brown too quickly, loosely tent the dish with foil for the last 10-15 minutes of baking.
  11. Let the Apple Crisp cool for at least 15-20 minutes before serving.

Notes

Topping is too dry: Add a tablespoon or two of melted butter to the topping mixture and toss to combine. Topping is too wet: Add a tablespoon or two of flour or oats to the topping mixture and toss to combine. Apples are too tart: Use sweeter apples or increase the amount of sugar in the filling. Apples are too soft: Use firmer apples and don't overcook. Store cooled Apple Crisp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until warmed through. Add chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds into the topping for extra crunch and flavor. Add a pinch of ground ginger or cloves to the filling for a warm, spicy twist. Combine apples with other fruits like pears, cranberries, or blueberries. Drizzle warm caramel sauce over the finished Apple Crisp for an extra indulgent treat. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.