Homemade Apple Crisp

As the leaves begin to change and the air turns crisp, there’s nothing quite like the warm, comforting aroma of a homemade apple crisp baking in the oven. This classic dessert combines tender, juicy apples with a buttery, crunchy topping, making it the perfect treat for any fall gathering. Whether you’re enjoying it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream, apple crisp is sure to bring a smile to your face and warmth to your heart.

The beauty of apple pie crisp lies in its simplicity and versatility. Unlike traditional apple pie, which requires a carefully rolled crust, apple pie crisp is much more forgiving and easy to assemble. The combination of tender, spiced apples and a crunchy, buttery topping creates a delightful contrast in textures that is simply irresistible. Whether you’re using tart Granny Smith apples or a mix of your favorite varieties, the result is always a comforting, homey dessert that brings a sense of nostalgia with every bite. Plus, the aroma that fills your kitchen as it bakes is enough to make anyone’s mouth water. 

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Crisp Tips and Tricks

Tip 1: Choose the right apples and use a mix of apples in your crisp. Here are some of my favorite varieties that work wonderfully in this dessert:

1. Granny Smith:
   • These tart apples hold their shape well during baking and provide a nice contrast to the sweet, buttery topping. Their firm texture ensures that the apple slices remain distinct and don’t turn mushy.
2. Honeycrisp:
   • Known for their crisp texture and balanced sweetness, Honeycrisp apples add a delightful crunch and a burst of juicy flavor to your apple crisp. They also hold up well when baked.
3. Braeburn:
   • Braeburn apples have a sweet-tart flavor and a firm texture that makes them perfect for baking. They add a complex, slightly spiced flavor to the apple crisp.
4. Fuji:
   • Fuji apples are very sweet and juicy, which can add a lovely sweetness to your apple crisp. They tend to be a bit softer, so mixing them with firmer varieties like Granny Smith can create a nice balance.
5. Golden Delicious:
   • These apples are sweet and mellow, with a tender texture that works well in apple crisp. They pair nicely with more tart varieties to create a well-rounded flavor profile.
6. Jonagold:
   • A cross between Jonathan and Golden Delicious apples, Jonagold apples are sweet with a hint of tartness. They have a firm texture that holds up well in baking.

Using a mix of these apples can give your apple crisp a more complex and interesting flavor. The combination of sweet and tart apples, along with their varying textures, makes for a truly delicious dessert. 

Tip 2: Peeling and Slicing- Peel the apples for a smoother texture. Slice your apples evenly and equally to ensure they all apple slices will cook evenly. I like to slice my apples about a quarter of an inch thick.

Tip 3: Prevent Browning- Toss your apple slices with a bit of lemon juice to prevent them from browning and keep some of the apple coloring allowing more brightness to glam up your flavorful crisp.

Tip 4: Perfect Toppings- If you prefer a crunchy topping, you can opt for a mix of oats, flour, brown sugar, and cold butter. Slice up your butter and mix into your dry ingredients until the mixture resembles a granola type consistency. Another great option for a topping is ice cream, you can always choose your favorite vanilla option or if you want something a bit different, butter pecan ice cream is also a very tasty option.

Tip 5: Baking- Spread the apples evenly throughout the baking dish and sprinkle the topping uniformly to ensure every bite gets the perfect balanced combination of flavors.

Tip 6: Serving- Let your crisp cool slightly before serving. This will allow the juices to thicken up a bit.

Tip 7: Storage- Store the leftovers in the fridge and reheat in the oven to refresh the crisp topping. If you reheat in the microwave your topping will be soggy.

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Recipe time!

Ingredients:

For the Filling:

• 6 cups apples, peeled, cored, and sliced (Granny Smith and Honeycrisp work well)
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup caramel sauce

For the Topping:

• 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Filling:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and vanilla extract. Toss until the apples are evenly coated.
• Pour the caramel sauce over the apple mixture and stir gently to combine.
• Transfer the apple mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.

2. Make the Topping:

• In a medium bowl, combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
• Add the cold butter pieces and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to mix until the topping resembles coarse crumbs.

3. Assemble and Bake:

• Sprinkle the topping evenly over the apple mixture.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender and bubbly.

4. Serve:

• Let the apple crisp cool slightly before serving. Drizzle with additional caramel sauce if desired.
• Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.