Simple Apple Cinnamon Crisp
Warm apples baked to tender perfection under a golden, buttery oat crumble. This classic apple cinnamon crisp is the ultimate cozy dessert, blending sweet and tart flavors with hints of cinnamon and sugar. Perfect on its own or served with a big scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream for a comforting, homemade treat.
Ingredients
For the Apples:
- 6-8 medium apples I like to use Gala but any baking apple will do
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2-3 tbsp sugar adjust for sweetness
- 1 1/2 tsp lemon juice
For the Crisp Topping:
- 3/4 c rolled oats
- 3/4 c all-purpose flour I've used both whole wheat and unbleached
- 1 c brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- pinch kosher salt
- 1/2 c cold unsalted butter diced into cubes
- 1/2 c cold butter (salted or unsalted) to be placed on top of crisp
Instructions
Prep the Oven and Dish:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Make the Filling:
- In a large bowl, toss sliced apples with cinnamon, sugar, lemon juice. Stir to combine, then move filling to your baking dish.
Prepare the Topping:
- In another bowl, mix oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and cold diced butter. Use your hands or a pastry cutter to mix the topping until it resembles a crumb topping.
Assemble:
- Sprinkle oat topping evenly over the apples. Sporadically place the 1/2 c of diced salted butter on top of the oat topping.
Bake:
- Bake in a preheated oven for 40-50 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are bubbling.
Serve!
- Let it cool for as long as your patience allows. Enjoy warm, optionally with a scoop of your favorite ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
Notes
Apple Varieties: For the nest flavor, use a mix of sweet and tart apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji. Mixing varieties creates a more complex flavor profile.
Adjusting sweetness: Taste your apples before baking -- if they're particularly sweet, reduce the sugar in the filling. If they're more tart, you can add an extra tablespoon of sugar.
Gluten-Free Option: Substitute the all-purpose flour with almond flour or a gluten-free baking blend to make this dessert gluten-free.
Dairy-Free Alternative: Use coconut oil or plant-based butter in the topping for a dairy-free version.
Make-Ahead Tips: Assemble the crisp and refrigerate it unbaked for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, allow apple crisp to sit at room temp for 15 minutes.
Leftovers: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave to restore the crisp topping and warm the apples.
Serving Suggestions: Pair with ice cream, whipped cream, or even a drizzle of caramel sauce for an indulgent treat.
Scaling the Recipe: This recipe easily doubles for larger gatherings -- just adjust your baking dish size accordingly.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!