Classic Sweet and Savory Apple Crisp
A perfectly balanced dessert with tender spiced apples and golden-brown oat crumble topping
Key Info
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Servings: 8
- Difficulty: Easy
- Dietary: Vegetarian (with vegan/GF options)
Equipment Needed
- 9×9 inch baking dish
- 2 mixing bowls
- Measuring cups/spoons
- Mixing spoon
- Apple peeler/corer (or sharp knife)
Ingredients
For the Apple Filling:
- 6 medium apples (750g/1.5lbs), preferably Honeycrisp or Granny Smith
- 100g (½ cup) granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- Pinch of salt
For the Crisp Topping:
- 120g (1 cup) all-purpose flour
- 100g (1 cup) old-fashioned oats
- 100g (½ cup) brown sugar
- 115g (½ cup) butter, melted
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp salt
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F/175°C.
- Core and slice apples into ¼-inch pieces (peeling optional).
- Mix apple slices with sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, lemon juice, and salt.
- Transfer apple mixture to greased baking dish.
- Combine all topping ingredients until crumbly.
- Sprinkle topping evenly over apples.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes until topping is golden and apples are tender.
Crucial Tips
- Use firm baking apples that hold their shape.
- Don’t cut apples too thin – they’ll turn mushy.
- Pat topping down gently before baking.
- Look for bubbling edges as a sign of doneness.
Storage & Variations
Storage:
- Room temp: 2 days
- Refrigerated: 5 days
- Reheat: 350°F for 15 mins
Common Variations:
- Vegan: Use plant butter
- Gluten-free: Use GF flour/oats
- Add nuts to topping
- Mix in other fruits (pears, berries)
Serving Suggestions:
- Vanilla ice cream
- Whipped cream
- Caramel sauce
- Warm or room temperature
Master this classic dessert by following these precise measurements and steps. The key is using the right apples and achieving that perfect crispy-to-tender ratio.
