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Apple Cinnamon Crisp

Warm apple cinnamon crisp with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce in a bowl.

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This cozy dessert features warm, spiced apples bubbling under a buttery, crunchy oat topping. It’s an easy, comforting treat perfect for any occasion. The key is using cold butter for a perfectly crisp, not soggy, finish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • For the Apple Filling:
  • 6-7 medium apples (about 2.5 lbs), peeled, cored, and sliced 1/4-inch thick
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 pinch salt
  • For the Crisp Topping:
  • 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cubed
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Make the filling: In a large bowl, toss apple slices with lemon juice. Add granulated sugar, 2 tbsp flour, 2 tsp cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Toss until apples are evenly coated. Pour into a 9-inch pie dish or 9×9 inch baking dish.
  3. Make the topping: In a medium bowl, whisk together oats, 3/4 cup flour, brown sugar, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, and 1/4 tsp salt. Add cold, cubed butter. Use a pastry cutter, forks, or your fingers to work butter into dry ingredients until mixture resembles coarse sand with some pea-sized butter chunks remaining.
  4. Assemble: Sprinkle topping evenly over apple filling. Do not press down.
  5. Bake: Place dish on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 40-45 minutes, until filling is bubbling and topping is deep golden brown.
  6. Rest: Let crisp cool for at least 15-20 minutes before serving to allow filling to thicken.

Notes

Use cold butter for a crisp topping. Do not over-mix the topping. Letting the crisp rest after baking is crucial for the right texture. For gluten-free, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. For dairy-free, use cold solid coconut oil or plant-based butter.

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