Easy Apple Crisp Recipe: Warm Spiced Crumbly Topping (Print Version)

Discover a heartwarming Easy Apple Crisp Recipe. My personal take on this classic dessert brings sweet apples and a buttery, spiced crumb topping.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 45 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 65 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Vegetarian

# Ingredients:

→ Apple Filling

01 - 6 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and sliced (about 6 cups)
02 - 2 medium Honeycrisp apples, peeled, cored, and sliced (about 2 cups)
03 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
04 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
05 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
06 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

→ Crumb Topping

07 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
08 - 1/2 cup rolled oats
09 - 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
10 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
11 - 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
12 - Pinch of salt

→ Flavor Boosters (Optional)

13 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (for apples)
14 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (for apples)

→ Serving Suggestions

15 - Vanilla bean ice cream
16 - Freshly whipped cream

# Instructions:

01 - Okay, first things first for this Easy Apple Crisp Recipe, get those apples peeled, cored, and sliced. I usually go for about a quarter-inch thick slice, not too thin, not too chunky. You want them to cook down but still have some bite. Toss them in a big bowl with the granulated sugar, flour, cinnamon, and lemon juice. Give it a good mix, making sure every apple slice is coated. I love how the cinnamon just perfumes the air as you do this; it's honestly the best part of fall in my kitchen.
02 - Next, grab another bowl for your crumb topping. Combine the flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and that pinch of salt. Now, for the butter! Cut your *very* cold butter into small cubes. Use your fingers (or a pastry blender, if you're fancy) to work the butter into the dry ingredients until it looks like coarse crumbs. You’ll see some pea-sized pieces of butter, and that's exactly what you want. I once got impatient and used slightly soft butter, and it just made a sticky mess, so learn from my mistakes!
03 - Now for the fun part of your Easy Apple Crisp Recipe – assembly! Pour your spiced apple mixture into an 8x8 or 9x9 inch baking dish. Try to spread them out evenly. Then, sprinkle that glorious crumb topping all over the apples. Don't press it down; just let it fall naturally. I love how rustic it looks at this stage. Sometimes I get a little heavy-handed with the topping, but honestly, can you ever have too much crumble?
04 - Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Pop your apple crisp in there and bake for about 40-45 minutes. You're looking for the topping to be beautifully golden brown and the apple filling to be bubbling up around the edges. Oh, and your kitchen will smell absolutely divine, I promise! If the topping starts to get too dark too quickly, you can loosely tent it with foil, a trick I picked up after a few over-browned crisps.
05 - Once it's out of the oven, I know it's tempting to dig right in, but try to let your Easy Apple Crisp Recipe cool for at least 15-20 minutes. This lets the filling set up a bit, preventing a watery mess when you scoop it. I usually pace around the kitchen, pretending to clean, but really just waiting for it to be cool enough to not scald my tongue. It's a test of patience, honestly.
06 - After the cooling period, it's time to enjoy your amazing Easy Apple Crisp Recipe! Scoop it warm into bowls. It’s fantastic on its own, but if you want to elevate it, a dollop of vanilla ice cream or a cloud of whipped cream is a game-changer. The contrast of the warm crisp and cold ice cream? Chef's kiss! I usually make a huge mess on the counter while serving, but hey, that's part of the charm of homemade, right?

# Notes:

01 - Don't overmix your crumb topping; those little pockets of butter are what make it truly crispy.
02 - If your apples are very juicy, add an extra tablespoon of flour to the filling to prevent a runny crisp.
03 - Always use cold butter for the topping, it's a non-negotiable for that perfect texture.
04 - Serving it warm with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream makes this dessert extra special.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - 8x8 or 9x9 inch baking dish
02 - large mixing bowls
03 - vegetable peeler
04 - knife
05 - cutting board
06 - pastry blender (optional)

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 350-400 kcal
Total Fat: 18-22g
Total Carbohydrate: 50-60g
Protein: 3-5g

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