Easy Joy Of Cooking Apple Crisp Recipe That’s Sweet & Homey

Apple crisp brings warmth and nostalgia to any kitchen, creating instant comfort with its rich, aromatic essence.

Sweet, tender fruit nestles beneath a crumbly, golden-brown topping that promises delectable texture in every bite.

Generations have cherished this classic dessert, transforming simple ingredients into a magical culinary experience.

Rustic and unassuming, this recipe celebrates seasonal harvests with its straightforward preparation and irresistible aroma.

Crunchy streusel-like layers contrast beautifully against soft, caramelized fruit, delivering a symphony of flavors that dance across your palate.

Baking this dessert transforms ordinary moments into memorable gatherings, filling homes with incredible scents and delightful anticipation.

Comfort and tradition merge seamlessly in this timeless dish that connects people through shared sweetness: grab your apron and start baking!

How to Make Apple Crisp

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Baking Dish

Adjust oven rack to middle position. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9-inch (23 cm) deep dish pie pan or 8-inch (20 cm) square baking dish with 2-inch (5 cm) sides using butter or nonstick cooking spray.

Step 2: Create Crumble Topping

• All-purpose flour
• Brown sugar
• White sugar
• Ground cinnamon
• Salt

Cut in cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in chopped nuts and rolled oats. Set aside.

Step 3: Prepare Fruit Filling

• 4-5 medium apples, peeled and chopped
• Granulated sugar
• Fresh lemon juice
• Optional: mixed berries

Toss ingredients until apples are evenly coated.

Step 4: Assemble Crisp

Transfer fruit mixture to prepared baking dish. Sprinkle crumble topping evenly over the fruit, covering completely.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Bake in preheated oven for 30-40 minutes. Look for bubbling fruit and golden-brown topping. Check apple tenderness by inserting a sharp knife – apples should be firm but cooked through.

Step 6: Cool and Serve

Remove from oven and let cool on wire rack for 20-30 minutes. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or dollop of whipped cream for extra indulgence.

Helpful Tips for Apple Crisp

• Blend Apple Varieties: Mix Granny Smith for tartness with Honeycrisp for sweetness, creating a complex flavor profile.
• Adjust Sugar Wisely: Taste your apples first. Tart fruits need more sugar, while sweet varieties require less to maintain balance.
• Crumble Technique: Use cold butter and work quickly with fingertips to create light, airy topping texture.
• Prevent Soggy Bottom: Sprinkle a thin layer of breadcrumbs under apple filling to absorb excess moisture and maintain crisp base.
• Serving Perfection: Let crisp rest 15 minutes after baking to allow topping to set and filling to cool slightly, ensuring clean slices.

Apple Crisp Storage Guide

• Container Method: Select an airtight glass or ceramic dish with a secure lid to maintain freshness and prevent flavor absorption from other foods. Carefully transfer the apple crisp into the container, ensuring minimal disruption to the crispy topping.
• Refrigeration Method: Store the dessert in the coolest part of the refrigerator, typically at the back of the bottom shelf. Keep the crisp away from strong-smelling foods to preserve its delicate apple and cinnamon notes.
• Freezing Method: Wrap the apple crisp tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a heavy-duty freezer bag to prevent freezer burn. Label the bag with the date and contents to track storage time. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for the best texture and flavor restoration.

Different Takes on Apple Crisp

• Rustic Berry Blast: Replace half the apples with mixed berries like raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries for a vibrant flavor explosion. Adjust sugar content to balance berry tartness.
• Nutty Caramel Crunch: Drizzle homemade caramel sauce over the crisp before baking and sprinkle extra chopped pecans or almonds for added texture and richness.
• Autumn Spice Sensation: Incorporate ground nutmeg, cardamom, and a pinch of cloves into the topping for a warm, complex flavor profile that screams fall comfort.
• Gluten-Free Garden Crisp: Swap wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free oat flour, ensuring those with dietary restrictions can enjoy this classic dessert without compromise.

Apple Crisp Recap

Warm Apple Crisp emerges as classic comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen, bridging generations with its delightful simplicity.

Sweet aromas waft through home spaces, promising nostalgic memories and pure culinary joy.

Crisp golden topping crumbles delicately over tender caramelized apple slices, creating harmonious flavor profiles.

Seasonal ingredients dance together, transforming humble components into extraordinary dessert magic.

Classic recipes like this connect family traditions with contemporary palates, celebrating timeless culinary wisdom.

Passionate bakers and curious kitchen adventurers: share your crisp creation, spark conversation in comments, spread deliciousness across social platforms, and inspire fellow dessert enthusiasts with your delectable masterpiece.

Reasons to Love Apple Crisp

• Savor Seasonal Comfort: This apple crisp transforms humble ingredients into a warm, nostalgic dessert that celebrates autumn's bounty with every delicious spoonful.
• Craft Effortless Elegance: The recipe requires minimal technical skills, making it perfect for home bakers of all levels who want to create a stunning dessert without complicated techniques.
• Enjoy Textural Symphony: Crisp delivers a delightful contrast between soft, tender baked apples and a crunchy, golden-brown nutty oat topping that provides satisfying layers of mouthfeel.
• Quick Weekend Winner: With just over an hour from start to finish, this dessert offers maximum flavor and minimal preparation time, ideal for spontaneous weekend baking or last-minute gatherings.

Apple Crisp Ingredient List

• Apples: Sweet, firm baking apples work best for a perfect texture and flavor.
• Berries: Optional addition for extra tartness and color variation.

• All-Purpose Flour, Brown Sugar, White Sugar: Creates a sweet, crumbly base for the crisp topping.
• Ground Cinnamon, Salt: Adds warm spice and balances the sweetness.
• Rolled Oats, Chopped Nuts: Provides crunchy texture and nutty flavor to the topping.

• Butter: Helps bind the topping and creates a rich, golden-brown crust.
• Lemon Juice: Prevents apple browning and adds a bright, tangy note.
• Vanilla Ice Cream or Whipped Cream: Optional topping for serving, adds creamy richness.

Joy Of Cooking Apple Crisp Recipe

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4.9 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Homemade apple crisp brings classic comfort from American kitchens, blending sweet cinnamon-spiced apples with buttery, crumbly oat topping. Warm servings topped with vanilla ice cream create pure dessert magic you’ll savor to the last delicious bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 6 cups (750 grams) Apples (peeled, cored, and cut into 1-inch (2.5 cm) chunks)
• 1 cup fresh blackberries or raspberries (optional)
• ½ cup (50 grams) chopped walnuts or pecans

Topping Ingredients:

• ½ cup (65 grams) all-purpose flour
• ⅓ cup (30 grams) old-fashioned rolled oats
• ¼ cup (55 grams) light brown sugar
• 6 tablespoons (85 grams) cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

Flavoring Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons (40 grams) granulated white sugar, or to taste
• 1 tablespoon (5 grams) lemon juice

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Instructions

1. Position the oven rack centrally and preheat to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).
2. Generously grease a 9-inch (23 centimeters) deep dish pie pan or an 8-inch (20 centimeters) square baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
3. In a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly blend the flour, brown sugar, white sugar, ground cinnamon, and salt until uniformly combined.
4. Incorporate cold butter into the dry mixture, cutting it into the ingredients using a pastry blender or fingertips until the texture resembles coarse, uneven crumbs.
5. Fold chopped nuts and rolled oats into the crumb mixture, ensuring even distribution and set aside.
6. In a separate large mixing bowl, gently toss apple chunks with berries, sugar, and lemon juice, coating the fruit completely to enhance flavor and prevent browning.
7. Transfer the fruit mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly across the bottom.
8. Sprinkle the prepared crumb topping uniformly over the fruit, ensuring complete coverage.
9. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 45 minutes, watching for bubbling fruit and a golden-brown topping.
10. Test fruit doneness by inserting a sharp knife – apples should be tender but not mushy.
11. Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack for 25 to 30 minutes to allow filling to set.
12. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream.

Notes

• Experiment with Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Golden Delicious apples for a complex flavor profile.
• Taste your apples before adding sugar to adjust sweetness accordingly.
• Gently mix the crumble topping until it resembles coarse, pea-sized breadcrumbs for the perfect texture.
• Use cold butter and work quickly to prevent the topping from becoming too warm and dense.
• Allow the pie to cool completely before slicing to help the filling set properly.
• Store leftovers in the refrigerator, covered, for up to three days.
• Warm individual slices in the oven for a few minutes to restore the crisp topping.
• Consider serving with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent dessert experience.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 360 kcal
• Sugar: 24 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg