Description
Ina Garten’s barefoot contessa apple crisp combines sweet Granny Smith apples with a buttery, crumbly topping. Cinnamon-spiced and baked until golden, this classic dessert brings warmth and comfort to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 5 lbs (2.27 kg) McIntosh or Macoun apples
- 1 ¼ cups (250 g) granulated sugar
- ¾ cup (165 g) light brown sugar, packed
- 1–½ cups (180 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (90 g) oatmeal
- ½ lb (227 g) cold unsalted butter, diced
- 2 tsps ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- 1 orange zest
- 1 lemon zest
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) orange juice, freshly squeezed
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) lemon juice, freshly squeezed
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set the oven to 350°F (175°C) with the rack positioned in the middle for consistent heat distribution.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Thoroughly grease a 9x14x2-inch oval baking dish with unsalted butter to prevent sticking and ensure easy serving.
- Layer Apple Mixture: Spread the prepared apple mixture evenly across the greased dish, creating a smooth and compact base.
- Create Crumble Topping: In a mixing bowl, combine all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, kosher salt, rolled oats, and chilled butter, using a pastry cutter or fingertips to break down the cold butter into small, pea-sized pieces until the mixture resembles coarse, sandy crumbs.
- Top and Bake: Sprinkle the crumbly topping uniformly over the apple layer, covering the entire surface. Place the baking dish on a rimmed baking sheet and slide into the preheated oven. Bake for 55-65 minutes, or until the topping turns golden brown and the apple filling becomes bubbly and slightly caramelized.
- Rest and Serve: Remove from the oven and let the apple crisp cool for 15-20 minutes to allow the filling to set and flavors to meld. Serve warm, optionally accompanied by vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an extra touch of indulgence.
Notes
- Butter Coating Tip: Use softened unsalted butter for a smooth, even layer that prevents sticking and adds rich flavor to the baking dish.
- Apple Selection Strategy: Choose firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best balance of texture and sweetness in your crisp.
- Crumble Texture Trick: Work quickly with cold butter and use your fingertips to create a sandy, coarse topping that ensures a perfectly crisp and crumbly texture.
- Baking Sheet Protection: Always place the baking dish on a rimmed sheet to catch potential drips and make handling easier, preventing messy oven spills.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 45 g
- Sodium: 170 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg