Best Classic Apple Crisp

Classic apple crisp is a classic fall dessert. Learn how to make apple crisp with this easy apple crisp recipe. The apple crisp topping is too good to resist served warm with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce.

Apple crisp has been a staple in my family for as long as I remember. Growing up my mom would take me and my siblings apple picking. We’d use the apples to make a delicious dessert and serve it with vanilla ice cream!

Haley here from If You Give a Blonde a Kitchen. Today I’m sharing my favorite recipe for the best apple crisp. It’s a classic fall dessert and is the perfect use for all the apples in season!

What I truly love about apple crisp though is that it is very difficult to mess up. Think of the recipe as two parts—the filling and the crisp topping. All you have to do is make those two parts, put it in a dish and bake!

How to make the best apple crisp

In a small mixing bowl, whisk together melted butter and flour until slightly thick. Stir in water, lemon juice and vanilla. Add brown sugar, cinnamon and a pinch of salt. Stir until ingredients are well combined.

Place sliced apples in a large bowl and pour butter mixture over the apples. Use a rubber spatula to toss and evenly coat the apples in the butter mixture. Transfer the apples to the prepared baking dish.

Sprinkle the crisp topping over the fresh fruit layer. Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 35 minutes, or until top is golden brown and the apple juices are bubbling at the edges of the pan. Remove the crisp from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes.

Apple crisp topping

To make the apple crisp topping, whisk together flour, oats, light brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt in a medium mixing bowl. Add cubed butter and, using your clean hands, combine butter with dry mixture until it comes together into small crumbles. Transfer to a refrigerator to chill until ready to use as topping.

Layer the crumble on top, pop it in the oven and let the aromas of cinnamon baked apples fill your house. You know the crisp is ready when the juices start bubbling and the crumble is golden brown.

This dessert will undoubtedly put you in the mood for fall. It tastes delicious right out of the oven or chilled in the fridge a few days later. Serve apple crisp warm with vanilla ice cream and homemade caramel sauce.

What is the difference between apple crisp and apple crumble?

A crumble rarely includes oats or nuts but usually increases a streusel-like combination of flour, sugar and butter. This peach crumble is a good example. A crisp, on the other hand, includes fruit baked with a crisp and crunchy layer of ingredients.

Should I refrigerate apple crisp?

We recommend refrigerating apple crisp so that it keeps longer. However, you can technically leave it out on the counter for up to 24 hours.

If you love this recipe and have plenty of fresh apples, then you must try a few of our other favorite apple recipes for the fall season.

What can I do with lots of apples?

• Apple cheesecake bars – you can’t resist the combination of apples and cheesecake!
• Apple crisp bars – a delicious on-the-go treat.
• Caramel apple cake – apples and caramel are always a great combination.
• Homemade apple pie – mom’s homemade recipe is a classic!
• Apple crumb bars – great for breakfast, dessert or snack.
• Baked apple pie egg rolls – one of our favorite desserts!

Classic Apple Crisp

Yield: 6 servings

Prep Time:

10 mins

Cook Time:

35 mins

Total Time:

45 mins

 

Apple crisp is a classic fall dessert. Make this easy recipe and serve it warm with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce. 

Print

5 from 4 votes

Ingredients

For the crisp topping:

• 1/2  cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (78g) 
• 1/2  cup  40 g old fashioned oats (40g)
• 1/2  cup 100 g packed light brown sugar (100g)
• 1/2  teaspoon  baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon  ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon  salt
• 1/3  cup unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small cubes (76g) 

For the Apple Filling

• 2  pounds baking apples, about 6 apples, peeled, cored and sliced thin (about 1/8-inch)
• 3 tablespoons  unsalted butter, melted (42g)
• 2 tablespoons  all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon  water
• 1  tablespoon  lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon  vanilla extract
• 1/4  cup light brown sugar 50g
• 1/2 teaspoon  ground cinnamon
• Pinch of salt
• caramel sauce for topping

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375° F. Lightly butter an 8x8-inch glass baking dish and set aside.
2. Prepare the Topping: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together flour, oats, light brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Add cubed butter and, using clean hands, combine butter with dry mixture until it comes together into small crumbles. Transfer to refrigerator to chill while preparing filling.
3. Make the Filling: In a small mixing bowl, whisk together melted butter and flour until slightly thick. Stir in water, lemon juice and vanilla. Add brown sugar, cinnamon, and pinch of salt. Stir until ingredients are well combined.
4. Place sliced apples in a large bowl and pour butter mixture over the apples. Use a rubber spatula to toss and evenly coat the apples in butter mixture. Transfer apples to prepared baking dish.
5. Remove topping from the refrigerator (separate into crumbles if necessary) and sprinkle evenly over the top of the apple layer.
6. Bake at 375° F for 35 minutes, or until top is golden brown and the apples juices are bubbling at the edges of the pan. Remove crisp from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce if desired.

Notes

• We recommend using Gala, Honeycrisp, Braeburn or Golden Delicious for this crisp to get the best flavor and texture. 

Nutrition Information

Calories: 370, Fat: 16.6g, Saturated Fat: 9.9g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.8g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4.8g, Cholesterol: 42.9mg, Sodium: 122.9mg, Potassium: 184.5mg, Carbohydrates: 57.3g, Fiber: 4.8g, Sugar: 39.9g, Protein: 2.4g, Vitamin A: 680%, Vitamin C: 13.5%, Calcium: 42%, Iron: 1.1%

*Nutritional information is an estimate. Please consult a doctor or nutritionist for the most accurate nutritional info.

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: apple crisp, apple crisp topping, best apple crisp recipe, classic apple crisp

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