Embrace the flavors of fall with “Autumn Harvest: Classic Apple Crisp,” a quintessential dessert that highlights the natural sweetness and delightful texture of apples. Topped with a crunchy, buttery oatmeal crumble, this apple crisp is both comforting and irresistibly tasty. It’s the perfect way to end a chilly autumn day, served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
Why You’ll Love Classic Apple Crisp:
- Simple and Rustic: Easy to prepare with basic ingredients, celebrating the simplicity of home baking.
- Versatile Apple Use: Works beautifully with various types of apples, allowing you to adjust the sweetness and tartness to your taste.
- Comforting Warm Dessert: Ideal for cozy evenings, especially delightful when served warm.
- Customizable: Easy to modify with additions like nuts, spices, or even a mix of fruits.
Ingredients Notes For Classic Apple Crisp:
- Apples: Choose a mix of tart and sweet apples for the best flavor, such as Granny Smith and Honeycrisp. Peel, core, and slice them for even cooking.
- Lemon Juice: Adds a bit of brightness and prevents the apples from browning.
- Sugar: Adjust the amount based on the sweetness of your apples and personal preference. Brown sugar can be used for a deeper flavor.
- Cinnamon and Nutmeg: Spices that complement the apples beautifully, enhancing their natural flavors.
- For the Topping:
- Old-Fashioned Oats: Provide texture and heartiness to the crumble topping.
- Flour: Helps bind the topping ingredients.
- Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and a caramel-like flavor.
- Butter: Cold and cubed, it’s worked into the dry ingredients to create a crumbly texture.
- Optional Nuts: Chopped pecans or walnuts can be added for extra crunch and flavor.
Recipe Steps:
- Prepare the Apples:
- In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with lemon juice, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well coated. Transfer to a greased baking dish.
- Make the Crumble Topping:
- In another bowl, combine oats, flour, and brown sugar. Cut in the cold butter with a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in nuts if using.
- Assemble and Bake:
- Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the apples.
- Bake in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for about 45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are bubbly and tender.
- Serve:
- Serve warm from the oven. Enhance your serving with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an extra indulgent treat.
Storage Options:
- Refrigerate: Keep leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Reheat: Warm up in the oven or microwave before serving to recapture the crisp’s delightful texture.
INGREDIENTS
For the Apple Filling:
- 6 medium-sized apples (a mix of tart and sweet, like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (optional, helps thicken the juices)
For the Crisp Topping:
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces
- Optional: 1/2 cup chopped nuts (like walnuts or pecans)
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Dish:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease an 8×8 inch baking dish or similar size.
- Mix the Apple Filling:
- In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and flour if using. Toss to coat the apples evenly.
- Pour the apple mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Make the Crisp Topping:
- In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
- Add the cold butter pieces to the oat mixture. Using your fingers, a pastry cutter, or two forks, blend the butter into the oat mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the chopped nuts if using.
- Evenly sprinkle the topping over the apples in the dish.
- Bake:
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 45-50 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are bubbling around the edges.
- Serve:
- Allow the apple crisp to cool slightly before serving. It’s best enjoyed warm.
- Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra indulgent treat.
