Description
Sweet cinnamon and tender apples mingle in this irresistible dessert from Midwestern kitchens. Warm spices and buttery crumble create a comforting treat you’ll savor to the last delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 6–8 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix)
- ¾ cup rolled oats
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
Sugar and Sweeteners:
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
Spices and Enhancers:
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup water
- ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and meticulously prepare a 9×9-inch (23×23 centimeters) baking dish with a light butter coating to prevent sticking.
- Carefully wash, peel, and core 4-5 fresh apples, then slice them into uniform, thin wedges approximately ¼-inch (0.6 centimeters) thick.
- Transfer apple slices into a spacious mixing bowl and gently drizzle fresh lemon juice over them to prevent browning and enhance flavor complexity.
- Sprinkle granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and all-purpose flour over the apple slices, ensuring each piece is thoroughly and evenly coated.
- Add a small amount of water and delicately stir the mixture until ingredients are harmoniously blended, creating a glossy and well-distributed apple filling.
- Carefully transfer the seasoned apple mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly to create a consistent layer.
- In a separate bowl, combine rolled oats, all-purpose flour, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt to create the crisp topping’s dry foundation.
- Introduce cold, cubed unsalted butter into the dry ingredients, using fingertips or a pastry cutter to blend until the mixture resembles coarse, crumbly breadcrumbs.
- Optional: Incorporate chopped nuts for added texture and depth of flavor, gently folding them into the crumb mixture.
- Generously and uniformly distribute the crisp topping over the apple filling, ensuring complete coverage.
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, monitoring the topping’s color and the apples’ tenderness.
- If the topping browns too rapidly, loosely tent the dish with aluminum foil to prevent burning while allowing the apples to continue cooking.
- Remove from the oven when the topping achieves a golden-brown hue and the apple filling becomes bubbly and soft.
Notes
- Perfectly balanced sweet and spicy dessert that transforms ordinary apples into a comforting, warm treat.
- Selecting firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp guarantees the best texture and flavor balance in this classic crisp.
- Chilling the butter before mixing ensures a crumbly, flaky topping that creates delightful golden-brown layers when baked.
- Covering with foil prevents over-browning and helps the apples cook evenly, maintaining a soft, juicy interior.
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an indulgent dessert that elevates simple ingredients into a memorable experience.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, gently reheating to restore the crisp’s delicious texture and warmth.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 to 8
- Calories: 112 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 45 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 12 mg