Description

Ever craved a dessert that wraps you in the cozy warmth of fall, with tender apples and a buttery, crunchy topping? What if you could make it in just over an hour with simple ingredients? Say hello to Homemade Apple Crisp! This classic dessert features tart Granny Smith apples spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, topped with a golden, oat-filled crisp. Perfect for family gatherings, holidays, or a comforting weeknight treat, it’s as easy to make as it is irresistible.

Ingredients

For the Apple Filling

Granny Smith Apples (10 cups, about 7–8 apples or 3½ pounds, peeled, cored, and sliced): Tart and firm, they hold their shape during baking and balance the sweet topping.
Light Brown Sugar (½ cup, tightly packed): Adds caramel-like sweetness to the filling.
All-Purpose Flour (⅓ cup): Thickens the apple juices to create a saucy consistency.
Granulated Sugar (¼ cup): Enhances sweetness without overpowering the apples.
Ground Cinnamon (2 teaspoons): Brings warm, spicy flavor to the filling.
Ground Nutmeg (½ teaspoon): Adds a subtle, earthy depth.
Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon): Rounds out the flavors with a sweet, aromatic note.

For the Crisp Topping

Quick-Cooking Oats (1⅓ cups, not instant): Provide a chewy, hearty texture to the topping.
All-Purpose Flour (1⅓ cups): Creates structure for a crispy, crumbly topping.
Light Brown Sugar (1 cup, tightly packed): Sweetens the topping and adds a molasses-like depth.
Ground Cinnamon (1½ teaspoons): Infuses the topping with warm spice.
Salt (½ teaspoon): Balances the sweetness and enhances flavors.
Baking Powder (½ teaspoon): Gives the topping a slight lift for a lighter texture.
Unsalted Butter (¾ cup, melted): Binds the topping and creates a golden, buttery crunch.

Substitutions and Variations

Apples: Use Honeycrisp, Fuji, or a mix of tart and sweet apples (like Gala) for different flavor profiles. Adjust sugar if using sweeter varieties.
Flour: Swap with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for a gluten-free crisp.
Oats: Rolled oats can replace quick-cooking oats for a chunkier texture, but avoid instant oats, which become mushy.
Butter: Use vegan butter or coconut oil for a dairy-free version.
Sugar: Replace brown sugar with coconut sugar or maple syrup (reduce liquid slightly if using syrup).
Spices: Add ¼ teaspoon ground ginger or cloves for extra warmth, or swap nutmeg for allspice.

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Instructions

Prepare the Baking Dish:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish (or similar 3-quart dish) with butter or cooking spray.
- Tip: A glass or ceramic dish works best for even baking.
Prepare the Apple Filling:
- Peel, core, and slice 7–8 Granny Smith apples (about 3½ pounds) into ⅛-inch thick slices, then cut each slice in half to create 1-inch wide × ⅛-inch thick pieces (yielding 10 cups).
- In a large bowl, combine the apples with ½ cup tightly packed light brown sugar, ⅓ cup all-purpose flour, ¼ cup granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
- Toss until the apples are evenly coated, then spread the mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish.
- Tip: Slice apples uniformly for even cooking, and toss thoroughly to distribute the flour and spices.
Make the Crisp Topping:
- In a medium bowl, combine 1⅓ cups quick-cooking oats, 1⅓ cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup tightly packed light brown sugar, 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon baking powder. Stir until well mixed.
- Pour ¾ cup melted unsalted butter over the dry ingredients and stir until the mixture is crumbly and evenly moistened.
- Tip: Use your hands to break up any large clumps for a uniform crumble.
Assemble the Crisp:
- Sprinkle the crisp topping evenly over the apple filling, covering it completely. Press lightly to ensure it adheres but don’t pack it down too tightly.
- Tip: Ensure the topping is spread evenly to avoid soggy or overly dry spots.
Bake the Apple Crisp:
- Bake for 50–60 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling around the edges. The apples should be tender when pierced with a fork.
- If the topping browns too quickly, cover loosely with foil during the last 10–15 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for 10–15 minutes to set.
- Tip: Check at 50 minutes, as ovens vary, to avoid overcooking.
Serve:
- Serve warm, spooning the crisp into bowls or onto plates.
- Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce for extra indulgence.
- Tip: The crisp is delicious warm or at room temperature, but serving warm enhances the gooey apple texture.