Cozy Rustic Apple Crisp Recipe: A Heartwarming Sweet Treat

Autumn’s golden hues inspire delectable desserts like this rustic apple crisp that promises pure comfort.

Baked with seasonal apples and a crunchy, buttery topping, the recipe delivers warmth in every spoonful.

Sweet Granny Smith apples mingle with fragrant cinnamon, creating a harmonious blend of flavors.

Each bite offers a perfect balance between tender fruit and crisp, crumbly streusel.

The dessert whispers memories of cozy kitchen gatherings and weekend baking traditions.

Served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, this apple crisp transforms simple ingredients into an irresistible treat.

You’ll want to savor every single crumb of this classic dessert.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 210 kcal

Servings: 13

Ingredients for Old Fashioned Apple Crisp

• Apples: Choose crisp, sweet-tart varieties like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for perfect baking texture and balanced flavor.
• Granulated Sugar: Enhances natural apple sweetness and helps create delightful caramelization.
• Brown Sugar: Adds rich, molasses-like depth and helps create a luscious sauce.
• Lemon Juice: Prevents apple browning and brightens overall flavor profile.
• Flour: Thickens fruity filling to create perfect consistency.
• Ground Cinnamon: Brings warm, aromatic spice that complements apple's natural sweetness.
• Ground Nutmeg: Adds subtle, earthy warmth to complement cinnamon's heat.

• Rolled Oats: Provides hearty texture and nutty undertone to crisp layer.
• Flour: Helps bind topping ingredients together.
• Brown Sugar: Creates caramelized, crunchy top with rich undertones.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor complexity.

• Butter: Creates rich, flaky topping and adds luxurious mouthfeel.

Tools to Make Old Fashioned Apple Crisp

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining apple filling and crumb topping ingredients.
• 9×13-inch baking dish: Perfect for spreading apple mixture and creating even layers.
• Pastry cutter or fingers: Helps blend butter into dry ingredients for a crumbly topping.
• Sharp knife: Needed for slicing apples into even pieces.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Useful for mixing and spreading ingredients.

Prep & Cook: Old Fashioned Apple Crisp

• Warm Up the Oven

Set your oven to 350F and grab a 9×13-inch baking dish. Give the dish a quick spray or butter rub to prevent sticking.

• Prepare Apple Mixture

Slice up your apples and toss them with sweet sugars, warm spices, a splash of lemon, and a touch of flour. Spread this delicious blend across your baking dish, creating a golden foundation.

• Create Crispy Topping

In another bowl, mix oats, flour, brown sugar, and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Work cold butter into the dry ingredients using your fingers until the mixture looks like rough, crumbly sand.

• Layer and Bake

Shower the oat mixture over your apple base, making sure every inch gets covered. Slide the dish into the heated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes until the top turns a gorgeous golden brown and the apples bubble with sweet juices.

• Serve and Enjoy

Let the crisp rest for a few minutes after pulling it from the oven. Scoop out a portion while it’s still warm and crown it with a dollop of vanilla ice cream or a cloud of whipped cream for the ultimate comfort dessert.

How to Add Flair to Old Fashioned Apple Crisp

• Mix different apple types like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Fuji for a more complex, layered flavor profile that adds depth to your dessert.
• Prepare the crisp up to a day in advance and store covered in the refrigerator. Reheat in the oven at 350F for 15-20 minutes before serving to restore its crispy texture.
• Replace regular flour with gluten-free flour blend in both apple mixture and topping. Use certified gluten-free oats to make the entire dessert celiac-friendly.
• Fold chopped pecans or sliced almonds into the topping for extra texture and a rich, toasted flavor that complements the sweet apples perfectly.
• Substitute butter with coconut oil or vegan butter alternative. Serve with dairy-free vanilla ice cream to create a completely plant-based version of this classic dessert.

How to Serve Old Fashioned Apple Crisp

• Cozy Comfort Companion: Pair this warm apple crisp with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream, creating a delightful contrast between the hot, cinnamon-spiced apples and cold, smooth ice cream.
• Breakfast Twist: Transform leftovers into a morning treat by serving a small portion alongside Greek yogurt or as a topping for morning pancakes, adding a sweet fruit element to your breakfast.
• Seasonal Presentation: Garnish with a light dusting of ground cinnamon or chopped toasted pecans just before serving, enhancing visual appeal and adding a subtle nutty crunch to the dessert.
• Elegant Serving Option: Serve in individual ramekins for a personalized dessert experience, making each portion look special and perfect for dinner parties or intimate gatherings.

Keeping Old Fashioned Apple Crisp Fresh

• Keep your apple crisp covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, maintaining its delightful texture and flavor.
• Warm individual servings in the microwave for 30-45 seconds or reheat the entire dish in a 350F oven for 10-15 minutes to restore its crispy topping and warm, gooey center.
• Wrap the cooled apple crisp tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Prepare the apple mixture and crumb topping separately up to 24 hours in advance, storing them in sealed containers in the refrigerator. Assemble and bake just before serving to ensure maximum freshness and crispiness.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of apples for this recipe?

Yes, you can use a mix of apple varieties like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji. Different apples provide varied sweetness and textures, making your crisp more interesting.

• Is this dessert considered healthy?

While it contains fruit, apple crisp is still a dessert with added sugars and butter. It’s best enjoyed in moderation as a treat. The oats do provide some nutritional benefits like fiber.

• How can I make the topping extra crispy?

Use cold butter and work it into the dry ingredients quickly. Don’t overmix – you want small, uneven butter chunks that create a crumbly, crisp texture when baked.

• What if I don't have brown sugar?

You can substitute white sugar with a tablespoon of molasses, or use all white sugar. The brown sugar adds deeper flavor and moisture, but the crisp will still be delicious without it.

Rustic Apple Crisp Recipe

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4.7 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Homemade Old Fashioned Apple Crisp delights with layers of sweet, spiced apples beneath a crumbly, buttery oat topping. Warm servings paired with vanilla ice cream create a comforting dessert perfect for autumn gatherings and family celebrations.

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Ingredients

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• 6 medium apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and sliced
• 1 cup old-fashioned oats
• ¾ cup all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
• ½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 2 tbsps granulated sugar
• 2 tbsps brown sugar
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• ¼ tsp salt

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and lightly grease a rectangular baking dish to prevent sticking.
2. Apple Mixture: In a large bowl, thoroughly coat apple slices with granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and flour, ensuring each slice is evenly seasoned.
3. Base Layer: Spread the seasoned apple mixture uniformly in the prepared baking dish, creating a robust fruit foundation.
4. Crisp Topping: Combine oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a mixing bowl, then integrate cold butter using fingertips or a pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
5. Assembly: Distribute the crumbly topping generously and evenly over the apple layer, covering the entire surface to create a textural contrast.
6. Baking Process: Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, monitoring until the topping turns golden-brown and the fruit beneath bubbles with caramelized intensity.
7. Finishing Touch: Remove from oven and allow the crisp to cool slightly, letting the flavors meld and settle. Serve warm, optionally accompanied by vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an extra layer of indulgence.

Notes

• Select Apple Varieties Wisely: Choose firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp that hold shape during baking and provide balanced sweetness.
• Prevent Apple Browning: Toss apple slices with lemon juice immediately after cutting to maintain fresh color and prevent oxidation.
• Control Topping Texture: Ensure butter is ice-cold when mixing with dry ingredients to create perfectly crumbly, structured crisp topping.
• Adjust Baking Time Carefully: Check crisp around 35 minutes to prevent over-browning, allowing golden top and tender fruit underneath.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 75 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg