Description
Whip up an Old-Fashioned Homemade Apple Crisp, just like grandma used to make. This simple, comforting dessert brings warmth and joy to any table.
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Apple Filling:
- 6–7 medium apples (about 6 cups sliced), a mix of tart and sweet like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- Pinch of salt
- For the Crisp Topping:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, very cold and cubed
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
- Optional Add-ins:
- 1/4 tsp ground cardamom (for filling)
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (for topping)
Instructions
- Prep the Apples:: Okay, first things first, get those apples peeled, cored, and sliced! I usually go for about 1/4-inch thick slices; too thin and they’ll get mushy, too thick and they won’t soften properly. Toss them in a big bowl with the granulated sugar, a tablespoon of flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and that splash of lemon juice. Give it a good stir until everything’s coated. The smell already starts to get me excited, honestly. This is where I sometimes get a little messy, a bit of apple juice on the counter? Standard.
- Make the Crumble Topping:: Now for the fun part! In another bowl, combine the remaining flour, both brown and granulated sugars, oats, cinnamon, and a tiny pinch of salt. See, easy peasy. Now, cut in that cold, cubed butter. You can use a pastry blender, your fingers (my preferred, messy method!), or even a fork. You want coarse crumbs, some bigger, some smaller. I aim for pieces about the size of peas. Don’t overmix it, or you’ll end up with a dough, not a crumble.
- Assemble Your Old-Fashioned Homemade Apple Crisp:: Time to bring it all together! Pour those spiced apples into your baking dish. I usually go for an 8×8 or 9×13 inch dish, depending on how many apples I have. Spread them out evenly. Then, sprinkle that glorious crumble topping all over the apples. Make sure you get good coverage, every apple slice deserves a cozy blanket of crumbly goodness. I sometimes press a little bit of the topping onto the edges, just to make sure it gets extra crispy there.
- Bake Until Golden:: Pop that dish into a preheated oven, around 375°F (190°C). Now, the waiting game begins. You’ll want to bake it for about 40-50 minutes. Keep an eye on the topping; if it starts to brown too quickly, you can loosely tent it with foil. What you’re looking for is a bubbly apple filling and a beautifully golden-brown, crispy topping. The aroma filling your kitchen right now? That’s pure bliss, hon.
- Check for Doneness: Old-Fashioned Homemade Apple Crisp:: To really know if your crisp is ready, grab a knife or a skewer and gently poke through the topping into the apples. They should feel tender, not resistant. If they’re still a bit firm, give it another 5-10 minutes. I’ve definitely pulled it out too early before, only to find crunchy apples – a total bummer. So, take the extra minute to check!
- Cool and Serve:: Oh, the hardest part! Let your Old-Fashioned Homemade Apple Crisp cool for at least 15-20 minutes before serving. I know, I know, it’s tempting to dig right in, but trust me, it’s worth the wait. This lets the filling set up a bit, preventing a watery mess. Plus, it’s scorching hot straight from the oven! Serve it warm, maybe with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. Pure heaven, honestly.