Description
Make a comforting warm cinnamon apple crisp dessert. This easy recipe brings nostalgic flavors, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- Apple Filling Stars:
- 6–8 medium apples (about 3 lbs), peeled, cored, and sliced
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1.5 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Pinch of salt
- Crisp Topping Essentials:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Prep Your Apples:: First things first, get those apples peeled, cored, and sliced! I usually aim for slices about 1/4-inch thick. Not too thin, or they’ll turn to mush, and not too thick, or they won’t soften properly. This is where I often get distracted and almost slice a finger, so focus! Toss them gently in a big bowl with the granulated sugar, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1.5 teaspoons cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt. Make sure every slice gets coated, that’s where all the warm cinnamon apple crisp dessert flavor begins. The smell at this stage is already making my kitchen feel like autumn!
- Whip Up the Crisp Topping:: Now for the good stuff! In another bowl, combine the flour, oats, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Give it a good whisk. Then, cut in your cold butter. I use my fingers, squishing and rubbing the butter into the dry ingredients until it resembles coarse crumbs. This is where I always get a little messy, butter under my fingernails, but it’s worth it! You want some bigger pea-sized clumps in there for that rustic warm cinnamon apple crisp dessert texture. Don’t overmix, or it’ll get tough, which I learned the hard way once.
- Assemble the Dessert:: Grab your baking dish—a 9×13 inch works perfectly for this. Pour your seasoned apple mixture into the bottom, spreading it out evenly. It’ll look like a lot of apples, but trust me, they’ll cook down! Then, sprinkle that glorious crisp topping all over the apples. Try to get it as evenly distributed as possible, but honestly, a few bare spots just add to the homemade charm. I love seeing the little lumps and bumps of butter peeking through. This is where the magic really starts to happen in my kitchen, anticipation building!
- Bake to Golden Perfection:: Pop that dish into a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C). Let it bake for about 40-50 minutes. You’re looking for the apples to be tender when poked with a knife, and the topping to be beautifully golden brown and bubbly. If the topping starts to get too dark too quickly, just loosely tent it with some foil. I’ve definitely scorched a topping or two in my day, so keep an eye on it! The smell filling your kitchen will be absolutely incredible, that warm cinnamon apple crisp dessert aroma is unmistakable.
- Cool Down, Just a Bit:: Once it’s out of the oven, it’s tempting to dig right in, but resist the urge for just a few minutes! Let it cool on a wire rack for about 10-15 minutes. This allows the juices to settle and thicken slightly, preventing a soupy mess. I’ve burned my tongue more times than I care to admit by being impatient. Plus, it just tastes better when it’s still warm but not scalding hot. The crisp actually gets a little crispier as it cools slightly, too.
- Serve It Up:: And there you have it! Scoop out generous portions of your warm cinnamon apple crisp dessert. It’s fantastic on its own, but honestly, a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream takes it to another level. The contrast of the warm, soft apples and the cold, creamy topping is just divine. This dish always brings smiles and contented sighs to my table. It’s a simple pleasure that feels like a big celebration, every single time.