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Old-Fashioned Apple Crisp

A classic comfort dessert featuring tender, cinnamon-spiced apples topped with a crunchy oat and brown sugar streusel. This timeless treat combines warm spices with the natural sweetness of apples for the perfect cozy dessert.  
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Desserts
Cuisine: American
Calories: 380
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Crisp Topping
  • 2/3 cup rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar packed
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup cold butter cut into small cubes
For the Apple Filling
  • 5 medium apples peeled and diced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup butter melted
  •  

Method
 

  1. Preheat the Oven
  2. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This moderate temperature allows the apples to cook through while the topping gets golden and crisp without burning.
  3. Prepare the Crisp Topping
  4. In a medium bowl, combine the oats, flour, cinnamon, brown sugar, salt, and cold butter. Use your hands to mix the ingredients, rubbing the dry ingredients into the butter until the mixture becomes crumbly with pea-sized pieces. The cold butter is essential for creating that perfect crisp texture. Set aside while you prepare the filling.
  5. Make the Apple Filling
  6. In a large bowl, combine the diced apples, lemon juice, cinnamon, sugar, brown sugar, and cornstarch. Stir thoroughly until all apple pieces are evenly coated with the spice and sugar mixture. The lemon juice prevents browning while the cornstarch will help thicken the juices as the apples bake.
  7. Assemble the Crisp
  8. Transfer the apple mixture to an 8×8 inch baking dish, spreading the apples in an even layer. Pour the melted butter evenly over the apples to add richness and help create a luscious sauce.
  9. Add the Topping and Bake
  10. Sprinkle the prepared oat topping evenly over the apple filling. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until you notice the filling bubbling around the edges and the topping has turned a beautiful golden brown.
  11. Serve
  12. Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before serving. For an extra special treat, serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
  13.  

Notes

  • For the best flavor, use a mix of apple varieties. Granny Smith provides tartness while Honeycrisp or Gala add sweetness.
  • You can add 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg or a pinch of cloves to the apple mixture for more complex flavor.
  • This crisp will keep at room temperature for 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • The crisp can be frozen both before or after baking. To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm in a 350°F oven until heated through.