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Apple Crisp

This recipe creates a comforting Apple Crisp featuring tender, spiced Granny Smith apples topped with a sweet, buttery, and crumbly oat streusel. It's an easy-to-prepare, classic dessert perfect for any occasion, especially when served warm with ice cream or frozen custard.
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Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 8 people
Course: lunch/dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 297.4
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main
  • Salted butter for the baking dish
  • 8 medium Granny Smith apples peeled, cored and sliced
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 heaping tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup quick-cooking oats
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • Pinch of kosher salt
  • 1 stick 8 tablespoons salted butter, melted
  • Ice cream or frozen custard for serving

Equipment

  • 1 9x13-inch Glass Baking Dish Essential for baking the crisp evenly.
  • 2 Large Mixing Bowls One for the apple mixture, one for the topping.
  • 1 Vegetable Peeler For efficiently peeling the apples.
  • 1 Chef's Knife and Cutting Board For coring and slicing apples.
  • 1 Whisk or Spatula For mixing both the apple seasoning and the crisp topping.

Method
 

  1. For the apples: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9-by-13-inch glass baking dish with butter.
  2. Arrange the apple slices in the prepared baking dish in an even layer. In a bowl, mix together the granulated sugar, flour, cinnamon and salt. Sprinkle the mixture over the apples, then pour 1/2 cup water over top.
  3. For the topping: In a separate bowl, mix the flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda and a pinch of salt. Stir while drizzling in the melted butter. Sprinkle the topping in an even layer over the apples.
  4. Bake until the topping is slightly crisp and golden brown, about 43 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature on its own, with ice cream or with frozen custard.

Notes

1. Apple Selection: While Granny Smith provides a classic tart counterpoint to the sweet topping, consider blending with a sweeter apple like Honeycrisp or Fuji for more complexity. Ensure slices are uniform for even cooking. 2. Topping Texture: The key to a perfect crisp topping is the 'crumble.' Avoid overmixing once the melted butter is added; you want distinct clumps, not a paste. This creates a superior textural contrast. 3. Don't Skip the Water: Adding 1/2 cup of water to the apples before baking helps create a luscious, syrupy base, preventing the apples from drying out during the baking process. 4. Serving Temperature: Apple crisp is best served warm, allowing the spiced apples to shine. A scoop of high-quality vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of crème fraîche elevates this humble dessert to a true indulgence. Consider a light dusting of cinnamon on top for presentation.