Apple Cranberry Crisp
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This Apple Cranberry Crisp recipe combines the tartness of cranberries with the sweetness of apples and a crispy oat crown to create an incredibly delicious dessert! Topped with a scoop of creamy ice cream, it’s perfect for any occasion.
Easy Apple Cranberry Crisp
Comforting and delicious, this apple cranberry crisp is nothing short of perfection! With a delightful fusion of seasonal fruits, warm spices, and a golden, crumbly topping, it’s a heavenly treat for your taste buds. You can present it at a Thanksgiving brunch or serve it topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream after a family meal.
Why You’ll Love This Apple Cranberry Crisp
- Easy Recipe! No need for complicated pastry skills. With a handful of fresh, quality ingredients and a straightforward process, you can create a dessert that looks and tastes like it came straight from a gourmet bakery.
- Sensational Flavor! The marriage of tart cranberries and sweet apples topped with a crisp buttery crumble is an irresistible combination of flavors that will have you hooked after just one bite.
- Versatile Dessert! Its rustic charm of a crisp makes it a standout dessert for family dinners, while its sophisticated interplay of flavors and textures ensures it holds its own on the grandest of celebrations.
- Apples: Choose crisp and slightly tart varieties such as Granny Smith apples for the best flavor and texture. Other good choices include Honeycrisp, Gala, Fuji, and Braeburn.
- Cranberries: Provide a vibrant burst of tartness that complements the apples. You can use fresh or frozen cranberries.
- Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and rounds out the tartness of the fresh cranberries.
- Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats: Contributes a hearty and wholesome texture for the crisp topping.
- All-Purpose Flour: Forms the base of the topping by contributing to its structure.
- Brown Sugar: Adds depth and sweet caramel notes to the topping.
- Unsalted Butter: Melted butter binds the topping ingredients together and adds richness.
- Spices: Ground cinnamon and nutmeg infuse the dessert with warm and comforting flavors. You can add a pinch of ginger or cloves too if you like.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the overall flavor of the dessert.
Just like making my yummy apple crisp, this recipe is very easy! It only requires 20 minutes of prep time and is ready to serve right when it comes out of the oven!
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Then grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or spray it with non-stick cooking spray to prevent the dessert from sticking.
While the oven is heating, combine the sliced apples, cranberries, and granulated sugar in a large bowl. Make sure to toss the mixture well so that the fruit is evenly coated in sugar.
Next, grab another mixing bowl and combine the rolled oats, all-purpose flour, brown sugar, melted butter, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt. Mix the ingredients until it resembles a crumbly consistency.
Transfer the fruit mixture to your prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly. Then sprinkle the oat mixture evenly over the fruit in the baking dish, ensuring that the entire top of the dessert is covered. Pop it into the preheated oven and let it bake for about 45 minutes or until golden brown on top and bubbly. Then remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
When ready, serve the warm apple cranberry crisp topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream if you like! It’s also delicious when topped with vanilla custard!
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between apple crumble and apple crisp?
The key difference lies in the topping. Both desserts feature baked apples with a sweetened layer, but a crumble typically includes a streusel topping made from a mixture of butter, flour, and sugar. In contrast, a crisp usually incorporates oats into its topping, providing an extra layer of texture and crunch.
Do I need to peel my apples for apple crisp?
I do! But it’s a matter of preference. Some people enjoy the texture and color of unpeeled apples.
How can I customize the recipe?
This apple cranberry crisp recipe is very versatile. For extra crunch, consider incorporating chopped nuts like pecans, walnuts, or almonds into the topping. Add a handful of dried fruits such as raisins, cranberries, or chopped apricots to the filling. Experiment with spices like cardamom, ginger, or allspice. For a burst of citrusy brightness, add grated orange or lemon zest.
Expert Tips
- Use quality apples. Choose fresh apples that don’t have any brown spots. Crisp and slightly tart varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp produce the best taste and texture.
- Drain frozen cranberries. When using frozen cranberries let them slightly thaw and drain any excess liquid to ensure they contribute their full flavor without compromising the texture of your apple cranberry crisp.
- Cover with foil. If the top of your cranberry apple crisp starts to brown too quickly before the fruit is bubbly, just cover it with a piece of foil to prevent it from burning.
Storage
You can store any leftover apple cranberry crisp in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, it’s best to warm it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 to 15 minutes to restore the texture of the topping.
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Apple Cranberry Crisp
Ingredients
- 4 cups apples (about 4 medium sized apples, peeled, cored and chopped)
- 2 cups cranberries (fresh or frozen)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup brown sugar (packed)
- ½ cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
To Serve
- vanilla ice cream
- whipped cream
Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the sliced apples, cranberries, and granulated sugar. Toss well to coat the fruit evenly with the sugar. Transfer the fruit mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- In a separate mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, all-purpose flour, brown sugar, melted butter, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt. Mix well until all ingredients are combined and the mixture is crumbly.
- Sprinkle the crisp topping evenly over the fruit mixture in the baking dish.
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the fruit is bubbling.
- Remove the crisp from the oven and allow it to cool slightly before serving. Serve warm, optionally topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
Equipment
Notes
- Apple Selection: Choose firm apples like Granny Smith for a tart contrast, or Honeycrisp for a sweeter touch. The key is to use apples that hold their shape well when baked.
- Cranberry Tip: If using frozen cranberries, there’s no need to thaw them. This can help maintain the structure of the berries while baking.
- Sugar Adjustment: Feel free to adjust the granulated sugar based on the sweetness of your apples and your personal preference. Less sugar for tarter fruits, and a bit more for sweeter varieties.
- Butter Substitute: If you prefer, you can use coconut oil or a plant-based butter for a dairy-free version.
- Gluten-Free Option: Swap the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend to make this dessert gluten-free. Ensure your oats are certified gluten-free as well.
Nutrition Information
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
