fxtadeusz@gmail.comThis easy apple cranberry crisp combines tart cranberries, sweet apples, and a buttery oat topping. A festive dessert that’s crispy, golden, and perfect for the holidays. This Apple Cranberry Crisp recipe is an American classic! Sweet, tart, and spicy fruit is topped with an oatmeal streusel. This Apple Cranberry Crisp is delicious as a fall dessert or an easy breakfast!
Description
Does anything smell better than baked apples and cinnamon? That’s what this apple cranberry crisp brings to your table and nose! It’s an irresistible combination of tender, sweet apples, tart cranberries, and crunchy oat streusel topping. It is one of my favorite fall desserts (or breakfasts, if you like that kind of thing). This is when cozy sweaters, fall foliage, and gathering with family and friends for a celebration, just come to my mind.
The magic begins with the best ingredients. Fresh, tart apples, ruby-red cranberries, and aromatic spices are a promise of incredible flavor. This colorful composition is the prelude to an autumn dessert that will warm everyone’s hearts.
In the United States, this dessert is a true all-time classic. And a tradition that we always make on Thanksgiving Day, right along with the roast turkey and pumpkin pie. In Europe, it’s still not as famous, but it must be. Because this is one of those comforting desserts that truly warm not just your body but also your heart. Best of all, it is actually very easy to make—it does not require a precise measuring or careful rolling of the pastry dough like pies do. But you get an impressive dessert that will make everyone think you spent hours on it.
In this recipe, I will show you my tested, tried, and true best apple crisp recipe that works every time. I will explain to you how to get the perfect balance of sweet and tart, moist and crunchy to make your dessert unforgettable. Follow my instructions step by step, and you will succeed regardless of whether you are an experienced cook or a novice. Get your apron on and let’s make some delicious desserts!
My Thoughts Before I Started
Before I open the first fridge door and start grabbing ingredients, I always take a moment to meditate on the essence of cooking. Is it just slaving over a hot stove or is there something more? Well, I would say a thousand times, yes! Cooking is my meditation, my creative outlet, and the easiest way to show love and care to the people around me. There is no space for crippling perfectionism in my kitchen—only for experimentation, learning from our “mistakes,” and the pure joy of eating together. I remember when I first started cooking, I was terrified of making even the tiniest of changes to the recipe. I have come a long way since those days, but even now I know that the best dishes are the result of the fearlessness of the pinch of this or the splash of that.
This Apple Cranberry Crisp is the kind of dish that is built for experimentation. In fact, it is such a forgiving recipe that I really shouldn’t even call them “mistakes.” Are your apple pieces cut to perfect, uniform cubes? Don’t sweat it! Is your topping a bit lumpier than in the photo? Great, it will be even crunchier! In food and in life, I think authenticity is more important than sterile precision. Let every “mistake” be your own personal signature on this dish.
So I want you to go into this recipe with an open mind and a light heart. Smell the cinnamon, listen to the butter sizzle, and watch the colors of the fruit deepen as they cook. Baking is a multisensory experience. Don’t rush, take your time, savor the moment. Are you cooking for family and friends? For your partner? Or perhaps you just want to pamper yourself? Remember that the most precious ingredient of any meal is the joy and love you put into making it. It is that positive energy that makes the most mediocre ingredients come to life.
There’s something therapeutic about this moment—sprinkling the buttery, crunchy topping over the juicy fruit. This is when simple ingredients start coming together to create something special. Soon, the oven will work its magic, releasing an unbelievable aroma.
Ingredients
For the fruit filling:
6 medium, crisp apples (like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and chopped into 1-inch pieces
1 cup (about 100g) fresh or frozen cranberries
1/2 cup (100g) packed brown sugar (light or dark)
1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
2 tbsp all-purpose flour or cornstarch (for thickening)
For the crisp topping:
1 1/2 cups (150g) old-fashioned rolled oats (not instant)
1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
1 cup (200g) packed brown sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup (225g / 2 sticks) cold, unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prep oven and dish: preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish or a 10-inch round pie plate.
Mix the filling: In a large bowl, whisk together the chopped apples, cranberries, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and 2 tablespoons of flour. Mix gently but thoroughly to make sure all the fruit is coated evenly.
Assemble the base: Add the fruit filling into the prepared baking dish and spread it into an even layer.
Make the topping: in a separate clean bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients for the topping: oats, 1 cup of flour, 1 cup of brown sugar, and salt.
Add the butter: Add cold cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Using your fingertips or a pastry cutter, cut the butter into the dry ingredients until it resembles a coarse, wet sand with some pea-size lumps remaining. Do not overwork the mixture—the butter should remain cold.
Top the dessert: Evenly sprinkle the prepared crisp topping over the fruit layer.
Bake: Transfer the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 40-50 minutes. The crisp is ready when the topping is deep golden-brown, and the juices are bubbling vigorously around the edges. If the top browns too quickly, you can loosely cover the dish with foil for the last 10-15 minutes of baking.
Rest and serve: Allow the dessert to rest for at least 15-20 minutes before serving. This will allow the juices to thicken a bit. Serve warm on its own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce.
There’s something therapeutic about this moment—sprinkling the buttery, crunchy topping over the juicy fruit. This is when simple ingredients start coming together to create something special. Soon, the oven will work its magic, releasing an unbelievable aroma.
My Tips & Tricks
Use the right apple: It is very important to use firm, tart apples that hold their shape while baking. Try Granny Smith, Honey crisp, Braeburn, or Golden Delicious. Do not use soft apples (such as McIntosh) as they will get mushy.
The secret to a crispy topping: Make sure your butter is very cold, right out of the fridge. Warm butter will melt in the oven and create a greasy layer instead of a crunchy one. For the same reason, if you have time, put the prepared topping in the fridge for 10-15 minutes before sprinkling over the fruit.
Make it Gluten-Free: This recipe is very easily adapted! Simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a universal gluten-free flour (1: 1 ratio), and make sure you have certified gluten-free rolled oats. The taste and texture will be just as good.
Prep ahead: Want to make life easier on the day of your feast? You can prepare the fruit filling and crisp topping one day in advance! Keep them stored in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. Then assemble and bake (it may take an extra 5-10 minutes longer) on the day of your event.
Amp it up: Don’t be shy to experiment with the spices. Add a pinch of ginger or cardamom to the fruit filling. Or mix in some chopped pecans or walnuts into the topping for extra crunch.
Apple Cranberry Crisp
Description
Does anything smell better than baked apples and cinnamon? That’s what this apple cranberry crisp brings to your table and nose! It’s an irresistible combination of tender, sweet apples, tart cranberries, and crunchy oat streusel topping. It is one of my favorite fall desserts (or breakfasts, if you like that kind of thing). This is when cozy sweaters, fall foliage, and gathering with family and friends for a celebration, just come to my mind.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Prep oven and dish: preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish or a 10-inch round pie plate.
Mix the filling: In a large bowl, whisk together the chopped apples, cranberries, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and 2 tablespoons of flour. Mix gently but thoroughly to make sure all the fruit is coated evenly.
Assemble the base: Add the fruit filling into the prepared baking dish and spread it into an even layer.
Make the topping: in a separate clean bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients for the topping: oats, 1 cup of flour, 1 cup of brown sugar, and salt.
Add the butter: Add cold cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Using your fingertips or a pastry cutter, cut the butter into the dry ingredients until it resembles a coarse, wet sand with some pea-size lumps remaining. Do not overwork the mixture—the butter should remain cold.
Top the dessert: Evenly sprinkle the prepared crisp topping over the fruit layer.
Bake: Transfer the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 40-50 minutes. The crisp is ready when the topping is deep golden-brown, and the juices are bubbling vigorously around the edges. If the top browns too quickly, you can loosely cover the dish with foil for the last 10-15 minutes of baking.
Rest and serve: Allow the dessert to rest for at least 15-20 minutes before serving. This will allow the juices to thicken a bit. Serve warm on its own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce.
Conclusion
I hope you and your loved ones will enjoy this Apple Cranberry Crisp recipe as much as we do! It is more than just a dessert, it is an invitation to slow down, savor the moment, and share something good with the people around you. Remember, every dessert you bake is special as it has a piece of you in it.
Tag me in your photos with @YourHandle and use the hashtag #AppleCranberryLove so I can see your creations!
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
- Can I use frozen fruit?
Yes, you sure can! You can use frozen apples and frozen cranberries. No need to thaw—simply add them to the bowl and mix with the other filling ingredients. Just note that your baking time may be extended by about 5-10 minutes.
- How do I store leftover Apple Cranberry Crisp?
Cover the dish with foil or transfer the crisp to an airtight container and keep in the fridge for up to 4 days. When ready to eat, reheat in the oven (individual portions for 10-15 minutes at 350°F (175°C) to help the topping get crunchy) or in the microwave for a few minutes. Microwave heating is quicker, but the topping will be softer.
- What’s the best way to serve this dessert?
The classic option is to serve warm with a scoop of cold vanilla ice cream. The temperature and flavor contrast is heavenly! It is also great with a dollop of whipped cream, a spoonful of Greek yogurt to counterbalance the sweetness, or a generous drizzle of caramel sauce.
Does anyone else think adding a bit of orange zest could work?
Apple cranberry crisp for Thanksgiving? Sounds too tart, ever tried adding some maple syrup?
Does anyone else think adding a dash of cinnamon would elevate this?
Does anyone else think the tartness of green apples works better here?
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