Apple Cranberry Crisp
A warm, bubbly filling of tart apples and bright cranberries under a crunchy, buttery oat topping. This cozy dessert is a holiday favorite, perfect with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
For 8 servings
7 steps.
- 1
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C)
- a.Lightly grease a 9-inch round pie plate or an 8x8 inch square baking dish.
- 2
In a large bowl, prepare the fruit filling
- a.Combine the sliced apples, cranberries, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 2 tbsp all-purpose flour, lemon juice, 1 tsp cinnamon, nutmeg, and 1/4 tsp salt. Toss gently until the fruit is evenly coated. Pour this mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
- 3
In a separate medium bowl, prepare the crisp topping
- a.Whisk together the rolled oats, 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 cup brown sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon, and 1/2 tsp salt.
- 4
Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry topping ingredients
- a.Using your fingertips, a pastry blender, or two knives, cut the butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter still visible. Do not overmix.
- 5
Step 5
- a.Sprinkle the crisp topping evenly over the fruit filling in the baking dish.
- 6
Place the baking dish on a baking sheet to catch any drips
- a.Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the fruit filling is hot and bubbly and the topping is golden brown and crisp.
- 7
Step 7
- a.Remove from the oven and let the crisp cool on a wire rack for at least 15-20 minutes before serving. This allows the filling to set. Serve warm, optionally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
What to keep in mind.
5 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1Use very cold butter for the topping. This is the key to achieving a crisp, crumbly texture rather than a greasy one.
- 2A mix of apple varieties, like tart Granny Smith and sweet Honeycrisp, provides the best balance of flavor and texture.
- 3Don't overmix the topping. Stop when you have coarse crumbs; overworking it can develop the gluten and make it tough.
- 4Baking the crisp on a sheet pan will catch any potential drips from the bubbling fruit, making cleanup much easier.
- 5For extra crunch, add 1/2 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts to the topping mixture.
Adapt it for your goals.
Gluten-Free
Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking blend and use certified gluten-free rolled oats.
VeganVegan
Replace the unsalted butter with an equal amount of cold, solid coconut oil or a firm vegan butter substitute.
Nutty ToppingNutty Topping
Add 1/2 cup of chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds to the dry ingredients for the topping for added texture and flavor.
Spiced UpSpiced Up
Add 1/4 teaspoon of ground ginger and a pinch of ground cloves to the fruit filling for a warmer spice profile.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Rich in Dietary Fiber
The apples and old-fashioned oats are excellent sources of dietary fiber, which is essential for promoting digestive health and maintaining stable blood sugar levels.
Source of Antioxidants
Cranberries and apples are packed with antioxidants, such as Vitamin C and various flavonoids, which help protect the body's cells from damage caused by free radicals.
Provides Complex Carbohydrates
The rolled oats in the topping provide complex carbohydrates, which offer a slower, more sustained release of energy compared to the simple sugars in the dessert.
Frequently asked questions
One serving of this Apple Cranberry Crisp contains approximately 480-520 calories, depending on the exact size of the apples and serving portion. It is a rich dessert best enjoyed in moderation.