Name: Old-Fashioned Easy Apple Crisp
Ingredients: 6 medium Golden Delicious apples – These provide a balanced sweetness without being too tart. Fuji or Honeycrisp are also great alternatives.; 2 tablespoons granulated sugar – Adds sweetness to the apples without overpowering them.; ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon – Brings warmth and depth to the filling.; 1½ teaspoons lemon juice – Brightens the flavors and prevents the apples from browning.; 1 cup light brown sugar – Adds sweetness and subtle caramel notes.; ¾ cup old-fashioned oats – These give the topping its signature crunch.; ¾ cup all-purpose flour – Helps bind the crumble together.; 1 teaspoon cinnamon – Enhances the warmth of the dessert.; Pinch of kosher salt – Balances the sweetness and enhances flavors.; ½ cup cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes – Cold butter is essential for creating a crumbly topping.

Description

There’s something truly special about making an Old-Fashioned Easy Apple Crisp. This dessert isn’t just about the taste—it’s about the experience. The comforting scent of cinnamon and baked apples brings back memories of crisp autumn days and family gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Apple Layer

6 medium Golden Delicious apples – These provide a balanced sweetness without being too tart. Fuji or Honeycrisp are also great alternatives.
2 tablespoons granulated sugar – Adds sweetness to the apples without overpowering them.
¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon – Brings warmth and depth to the filling.
1½ teaspoons lemon juice – Brightens the flavors and prevents the apples from browning.

For the Crisp Topping

1 cup light brown sugar – Adds sweetness and subtle caramel notes.
¾ cup old-fashioned oats – These give the topping its signature crunch.
¾ cup all-purpose flour – Helps bind the crumble together.
1 teaspoon cinnamon – Enhances the warmth of the dessert.
Pinch of kosher salt – Balances the sweetness and enhances flavors.
½ cup cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes – Cold butter is essential for creating a crumbly topping.

Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8 baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
Prepare the Apples: Peel, core, and chop the apples into evenly sized pieces. In a large bowl, toss the apples with the sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice until well coated. Spread them evenly across the prepared baking dish.
Make the Crisp Topping: In another bowl, combine the brown sugar, oats, flour, cinnamon, and salt. Add the cold butter cubes and, using a pastry cutter or your fingers, blend until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Assemble the Dish: Evenly sprinkle the crumble topping over the apple mixture, making sure to cover all the apples. Lightly press the topping down for even baking.
Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are bubbling.
Cool and Serve: Allow the crisp to cool for at least 10 minutes before serving. It’s delicious on its own or paired with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Notes

Apple Varieties: While Golden Delicious apples are recommended, combining different varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp adds complexity with sweet-tart balance.
Butter Temperature: Keep the butter cold to create a crumbly texture in the topping. If it softens, chill the mixture for a few minutes.
Scaling the Recipe: Easily double this recipe and bake in a 9×13 dish for larger crowds.
Texture Maintenance: For a crisp topping, reheat leftovers in the oven instead of the microwave to keep it crunchy.