Description
A warm, gooey delight packed with tender apples, buttery oats, and a luscious salted caramel drizzle! Perfect for cozy evenings or special gatherings.
Ingredients:
6 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and sliced
2 tbsp lemon juice
½ cup granulated sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
1 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
¾ cup all-purpose flour
½ cup brown sugar, packed
½ tsp salt
½ cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
½ cup salted caramel sauce (plus extra for drizzling)
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). (
5 minutes)
In a large bowl, toss the apple slices with lemon juice, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and 1 tbsp flour until evenly coated. (
7 minutes)
Transfer the apple mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly. (
2 minutes)
In another bowl, combine oats, ¾ cup flour, brown sugar, and salt. Add chilled butter cubes and mix with your fingers or a pastry cutter until the mixture becomes crumbly. (
8 minutes)
Sprinkle the crumbly topping evenly over the apples. (
2 minutes)
Bake in the preheated oven for 40–45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are bubbly and tender. (
45 minutes)
Drizzle generously with warm salted caramel sauce before serving. Serve hot with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for extra indulgence! (
3 minutes)
Prep Time: 25 minutes | Cooking Time: 45 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Kcal: 360 kcal | Servings: 8
#SaltedCaramel #AppleCrisp #CozyDessert #FallBaking
Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these detailed instructions for a perfect crisp. First, ensure your apples are uniformly sliced to about 1/4-inch thickness for even cooking. After tossing the apples with the lemon juice and dry ingredients, let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes; this draws out natural juices that will create the perfect saucy base. For the crumble topping, the key is to work the cold butter into the dry ingredients until you have pea-sized clumps and a sandy texture—avoid over-mixing into a paste. When assembling, gently press the crumble topping down over the apples to help it form a cohesive, golden crust. Bake on the middle rack and check for doneness when the filling is visibly bubbling around the edges.
Serving Suggestions
This dessert is incredibly versatile. For the ultimate experience, serve it warm in individual bowls. A scoop of high-quality vanilla bean ice cream is classic, but consider alternatives like cinnamon ice cream, a dollop of bourbon-spiked whipped cream, or a tangy crème fraîche to balance the sweetness. For a brunch option, pair a small portion with Greek yogurt. Leftovers are excellent for breakfast, reheated and served with a drizzle of cold cream.
How-to Summary
In summary: Prepare a spiced, sugary apple filling and place it in a baking dish. Create a buttery oat-flour crumble by cutting cold butter into dry ingredients. Sprinkle the crumble over the apples and bake until golden and bubbly. Finish with a generous drizzle of warm salted caramel sauce just before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this apple crisp ahead of time? Yes, you can assemble the crisp up to a day in advance. Cover tightly and refrigerate the unbaked dish. Add 5-10 minutes to the baking time when cooking from cold.
What are the best apples to use for baking? Granny Smith offers a tart contrast to the sweet topping, while Honeycrisp or Braeburn provide a sweeter, firmer bite. Using a mix of two varieties creates excellent depth of flavor.
How do I store and reheat leftovers? Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or the entire dish, covered with foil, in a 300°F oven until warmed through.
Can I freeze apple crisp? Absolutely. Bake and cool completely, then wrap the entire dish tightly in plastic and foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the oven.
My topping isn’t getting crispy. What went wrong? This usually happens if the butter was too warm or melted. Ensure your butter is very cold, and make sure your oven is fully preheated. Spreading the topping in an even, not too thick, layer also promotes even browning.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using Warm Butter: This leads to a greasy, dense topping instead of light, crisp crumbles.
- Over-mixing the Topping: Stop mixing once clumps form. Overworking develops gluten in the flour, making it tough.
- Skipping the Lemon Juice: The acid prevents the apples from browning and adds necessary brightness.
- Cutting Apples Too Thin or Thick: Uneven or overly thin slices will turn to mush; overly thick slices won’t soften properly.
- Adding Caramel Before Baking: Drizzling the salted caramel sauce after baking preserves its flavor and texture.
Conclusion
This Salted Caramel Apple Crisp is the epitome of comforting, crowd-pleasing dessert. With its tender, spiced apples, buttery oat crumble, and rich caramel finish, it’s deceptively simple to make yet feels special. By following the step-by-step guide and heeding the common pitfalls, you’re guaranteed a flawless result every time. Perfect for any occasion, it’s a recipe that will quickly become a cherished staple in your baking repertoire.