Description
This Apple Cranberry Crisp is a delightful, warming dessert that combines tart cranberries and sweet, tender apples beneath a crunchy, buttery oat topping. Perfect for cozy gatherings or a comforting treat, this crisp offers a harmonious blend of flavors and textures, finished off with a sprinkle of cinnamon and nutmeg for a festive touch.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruit Filling
- 4 large apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and sliced
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
Oat Topping
- 3/4 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into small cubes
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9-inch baking dish or a similar-sized pan to prevent the crisp from sticking and to ensure easy serving.
- Mix the Fruit Filling: In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, cranberries, granulated sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cornstarch. Stir gently but thoroughly to coat the fruit evenly with the sugar and spices, which will help thicken the filling during baking. Transfer this mixture to the prepared baking dish.
- Prepare the Oat Topping: In a separate bowl, mix the oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add the cold cubed butter. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, blend the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture forms coarse crumbs. Stir in the chopped walnuts or pecans if using, for added texture and flavor.
- Assemble the Crisp: Evenly sprinkle the oat and butter topping over the fruit mixture in the baking dish, covering the fruit completely to create a crunchy crust once baked.
- Bake the Crisp: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the topping turns golden brown and the fruit filling is visibly bubbling around the edges, indicating that it is cooked through.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the crisp from the oven and let it cool for 10 to 15 minutes to set. Serve warm, optionally topped with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an extra indulgent touch.
Notes
- You can use either fresh or frozen cranberries depending on availability; no need to thaw if frozen.
- Substitute nuts with seeds or omit them for a nut-free version.
- For a gluten-free version, replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
- Adjust sugar quantities to suit your taste or based on the sweetness of the apples.
- Letting the crisp cool slightly before serving helps the filling to thicken, preventing it from being too runny.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
