The Best Old-Fashioned Apple Crisp (with a Perfect Crumble Topping!)
A classic recipe for an old-fashioned apple crisp, perfect for a crowd. This dessert features a generous filling of fresh baking apples, such as McIntosh or Macoun, tossed with citrus zests, juices, sugar, and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. The fruit is covered with a rich, crumbly streusel topping made from flour, sugars, old-fashioned oatmeal, and cold butter. The crisp is then baked until the fruit filling is hot and bubbly and the topping is golden brown.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 10-12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- For the Filling:
- 5 pounds McIntosh or Macoun apples
- Grated zest of 1 orange
- Grated zest of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- For the Topping:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup oatmeal
- 1/2 pound (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, diced
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter a 9 by 14 by 2-inch oval baking dish.
- Prepare the Filling: Peel, core, and cut the apples into large wedges. In a large bowl, combine the apples with the orange zest, lemon zest, orange juice, lemon juice, 1/2 cup of sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Pour the apple mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- Prepare the Topping: In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine the flour, 3/4 cup of granulated sugar, the brown sugar, salt, and oatmeal.
- Mix on low speed, then add the diced cold butter and continue to mix until the mixture is crumbly and the butter is the size of peas.
- Sprinkle the topping evenly over the fruit in the baking dish.
- Bake: Place the baking dish on a sheet pan to catch any drips. Bake for 1 hour, or until the top is brown and the fruit is bubbly.
- Serve warm.
Notes
- An electric mixer with a paddle attachment is the recommended tool for making the topping, but it can also be made by cutting the butter in with a pastry blender or your fingers.
- Baking the crisp on a larger sheet pan is a helpful tip to prevent any bubbling fruit juices from spilling over into your oven.
- This dessert is best served warm, often with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
Find it online: https://www.eatswithsoul.com/apple-crisp/