Best Apple Crisp with Cinnamon

There’s something undeniably comforting about the sweet aroma of apples mingled with cinnamon wafting through the kitchen. And when those delicious scents signal the making of a delightful dessert, you know it’s apple crisp time! This Apple crisp with cinnamon is a, heartwarming dessert that brings together the wholesome goodness of juicy apples and the irresistible crunch of a buttery, cinnamon-infused topping. It’s an embodiment of simplicity and indulgence. Apple crisp encapsulates the essence of homemade goodness. It marries the tartness of tender apples with a heavenly mix of cinnamon, sugar, and a tantalisingly crispy topping. This beloved dessert not only warms the soul but also tantalises the taste buds with its perfect blend of textures and flavours.

Whether enjoyed on a crisp autumn evening or as a comforting treat on a chilly winter day. Apple crisp is a timeless favourite that never fails to bring joy to the table. As it bakes, the aroma permeates the air. Promising a dessert that’s not just a treat for the taste buds but a comforting embrace for the soul. Whether it’s served steaming hot or at room temperature it’s delicious. Serve it with a dollop of creamy vanilla ice cream or a splash of custard, apple crisp is a timeless delight that beckons with every spoonful.

Difference Between Apple Crisp and Apple Crumble

While apple crisp and apple crumble might seem quite similar, there’s a slight distinction between the two beloved desserts. Both feature a fruit base—usually apples—that’s topped with a mixture of flour, sugar, and butter. However, the main difference lies in the topping. A traditional apple crisp often includes oats, creating a more textured, crispy topping. On the other hand, an apple crumble typically lacks oats and tends to have a more streusel-like, crumbly topping. The choice between the two often comes down to personal preference for that perfect combination of fruit and crunch. Whether you prefer the oats in a crisp or the finer crumble of a crumble, both desserts offer a delightful taste of homey sweetness.

What are the Best Apples to Use for Apple Crisp ??

The best apples for making apple crisp are those that strike a balance between sweetness and tartness while holding their shape well during baking. Here are some excellent choices:

Tart Apples

1. Granny Smith: Known for their tartness, these apples hold their shape wonderfully when baked. Their tart flavour contrasts beautifully with the sweet crisp topping.
2. Kissabel: These apples are red inside, and have a tartness which goes perfectly with this dessert.
3. Braeburn: Firm and crisp, Braeburn apples offer a pleasant balance of sweet and tangy flavours, making them a great choice for apple crisp.
4. Jonagold: A cross between Jonathan and Golden Delicious, Jonagold apples combine the best of both worlds: sweetness and a hint of tartness. They maintain their firmness when baked.
5. Cortland: These apples are slightly tart and hold their shape well, making them a reliable option for apple crisp.

Sweet Apples

1. Honeycrisp: These apples offer a perfect balance of sweetness, adding depth of flavour to your crisp. They retain their juiciness and texture even after baking.
2. Fuji:Known for their firmness and crisp texture, Fuji apples boast a pleasingly sweet and refreshing taste. They’re excellent for cooking. They hold their shape well when baked, and impart a mild, honey-like sweetness to dishes.
3. Royal Gala: With their bright red and yellow skin, Royal Gala apples offer a delightful balance between sweetness and tartness. These apples are juicy and aromatic, making them a popular choice for this dish.
4. Jazz: Jazz apples are a lively blend of sweet and tangy flavours with a crunchy texture. Their distinctive taste is a harmonious mix of sweetness and acidity, making them perfect for baking.

While these are some preferred choices, feel free to mix different apple varieties for a more complex flavour profile in your apple crisp. Combining tart and sweet apples often results in a more nuanced and flavourful dessert.

Ingredients Used to Make the Best Apple Crisp with Cinnamon :

• Apples (Granny Smith or Kissable (red inside), Sweeter Variety): These apples offer a crisp texture and a slightly tart taste, ideal for baking. Combining Granny Smith or as in todays recipe kissable apples with sweeter apple varieties brings a balanced flavour profile to the dish.
• Light or Dark Brown Sugar: This sugar has a hint of molasses, adding a subtle caramel-like flavour to the apple filling and the crisp topping.
• Granulated Sugar: A pantry staple that sweetens both the apple filling and the crisp topping, providing the necessary sweetness to balance the tartness of the apples.
• Corn Starch and Plain Flour: Used as thickeners in the apple filling, these ingredients help absorb excess liquid released by the apples during baking, creating a thicker, syrupy consistency.
• Ground Cinnamon: A quintessential spice that infuses warmth and aroma, enhancing the apple filling with its sweet and woody flavour.
• Nutmeg Powder: Adds a warm, nutty taste and complements the cinnamon, enhancing the overall spiciness of the dish.
• Ground Cloves: These impart a rich, aromatic flavour with a slightly sweet and peppery undertone, contributing to the complexity of spices in the apple filling.
• Hint of Salt: Enhances the flavours in the dish and helps balance the sweetness while also amplifying other tastes present.

For the Crisp Topping

• Butter, Cut Into Cubes: Provides richness and flavour, essential for achieving a buttery and crispy topping when combined with other ingredients.
• Old-Fashioned Oats: These oats contribute to the texture, adding a hearty and crunchy element to the crisp topping.
• Plain Flour: Combined with oats, it forms the base of the topping, providing structure and binding the other ingredients together.
• Light Brown Sugar and Dark Brown Sugar: Add sweetness to the crisp topping, and contributes a subtle molasses flavour.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall taste of the topping.
• Ground Cinnamon: Similar to its use in the apple filling, it adds warmth and flavour to the topping, complementing the spiced apples underneath.
• Chopped Almonds: (optional) Add

Each of these ingredients plays a crucial role in crafting the layers of flavours and textures that make a classic apple crisp with cinnamon so delightful.

How to Make the Best Apple Crisp with Cinnamon

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 175°C. Grease a baking dish or an oven-safe skillet.
2. Prepare the Apple Filling: In a large mixing bowl, combine the sliced apples with light brown sugar, granulated sugar, corn starch, flour, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, and a pinch of salt. Toss until the apples are evenly coated with the mixture.
3. Make the Crisp Topping: In another bowl, mix together the oats, flour, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, salt, chopped almonds and ground cinnamon. Add the cold, cubed butter. Using your hands combine the ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside.
4. Assemble the Crisp: Spread the prepared apple mixture evenly in the greased baking dish or skillet. Add ¼ cup of water and mix well. Now, sprinkle the crisp topping over the apples, covering them completely.
5. Bake the Apple Crisp: Place the baking dish or skillet in the preheated oven. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until the topping is golden brown. And the apple filling is bubbling around the edges.
6. Serve: Once baked, remove the apple crisp from the oven and allow it to cool for a few minutes. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce, if desired.

Helpful Tips and Tricks to Make the Best Apple Crisp with Cinnamon

1. Apple Selection: Choose a mix of apples for a complex flavour profile. Combine tart varieties like Granny Smith with sweeter ones like Honeycrisp or Fuji for a well-rounded taste.
2. Slice Consistency: Aim for uniform apple slices to ensure even cooking. Thicker slices may need more baking time, while thinner slices may cook faster.
3. Spice Balance: Adjust the amount of spices according to your taste preferences. Taste the apple mixture before baking and add more cinnamon, nutmeg, or cloves if desired.
4. Thickening Agents: Corn starch and flour help thicken the juices released by the apples during baking. Toss the apples thoroughly with these ingredients for an evenly thickened filling.
5. Topping Texture: For a varied texture in the crisp topping, mix the ingredients until they resemble coarse crumbs. Don’t overmix; some larger butter pieces will create a more crumbly texture.
6. Butter Temperature: Use cold butter when making the topping. Cold butter helps create a crispy and crumbly texture as it melts during baking.
7. Resting Time: Allow the apple crisp to cool slightly before serving. This helps the filling set and makes it easier to portion.
8. Serving Suggestions: Serve the apple crisp warm. Pair it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce for an extra indulgence.
9. Storage: Store any leftover apple crisp in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat individual servings in the oven or microwave for a delightful treat later.

By keeping these tips in mind, you’ll be able to create a delightful apple crisp with a perfect balance of flavours and textures, ensuring a comforting dessert for any occasion.

Looking for More Dessert Recipes? Here are few of my favourites

1. Chocolate Brownies
2. Date and Walnut Cake
3. Easy Raspberry Lychee Tiramisu
4. Pistachio Olive Oil Tea Cakes with Lemon and Rose

If you tried this recipe or any other recipe on our blog let us know how liked it by leaving a comment/rating below! Be sure to follow along on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook for even more amazing recipes!!

Best Apple Crisp with Cinnamon

Serves: 6-8 Prep Time: 15 Minutes Cooking Time: 40 Minutes 40 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Rating: 5.0/5

( 5 voted )

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Ingredients

For the Apple Filling:

• • 6 cups of peeled, cored, and sliced apples (a mix of Kissable,  Granny Smith and sweeter apple varieties)
  • 2 tsp lemon juice
  • ¼ cup light brown or dark brown sugar
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar 
  • 1.5 tbsp all-purpose/plain flour
  • 1 tbsp corn starch 
  • 1 tbsp cinnamon powder
  • ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
  • pinch of ground cloves
  •  ¾ tsp salt 
  • ¼ cup water 
  • 9"x 13" Baking Dish 

For the Crisp Topping:

•  ¾ cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into small cubes
• 1 cup old-fashioned oats
•  ¾ cup all-purpose/plain flour
• ⅓  cup light brown sugar
• ⅓  cup dark brown sugar 
• 1 tbsp cinnamon powder
• pinch of nutmeg 
• ¼ tsp salt 
• 2-3 tbsp chopped almonds (optional)

method

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 175°C. Grease a 9"x13" baking dish or an oven-safe skillet. 
2. Make the sugar Mixture: In a small bowl add the light brown sugar, granulated sugar, corn starch, flour, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, and salt. Mix well and keep aside. 
3. Prepare the Apples: Peel and core the apples before slicing into thin ¼ ″ slices. 
4. Prepare the Apple Filling: In a large mixing bowl, add the sliced apples, and the sugar mixture and toss to combine. Toss until the apples are evenly coated with the mixture.  Set aside.
5. Make the Crisp Topping: In another bowl, mix together the oats, flour, light brown sugar, dark brown sugar, salt, almonds, ground cinnamon and nutmeg. Add the cold, cubed butter and using your hands to combine the ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside.
6. Assemble the Crisp: Spread the prepared apple mixture evenly in the greased baking dish or skillet along with ¼ cup of water and arrange in an even layer. Sprinkle the crisp topping over the apples, covering them completely.
7. Bake the Apple Crisp: Place the baking dish or skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes or until the topping is golden brown, and the apple filling is bubbling around the edges.
8. Serve: Once baked, remove the apple crisp from the oven and allow it to cool for a few minutes. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce, if desired.

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