Apple Cranberry Crisp Recipe

Introduction

Apple Cranberry Crisp is a delightful dessert that combines the tartness of cranberries with the sweet, tender apples beneath a golden, crunchy oat topping. Perfect for cozy evenings or holiday gatherings, this crisp is both comforting and festive.

Ingredients

• 6 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn), peeled, cored, and sliced into ¼-inch wedges
• 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (for filling)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (for filling)
• Pinch of salt (for filling)
• 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• ¾ cup packed brown sugar
• ½ cup all-purpose flour (for topping)
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon (for topping)
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
• Pinch of salt (for topping)
• ½ cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cubed
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or a deep 10-inch pie dish with butter or non-stick spray.
2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine the sliced apples and cranberries. Add granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, lemon juice, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Toss gently until the fruit is evenly coated. Adjust sugar if too tart.
3. Step 3: Pour the fruit mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
4. Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together oats, brown sugar, ½ cup flour, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
5. Step 5: Add cold, cubed butter to the oat mixture. Using a pastry cutter, fork, or fingers, work the butter into the dry ingredients until coarse crumbs with pea-sized clumps form. Stir in vanilla extract.
6. Step 6: Evenly sprinkle the oat topping over the fruit layer without pressing down, to keep it crunchy.
7. Step 7: Bake in the center of the oven for 45 to 55 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling around the edges. Cover loosely with foil if the topping browns too quickly.
8. Step 8: Let the crisp cool for 15 to 20 minutes before serving to allow the filling to set.

Tips & Variations

• Adjust sugar to balance the tartness of cranberries and apples to your taste.
• Slice apples uniformly (¼ inch thick) for even baking.
• Use cold butter to achieve a flaky, crunchy topping.
• Avoid overmixing the topping to prevent toughness.
• Glass or ceramic baking dishes distribute heat evenly for the best results.
• Let the crisp rest after baking for easier serving and thicker filling.

Storage

Store leftover Apple Cranberry Crisp covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual servings in the microwave or warm the whole dish in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 15 minutes to restore crispness.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen cranberries in this recipe?

Yes, frozen cranberries work well and do not need to be thawed before adding to the fruit mixture.

How do I prevent the topping from getting soggy?

Use cold butter and avoid pressing the topping down onto the fruit. Baking in a glass or ceramic dish also helps distribute heat evenly, keeping the topping crisp.

Apple Cranberry Crisp Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 134 reviews

• Author: Lily
• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 8 to 10 servings 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

A perfectly balanced Apple Cranberry Crisp combining tart, firm apples and tangy cranberries with a sweet, spiced oat topping for a warm, cozy dessert that’s easy to prepare and irresistible.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Fruit Filling

• 6 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn), peeled, cored, and sliced into ¼-inch wedges
• 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries (no need to thaw if frozen)
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Pinch of salt

Topping

• 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• ¾ cup packed brown sugar
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Pinch of salt
• ½ cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cubed
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure even baking right from the start.
2. Prepare the Baking Dish: Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or a deep 10-inch pie dish with butter or non-stick spray and set aside.
3. Prepare the Fruit Filling: Peel, core, and slice 6 apples into ¼-inch thick wedges and place them in a large mixing bowl. Add 2 cups of fresh or frozen cranberries to the apples.
4. Sweeten and Spice the Filling: Add ⅓ cup granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Gently toss everything to coat evenly. Taste and add an extra tablespoon of sugar if the filling tastes too tart.
5. Assemble the Fruit Layer: Pour the fruit mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly for uniform cooking.
6. Make the Topping: In a separate bowl, combine 1 cup rolled oats, ¾ cup packed brown sugar, ½ cup flour, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Whisk these dry ingredients together to blend.
7. Incorporate Butter: Add ½ cup cold, cubed unsalted butter to the dry topping mixture. Using a pastry cutter, fork, or your fingers, cut the butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces. Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract for added depth of flavor.
8. Add the Topping to Fruit: Sprinkle the oat topping evenly over the fruit layer without pressing it down to keep the topping light and crunchy.
9. Bake: Place the dish in the center of the oven and bake for 45 to 55 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the filling bubbles around the edges. Cover loosely with foil if the topping browns too fast.
10. Cool Before Serving: Let the crisp rest for 15–20 minutes to allow the filling to thicken for easier serving and better texture.

Notes

• Adjust sugar based on the tartness of your cranberries and apple variety.
• Cut apples uniformly to ensure even baking with a pleasing texture.
• Keep butter cold for a flaky, crisp topping; avoid warm or melted butter.
• Do not overmix the topping to prevent toughness.
• Using glass or ceramic baking dishes is preferred to dark metal pans to avoid over-browning.
• Allow the crisp to rest after baking to avoid a runny filling.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: Apple Cranberry Crisp, apple dessert, cranberry dessert, baked fruit dessert, oat topping, easy fall dessert, warm dessert