Caramel Apple Crisp with Vanilla Ice Cream

Name: Caramel Apple Crisp with Vanilla Ice Cream
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: 6 medium apples (mix of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced (about 900 g total)); 1/4 cup granulated sugar (50 g); 1/4 cup light brown sugar (50 g); 1 tsp ground cinnamon (2 g); 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg (1 g); 1/4 tsp ground allspice (0.5 g); 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice (30 ml); 1 tbsp cornstarch (8 g); 1 cup old-fashioned oats (100 g); 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (65 g); 1/2 cup light brown sugar (packed (100 g)); 1/4 cup granulated sugar (50 g); 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon (2 g); 1/4 tsp salt (1.5 g); 1/2 cup 1 stick unsalted butter, cold and cubed (115 g); 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional (60 g)); Vanilla ice cream; Caramel sauce

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This Caramel Apple Crisp is a simple, comforting dessert that combines tender, spiced apples with a crunchy oat topping. Warm from the oven and finished with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream, it's a dessert everyone will love.

Apple crisp is a popular treat during fall and winter, especially around Thanksgiving and the holiday season. The combination of sweet, spiced apples and a golden, crumbly topping makes it a cozy dessert for family gatherings or special occasions.

This was inspired by my other recipe on this site, and pairs well with this amazing sidedish recipe. Contextual, in-content links are far more valuable than a group listed at the bottom of the post.

Ingredients

For the Filling

Apples peeled, cored, and thinly sliced, providing a sweet-tart and tender base for the filling.
Granulated sugar adds sweetness to balance the tartness of the apples.
Light brown sugar gives a deeper, caramel-like flavor to the filling.
Ground cinnamon adds warm, fragrant spice that complements the apples.
Ground nutmeg adds subtle earthy spice to enhance the overall flavor.
Ground allspice adds a hint of clove-like warmth to the mix.
Fresh lemon juice brightens the flavors and prevents the apples from browning.
Cornstarch thickens the apple mixture so the filling holds together while baking.

For the Topping

Old-fashioned oats add a hearty, chewy texture to the crisp topping.
All-purpose flour helps bind the topping while keeping it light and crumbly.
Light brown sugar gives a rich, caramel-like sweetness to the topping.
Granulated sugar adds extra sweetness and helps the topping brown nicely.
Ground cinnamon adds warm, aromatic spice that complements the apple filling.
Salt enhances the flavors and balances the sweetness.
Unsalted butter cold and cubed, creates a crumbly, golden topping when mixed in.
Chopped pecans or walnuts (optional) add crunch and a nutty flavor to the topping.
Vanilla ice cream adds creamy, cold sweetness that pairs perfectly with the warm apple crisp.
Caramel sauce provides a rich, buttery drizzle that enhances the flavor of the dessert.

See recipe card for quantities.

How to Make Caramel Apple Crisp

Ingredients being mixed in a medium bowl.

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x9-inch baking dish or similar-sized oven-safe dish.

In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, lemon juice, and cornstarch.

Ingredients being mixed together in a medium bowl.

Toss until the apples are evenly coated. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.

Ingredients being mixed in a small bowl surrounded by other ingredients on the counter.

In a medium bowl, mix together the oats, flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and salt.

A small bowl containing the topping mixture for apple crisp.

Add the cold butter cubes and, using a pastry cutter or your fingers, work the butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the chopped nuts if using.

Baking dish filled with apple crisp mixture and a bowl filled with topping ready for baking.

Sprinkle the topping evenly over the apple mixture.

Apple crisp fresh out of the oven in a baking dish with golden oat topping, surrounded by other ingredients.

Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender when pierced with a fork.

Remove the crisp from the oven and let it cool for 5-10 minutes to allow the juices to settle.

Scoop warm apple crisp into bowls and top with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Apple crisp served on a plate, topped with vanilla ice cream and drizzled with caramel sauce.

Drizzle with caramel sauce if desired.

Hint: Let the crisp cool slightly before scooping so the topping stays crunchy and the juices don't spill over.

Substitutions & Variations

Gluten-free: Use gluten-free oats and flour for the topping.
Nut-free: Omit the nuts or replace with seeds.
Extra flavor: Add a splash of bourbon or a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the apple mixture.
Fruit twist: Mix in pears or cranberries for a seasonal variation.

💭Crucial Success Tips

Make sure your butter for the topping is cold. This helps create the crumbly texture that makes a crisp topping perfect. Don't overmix or it will turn into a doughy texture instead of crumbs.

FAQ

Can I freeze it?

Yes, bake first, let it cool completely, then freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven before serving.

Can I use different types of apples?

Yes, any firm and slightly tart apples like Fuji, Braeburn, or Pink Lady work well.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

Not as written, but you can use gluten-free oats and flour for the topping to make it gluten-free.

Printable Recipe

How to Store Caramel Apple Crisp

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.

Winter

See more Winter →

📖 Recipe

Apple crisp served on a plate topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, with a spoon on the side.

Tina