I’m Julia, the youngest of my sisters and a big fan of dessert. I especially love Apple Crisp. You see, crisp has a way of making me feel like I’m getting away with something extra special. Crisp could just be apples in theory, but apple crisp is much more than that. It’s buttery oatmeal on the bottom, crispy cinnamon sugar topping, and layers and layers of sweet apples.
Warm Caramel Apple Crisp Recipe
We have lived in our house for three years. When we moved in, the house had been empty for quite some time and the backyard was completely overgrown. Shortly after moving in, we discovered that we had a cherry tree and plum tree in this overgrown “jungle” and we have enjoyed eating them for the past few years. Well, about three weeks ago, my 6 year old daughter came into the house yelling, “One of the plum trees makes apples!” We headed out back and sure enough- tucked in the back corner of the yard, there was an apple tree loaded with perfect gala apples. Needless to say, we have had so many apples! We are literally eating apples for every. single. meal.
I love apple crisp recipes, but my husband isn’t crazy about them. He does, however, love caramel apples. So, I took my favorite apple crisp recipe, poured caramel ice cream topping all over it and the end product was a match made in heaven! You’ll have to try it for yourself!
Serves: 12
WARM CARAMEL APPLE CRISP RECIPE
I took my favorite apple crisp recipe, poured caramel ice cream topping all over it and the end product was a match made in heaven! You’ll have to try it for yourself!
Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 50 mins
Total Time 1 hr 10 mins
INGREDIENTS
- 3 cups old fashioned oats
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ cups light brown sugar packed
- 1½ teaspoons cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon cloves
- 1 cup butter cold and cut into pieces
- 8 cups thinly sliced apples
- 16 ounces caramel ice cream topping
- 1 cup apple juice divided
- additional cinnamon to sprinkle on apples
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Grease a 9×13″ baking pan using nonstick cooking spray.
- Sprinkle apples with a light dusting of cinnamon.
- In a bowl, combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Once mixed together, cut in the cold butter. Press half of the oat mixture into your greased pan.
- Top with half of the sliced apples and half of the jar of caramel.
- Sprinkle 1 cup of the remaining oats on top.
- Repeat layers, layering the remaining apples, remaining caramel sauce, and remaining oats. Pour 1/2 cup of the apple juice all over the crisp.
- Place pan in the oven and bake uncovered for about 30 minutes.
- Pull the pan out, pour the remaining apple juice over the top, and stick back in the oven for 15-20 minutes (you will want to make sure that your apples are done- the thinner you cut them, they quicker they will bake).
- Remove from the oven and serve warm.
NOTES
- This is amazing with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce on top!
NUTRITION
Calories: 542 kcal · Carbohydrates: 96 g · Protein: 6 g · Fat: 17 g · Saturated Fat: 10 g · Trans Fat: 1 g · Cholesterol: 41 mg · Sodium: 278 mg · Potassium: 280 mg · Fiber: 5 g · Sugar: 38 g · Vitamin A: 553 IU · Vitamin C: 4 mg · Calcium: 71 mg · Iron: 2 mg
Easy Apple Crisp
This Easy Apple Crisp is a fall comfort food classic for a reason. The warm baked apples and crisp, buttery topping are perfection. Add a scoop of ice cream and caramel sauce for an extra special treat.
Making this recipe costs right around $5.00! For $5.38, you can make six servings, which is only $0.90 per serving.
This recipe will take you back to your Grandma’s kitchen table. The smell alone that fills your kitchen as it is baking is heavenly. Fresh juicy apples are baked until tender, covered in a crispy oat topping. Serve it warm with a scoop of ice cream, and it will give you all the Fall season feels.
The best part about this recipe is just how easy it is to make! We take an old-fashioned recipe and simplify it so you can prep it in just ten minutes. It really is the perfect homestyle comfort food on a crisp Fall day.
Apple Crisp is perfect for movie nights at home, dessert for company, or just because you are craving that golden brown buttery topping over the tangy cinnamon and nutmeg-infused apples.
INGREDIENTS AND COST
RECIPE COST: $5.38
PRICE PER SERVING: $0.90
- 6 medium Granny Smith apples – $3.36
- ½ cup quick-cooking oats – $0.22
- ¾ cup light brown sugar – $0.36
- ½ cup all-purpose flour – $0.10
- 2 teaspoons apple pie spice – $0.54
- ½ cup unsalted butter – $0.80
INSTRUCTIONS
- First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and butter a square baking dish.
- Next, slice the apples and place them in the baking dish.
- Make the topping and spoon it over the apples.
- Finally, bake for 25-30 minutes and serve warm with ice cream and caramel sauce (both optional).
RECIPE VARIATIONS AND SUBSTITUTIONS
- If you don’t have apple pie spice, you can use 1 ¼ teaspoon cinnamon and ¾ teaspoon nutmeg.
- Sometimes we add ½ cup of chopped and toasted walnuts or pecans to the topping to add a nice nutty flavor to the topping.
- You can serve this with vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce, butterscotch sauce, or whipped cream.
- We prefer using Granny Smith apples in this recipe, but you can use Goldn Delicious, Fuji, or any other firm apple as well.
STORAGE AND REHEATING TIPS
Serve: Serve warm or at room temperature with ice cream, caramel sauce, and whipped topping. After about two hours, you will need to store the apple crisp in the refrigerator.
Store: Cover and store the apple crisp in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
Freeze: Once cooled, cover with two layers of plastic wrap and foil and freeze for 1-2 months.
Defrost: Defrost at room temperature for 3-5 hours or overnight in the refrigerator.
Reheat: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and heat for 10-25 minutes or until heated through.
COOK’S TOOLS
- 8×8 baking dish
- apple peeler corer
- measuring cups
- medium mixing bowl
- measuring spoons
Recipe FAQ’s
Is apple crisp the same as apple crumble?
The two dishes are very similar. Both have a layer of fruit followed by a streusel-like topping that is then baked. However, apple crisp has an oat topping, while a crumble does not use oats.
What are the best apples to use in apple crisp?
We prefer to use Granny Smith Apples for this recipe because they are firm, crisp, and bake well. However, you can also use other varieties. Golden Delicious and Fuji are two examples of apples that would also work well in this recipe.
Why is my apple crisp topping not crispy?
It’s all about the butter! Do not skimp on the butter, as that is what makes the topping crispy while baking. If you notice some dry spots while baking, add a bit of butter to those spots one tablespoon at a time.
GET KIDS INVOLVED
Ages 2-3: Practice counting skills with your child by counting the apple slices as they place them in the baking dish.
Ages 4-5: Have your child help measure and mix the topping mixture. They can then spoon it over the apples.
Ages 6-8: Your child can peel and core the apples for you using an apple peeler corer. Our kids love helping with this step!
Ages 9-11: Supervise them while they prepare the entire recipe. Remember to have them read it twice before beginning the recipe.
Ages 12+: Let them prepare the entire recipe, unsupervised, while you do the happy dance in the corner!
BUDGET TIPS
While you can buy apples year-round and make this dessert anytime, Fall is a great time to buy apples as they are always on sale.