**Formerly titled apple crumble – sorry! This is definitely more of an apple crisp**
As the air turns crisp and leaves don their vibrant autumn shades, there’s no better way to embrace the coziness of fall than by indulging in a warm and comforting dessert. Apple crisp, a quintessential autumn delight, has been a favorite for generations. Its simple yet delectable combination of tender apples and a crunchy, spiced topping makes it the perfect treat for any occasion. Join us on a journey to discover the magic of homemade apple crisp and learn how to create this timeless classic in your own kitchen.
The Beauty of Apples
Apples are at their prime during the fall season, making them the star of the show in this dessert. While you can use various types of apples for your apple crisp, some are better suited for baking than others. Varieties like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji apples offer a perfect balance of tartness and sweetness, ensuring a flavor explosion in every bite.
The Filling
To create the apple filling, you’ll need to peel and slice the apples and toss them with a mixture of sugar, spices, and a bit of lemon juice. Cinnamon is the classic spice choices for an apple crisp, adding a warm and comforting aroma to the dish. The lemon juice enhances the flavor of the apples and keeps them from turning brown.
The Crispy Topping
The crisp topping is where the real magic happens. It’s a combination of butter, oats, flour, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt. This mixture transforms into a golden, crunchy layer of bliss during baking. The oats provide a delightful texture that pairs perfectly with the soft, tender apples beneath.
Baking and Serving:
Once your apple crisp is assembled, it’s time to bake it to perfection. A hot oven is the key to achieving that beautifully browned, crispy topping and tender apples beneath. Typically, you’ll want to bake it at around 350°F (180°C) for 30-40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are soft and bubbly.
Apple crisp is best served warm, either on its own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream. The combination of hot and cold, sweet and slightly tart, and soft and crispy is nothing short of a taste sensation.
Variations:
While the classic apple crisp is always a crowd-pleaser, there are numerous ways to get creative and add your personal touch. Some popular variations include adding chopped nuts like pecans or almonds to the topping for extra crunch. You can also experiment with the fruit by combining apples with pears, berries, or even peaches for a unique twist.
Apple Crisp vs. Apple Crumble: What’s the Difference?
The primary difference between apple crisp and apple crumble lies in their toppings. Apple crisp features a topping made with a mixture of butter, oats, flour, brown sugar, and salt, resulting in a crispy and textured layer. On the other hand, apple crumble uses a simpler topping made of butter, flour, sugar, and sometimes a small amount of oats, creating a denser, more uniform crumbly layer atop the spiced apple filling.
Here’s what you’ll need to make this recipe:
Apple Crisp
Ingredients
Filling:
- 6 golden delicious apples
- 70 g sugar
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
Crumble:
- 80 g oats
- 120 g flour
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 80 g brown sugar
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 115 g butter melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven 350°F (180°C).
- Peel and chop the apples.
- In a large bowl mix together the apples, sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon and lemon juice. Transfer into a baking dish. Set aside.
- In the same bowl used for the apples, mix the crumble ingredients until it resembles wet sand.
- Spread the crumble mixture evenly over the apples.
- Cover with foil and bake for about 35 mins. Remove the foil and bake for another 15 minutes.