Apple Cranberry Crisp Recipe

Introduction

Apple Cranberry Crisp is a delightful combination of tart cranberries and crisp apples baked under a golden, crunchy oat topping. This comforting dessert balances sweetness with warm spices, perfect for cozy evenings or festive gatherings.

Ingredients

• 6 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn), peeled, cored, and sliced
• 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 ground cinnamon (for topping)
• ¼ teaspoon ground 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) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or a deep 10-inch pie dish.
2. Step 2: Peel, core, and slice the apples into ¼-inch thick wedges, then place them in a large mixing bowl.
3. Step 3: Rinse cranberries if fresh (no need to thaw if frozen) and add them to the apples.
4. Step 4: Add granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, lemon juice, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, and a pinch of salt to the fruit. Toss gently until coated. Taste and add more sugar if needed.
5. Step 5: Spread the fruit mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
6. Step 6: In a separate bowl, whisk together oats, brown sugar, ½ cup flour, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
7. Step 7: Add cold cubed butter to the oat mixture. Use a pastry cutter, fork, or fingers to blend until coarse crumbs with some pea-sized clumps form. Stir in vanilla extract.
8. Step 8: Evenly sprinkle the topping over the fruit without pressing down to keep it light and crunchy.
9. Step 9: Bake in the center of the oven for 45 to 55 minutes until the topping is golden and the filling is bubbly. Cover with foil if the topping browns too quickly.
10. Step 10: Let the crisp cool for 15–20 minutes before serving to allow the filling to set.

Tips & Variations

• Adjust sugar amounts to balance the natural tartness of the cranberries and apples.
• Use firm, tart apples to ensure the filling holds its shape during baking.
• For extra crunch, sprinkle chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans over the topping before baking.
• Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for a classic touch.

Storage

Store leftover crisp covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm the entire dish in a 350°F oven for 15 minutes. The topping will regain its crispness when reheated in the oven.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen cranberries for this recipe?

Yes, frozen cranberries work well and can be added directly without thawing. Just be mindful that frozen fruit may release more liquid during baking.

What apples are best for apple crisp?

Choose firm, tart varieties such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn. They maintain their texture and balance the sweetness of the topping.

Apple Cranberry Crisp Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 57 reviews

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

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Description

A warm, comforting Apple Cranberry Crisp featuring a perfect balance of tart cranberries and sweet apples topped with a crunchy oat and brown sugar crumble. This oven-baked dessert delivers layers of flavor and texture, combining tender fruit filling spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg with a golden, buttery topping, ideal for cozy gatherings and festive occasions.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Fruit Filling

• 6 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn), peeled, cored, and sliced ¼-inch thick
• 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Pinch of salt

Crisp 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 throughout the process.
2. Prepare the Baking Dish: Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or a deep 10-inch pie dish using butter or non-stick spray and set aside.
3. Peel and Slice Apples: Peel, core, and slice 6 medium apples into ¼-inch thick wedges. Place the sliced apples into a large mixing bowl.
4. Add Cranberries: Rinse 2 cups of fresh or frozen cranberries (no need to thaw if frozen) and add them to the bowl with the apples.
5. 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 to the fruit. Gently toss until the mixture is evenly coated. Taste and add an additional tablespoon of sugar if the filling is too tart. Pour the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
6. Make the Topping: In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 cup old-fashioned oats, ¾ cup packed brown sugar, ½ cup all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, and a pinch of salt until well combined.
7. Incorporate the Butter: Add ½ cup cold unsalted butter cut into small cubes. Using a pastry cutter, fork, or fingers, work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces. Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract for enhanced flavor.
8. Add the Topping: Sprinkle the oat mixture evenly over the fruit filling without pressing down to maintain a crunchy texture.
9. Bake Until Golden and Bubbling: Place the baking dish in the center of the oven and bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling around the edges. Cover loosely with aluminum foil if the topping browns too quickly.
10. Cool Slightly Before Serving: Allow the apple cranberry crisp to rest for 15 to 20 minutes after baking to let the filling set, making it easier to serve.

Notes

• Adjust the sugar in the filling according to the tartness of cranberries and sweetness of apples to balance flavors.
• Use old-fashioned rolled oats for the topping to achieve a chewy and crisp texture; avoid instant oats.
• Uniformly slice apples to ensure even cooking throughout the crisp.
• Cover the crisp loosely with foil if the topping begins to brown too quickly during baking.
• Allow the crisp to cool before serving to prevent the filling from being too runny.

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

Keywords: apple cranberry crisp, baked fruit dessert, oatmeal crisp, fall dessert, holiday dessert