Cozy Caramel Apple Crisp Recipe: A Sweet Autumn Delight

Sweet autumn memories dance through my kitchen whenever I whip up this delightful caramel apple crisp that transforms simple ingredients into pure comfort.

Crisp apples from local orchards bring incredible depth to every spoonful.

Buttery crumbles melt into gooey caramel, creating a dessert that feels like a warm hug.

Seasonal spices whisper promises of cozy evenings and relaxed gatherings.

Cinnamon and nutmeg weave magic between tender fruit layers and crunchy topping.

My grandmother’s recipe inspired this version, adding a personal touch that makes each bite memorable.

You’ll want to savor every single morsel of this irresistible treat right down to the last delectable crumb.

Why Caramel Apple Crisp Is Fall In Every Bite

• Craft Irresistible Comfort: Dive into a dessert that blends classic apple crisp with luxurious caramel, creating a mouthwatering treat that warms hearts and satisfies sweet cravings.
• Master Gourmet Techniques: Learn professional-level caramel making and crisp preparation, transforming simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy dessert with easy-to-follow steps.
• Customize with Creativity: Experiment with different apple varieties, adjust spice levels, or add nuts to the topping, making this recipe a versatile canvas for personal culinary expression.
• Crowd-Pleasing Showstopper: Perfect for gatherings, potlucks, and family dinners, this dessert impresses guests while offering a nostalgic touch of homemade comfort.

Ingredients For Cozy Caramel Apple Crisp

• Apples: Fresh, crisp apples that hold their shape during baking and provide the main fruity foundation of the dessert.
• Lemon Juice: Prevents apple slices from browning and adds a subtle tangy brightness.

• Granulated Sugar: Creates the base for rich, golden caramel with deep sweetness.
• Water: Helps dissolve sugar and create caramel sauce.
• Heavy Cream: Adds richness and smooth texture to the caramel.
• Butter: Enhances caramel's flavor and creates a glossy, luxurious finish.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides warm, aromatic depth to the caramel sauce.
• Salt: Balances and intensifies the caramel's sweet flavor.

• All-Purpose Flour, Rolled Oats: Provide structure and textural contrast to the soft apple filling.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a crispy, golden topping.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness.
• Butter: Creates a rich, crumbly texture in the topping and helps it brown beautifully.

How To Bake Caramel Apple Crisp The Easy Way

Step 1: Prepare Luscious Apples

Peel and core your fresh apples, then slice them into thin, elegant wedges. Splash a bit of lemon juice over the slices to keep them looking bright and prevent any unwanted browning. Gently toss the apple slices to ensure they’re evenly coated.

Step 2: Develop Spiced Apple Base

Sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon over the apple slices, creating a warm and inviting mixture. Transfer the seasoned apples to a spacious baking dish, spreading them out evenly to create a delectable foundation for your crisp.

Step 3: Craft Silky Caramel Sauce

In a heavy saucepan, combine sugar and water over medium heat. Watch carefully as the mixture transforms into a rich amber color without stirring. This process takes about 8-10 minutes and requires a watchful eye.

Step 4: Blend Caramel Perfection

• Butter
• Vanilla extract
• Salt

Mix until the sauce becomes smooth and gloriously glossy.

Step 5: Create Crispy Topping

• Flour
• Rolled oats
• Granulated sugar
• Salt

Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to work cold butter into the dry ingredients. Continue until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs with small pea-sized bits.

Step 6: Assemble the Crisp

Spread the crispy topping evenly over the seasoned apple layer. Press lightly to help the topping adhere and create a beautiful golden surface.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the baking dish into a preheated 375°F oven. Bake for 40-45 minutes until the topping turns a gorgeous golden brown and the apple filling bubbles enticingly around the edges.

Step 8: Rest and Finish

Remove from the oven and let the crisp rest for 15 minutes. This allows the filling to set and become wonderfully cohesive.

Step 9: Serve with Caramel Finale

Drizzle warm caramel sauce generously over each serving. Ensure every portion gets a rich, decadent coating of the luscious sauce.

Helpful Hints For Better Caramel Apple Crisp

• Choose Crisp Apples: Select firm, tart varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for best texture and balanced sweetness in the dessert.
• Prevent Apple Browning: Toss apple slices with lemon juice immediately after cutting to maintain fresh appearance and prevent oxidation.
• Master Caramel Technique: Watch caramel closely while cooking, swirling pan gently instead of stirring to achieve perfect amber color without burning.
• Achieve Crumbly Topping: Use cold butter and work quickly when mixing crisp topping to create light, flaky crumb texture with distinct butter pieces.
• Serve at Perfect Temperature: Allow crisp to rest 15 minutes after baking, letting filling set and allowing caramel sauce to thicken slightly for optimal serving consistency.

Fun Ways To Change Up Caramel Apple Crisp

• Salted Caramel Crunch: Add crushed pecans or almonds to the crisp topping for extra texture and sprinkle flaky sea salt over caramel sauce for a gourmet touch.
• Spiced Autumn Blend: Mix ground nutmeg and ginger into apple mixture, replace some apples with pears, and use dark brown sugar for deeper flavor complexity.
• Maple Bourbon Infusion: Replace vanilla with bourbon in caramel sauce, drizzle pure maple syrup over topping before baking, and garnish with candied maple pecans.
• Berry Caramel Fusion: Layer fresh raspberries or blackberries between apple slices, create a mixed fruit base, and use brown butter in caramel for richer undertones.

What Tastes Great With Caramel Apple Crisp

• Pair with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Creamy, cold vanilla ice cream melts perfectly over warm caramel apple crisp, creating a heavenly temperature and flavor contrast that elevates each delicious bite.
• Complement with Salted Caramel Bourbon: Smooth bourbon with salted caramel notes intensifies the dessert's rich caramel undertones, adding depth and warmth to the apple crisp experience.
• Match with Cinnamon Whipped Cream: Lightly spiced whipped cream folded with ground cinnamon provides a silky, aromatic topping that harmonizes beautifully with the caramel and apple flavors, adding elegant complexity.

Storing Caramel Apple Crisp Without The Soggy Topping

• Store leftover caramel apple crisp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or lid to maintain freshness and prevent absorption of other food odors.
• Wrap the entire dish or individual portions in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes.
• Keep the crisp at room temperature for up to 2 hours after baking. For longer storage, transfer to the refrigerator to prevent bacterial growth and maintain texture.

Common Caramel Apple Crisp Questions

• Why use lemon juice on apples?

Lemon juice prevents apple slices from turning brown and oxidizing, keeping them fresh and maintaining their appetizing appearance during preparation.

• How do I know when caramel is ready?

Watch for a deep amber color and avoid stirring during cooking. The process takes 8-10 minutes, and the sugar will transform from clear to golden without burning.

• Can I make the crisp topping ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the crisp topping mixture in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days in an airtight container. Just ensure the butter remains cold for the best texture.

Caramel Apple Crisp Recipe

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4.8 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 75-65 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Sweet autumn whispers weave through this classic Caramel Apple Crisp, marrying tart Granny Smith apples with rich caramel depths. Buttery oat crumble crowns warm spiced fruit, promising comfort in each golden, cinnamon-kissed bite you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

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Fruit Base:

• 6 medium apples
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

Crisp Topping:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1/4 tsp salt

Caramel Sauce:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp salt

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Instructions

1. Peel, core, and slice apples into uniform thin wedges, then toss with lemon juice to prevent browning.
2. Sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon over apple slices, gently mixing to coat evenly, then transfer to a 9×13 inch baking dish.
3. Create caramel sauce by heating sugar and water in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat without stirring until mixture turns amber, approximately 8-10 minutes.
4. Carefully whisk heavy cream into caramel, stirring constantly to prevent burning, then add butter, vanilla, and salt, mixing until smooth and glossy.
5. Prepare crisp topping by combining flour, rolled oats, granulated sugar, and salt in a mixing bowl.
6. Cut cold butter into the dry ingredients using a pastry cutter or fingers until mixture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized bits.
7. Evenly distribute crisp topping over seasoned apple layer, covering completely and pressing lightly to adhere.
8. Bake in preheated 375°F oven for 40-45 minutes, until topping turns golden brown and apple filling bubbles around edges.
9. Remove from oven and let cool for 15 minutes to allow filling to set.
10. Drizzle warm caramel sauce generously over crisp just before serving, ensuring each portion gets a rich coating.

Notes

• Slice apples uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dessert.
• Prevent apple browning by quickly tossing with lemon juice, maintaining fresh appearance and preventing oxidation.
• Create perfect caramel by avoiding stirring and watching color carefully to prevent burning or bitter taste.
• Use cold butter when making crisp topping to achieve flaky, crumbly texture that adds delightful crunch.
• Substitute gluten-free flour for traditional flour to make recipe celiac-friendly without compromising taste.
• Reduce sugar content by using tart apples like Granny Smith and adding natural sweeteners like stevia for healthier version.
• Allow crisp to rest after baking so filling sets and becomes less runny, improving overall serving consistency.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 392
• Sugar: 34 g
• Sodium: 122 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 56 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 47 mg