Picture the aroma of warm cinnamon mingling with the tartness of cranberries and the sweetness of baked apples wafting through your kitchen.
This Apple Cranberry Crisp is a delight to make, offering a cozy and comforting experience with every bite.
As the crisp bakes, the oats and brown sugar meld into a golden topping, enveloping the bubbling fruit beneath.
Let’s bring this heartwarming dessert to life and savor each delicious moment.
Kitchen Tools Required
- 1 Oven
- 1 9×13-inch Baking dish
- 1 Mixing bowl
- 1 Measuring cup set
- 1 Measuring spoon set
- 1 Knife
- 1 Cutting board
- 1 Wooden spoon
Ingredients
- 6 cups Apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
- 1 cup Cranberries, fresh or frozen
- 3/4 cup Granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon All-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
- 1 cup Rolled oats
- 1/2 cup Brown sugar, packed
- 1/3 cup All-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup Butter, unsalted, melted
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt
Cook & Prep Time
To efficiently manage your time while preparing and cooking Apple Cranberry Crisp, you can follow this timeline:
Timeline for Apple Cranberry Crisp
- Reading and Gathering Ingredients (5 minutes)
- Briefly read through the entire recipe to understand the steps.
- Gather all the necessary ingredients and equipment.
- Prep Work (20 minutes)
- Preheat Oven (2 minutes)
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare Apples and Cranberries (10 minutes)
- Peel, core, and slice 6 cups of apples.
- Measure 1 cup of cranberries.
- Mix Fruit Mixture (5 minutes)
- In a mixing bowl, combine the apples, cranberries, 3/4 cup of granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon of flour, and 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
- Toss the ingredients to coat the fruit well.
- Prepare Topping (3 minutes)
- In a separate bowl, mix 1 cup of rolled oats, 1/2 cup of packed brown sugar, 1/3 cup of flour, 1/2 cup of melted butter, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt until crumbly.
- Assembling and Baking (40 minutes)
- Assemble (5 minutes)
- Transfer the fruit mixture to a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Evenly sprinkle the crumbly topping over the fruit mixture.
- Bake (35 minutes)
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven.
- Bake for 40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the fruit is bubbling.
- Resting (10 minutes)
- Allow the crisp to rest for 10 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld and the dish cool slightly.
- Serving (Optional)
- Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra indulgent treat.
Adjust the timing as needed based on your pace and any additional garnishes you might want to add.
Recipe Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a mixing bowl, combine apples, cranberries, granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon of flour, and ground cinnamon.
Toss the fruit mixture until the apples and cranberries are well coated.
Transfer the fruit mixture to a 9×13-inch baking dish.
In a separate bowl, mix rolled oats, brown sugar, 1/3 cup of flour, melted butter, and salt.
Stir the topping mixture until crumbly.
Sprinkle the topping evenly over the fruit mixture in the baking dish.
Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and the fruit is bubbling.
Allow the crisp to rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Serving Tips
- Vanilla Ice Cream: Serve a scoop on top for a creamy, cool contrast to the warm crisp.
- Whipped Cream: Add a dollop for a light and fluffy complement to the dessert.
- Caramel Sauce: Drizzle over the crisp for added sweetness and a luxurious finish.
- Chopped Nuts: Sprinkle toasted pecans or walnuts for extra crunch and flavor depth.
- Fresh Mint Leaves: Garnish with a sprig for a pop of color and a hint of freshness.
Storage
Store Apple Cranberry Crisp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes to restore the crisp topping.
Freezing
To freeze Apple Cranberry Crisp, allow it to cool completely.
Then cover tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap.
Store in an airtight container for up to three months.
Reheating
To reheat Apple Cranberry Crisp, warm in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes until heated through.
Alternatively, microwave individual portions for 1-2 minutes.
Avoid overheating to maintain texture.
Final Thoughts
Apple Cranberry Crisp is a delightful dessert that perfectly balances tart and sweet flavors.
It’s an easy-to-make American classic that’s certain to be a hit at any gathering.
For best results, use a mix of tart and sweet apple varieties and adjust the sugar to taste.
For added texture and flavor, consider incorporating chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts into the topping.
Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an indulgent treat that will delight your taste buds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use Dried Cranberries Instead of Fresh or Frozen?
You can use dried cranberries, but hydrate them first. Soak them in warm water for 10 minutes, then drain. This prevents them from absorbing moisture from the crisp. Adjust the sugar to balance their sweetness if needed.
How Can I Make This Recipe Gluten-Free?
To make this gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Confirm oats are certified gluten-free. Follow the original instructions, maintaining precise measurements and techniques, to achieve a delicious and safe dessert for everyone.
What Apples Are Best for Apple Cranberry Crisp?
You should choose a mix of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp apples for the best apple cranberry crisp. Granny Smith provides tartness, while Honeycrisp offers sweetness and a firm texture, ensuring a balanced flavor and perfect consistency.
Is There a Vegan Substitute for Butter in the Topping?
You can substitute the butter with coconut oil or vegan margarine. Melt it before mixing with oats, brown sugar, flour, and salt. Confirm all ingredients are well combined for a crumbly, golden topping. Adjust sweetness as needed.
Can the Crisp Be Made Ahead of Time and Baked Later?
You can prepare the dish ahead. Assemble it, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Before baking, let it sit at room temperature for 20 minutes. This guarantees even baking and maintains texture.
Apple Cranberry Crisp
Equipment
- 1 Oven
- 1 9×13 inch baking dish
- 1 Mixing bowl
- 1 measuring cup set
- 1 measuring spoon set
- 1 Knife
- 1 Cutting board
- 1 Wooden spoon
Ingredients
- 6 cups Apples peeled, cored, and sliced
- 1 cup Cranberries fresh or frozen
- 3/4 cup Granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon All-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
- 1 cup Rolled oats
- 1/2 cup Brown sugar packed
- 1/3 cup All-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup Butter unsalted, melted
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a mixing bowl, combine apples, cranberries, granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon of flour, and ground cinnamon.
- Toss the fruit mixture until the apples and cranberries are well coated.
- Transfer the fruit mixture to a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a separate bowl, mix rolled oats, brown sugar, 1/3 cup of flour, melted butter, and salt.
- Stir the topping mixture until crumbly.
- Sprinkle the topping evenly over the fruit mixture in the baking dish.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and the fruit is bubbling.
- Allow the crisp to rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
