Caramel Apple Crisp

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When fall arrives, nothing is more comforting than the sweet aroma of baked apples, cinnamon, and buttery crumble topping. This Caramel Apple Crisp takes the classic dessert up a notch with a rich caramel drizzle that melts into the apples as they bake. The result? A perfectly balanced dessert with tender, spiced apples and a crisp oat topping, finished with gooey caramel. It’s simple to make, requires basic pantry ingredients, and is the perfect dessert for family dinners, Thanksgiving, or any autumn gathering. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream for a dessert that feels cozy and indulgent in every bite. Ingredients For the Apple Filling: 6 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji), peeled, cored, and sliced 2 tbsp lemon juice 1/2 cup granulated sugar 2 tbsp all-purpose flour 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1/4 tsp nutmeg 1/4 tsp salt 1/3 cup caramel sauce (plus more for drizzling) For the Crisp Topping: 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1/4 tsp salt 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted Preparation Steps Step 1: Preheat Oven Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray. Step 2: Prepare the Apples In a large bowl, toss sliced apples with lemon juice, sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Stir in caramel sauce until apples are evenly coated. Spread mixture in the baking dish. Step 3: Make the Topping In another bowl, mix oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add melted butter and stir until crumbly. Step 4: Assemble Sprinkle topping evenly over apples, covering completely. Step 5: Bake Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until apples are tender and topping is golden brown. Step 6: Finish with Caramel Drizzle with extra caramel sauce before serving for a gooey finish. Variation Salted Caramel Crisp: Use salted caramel sauce for a sweet-salty flavor. Nutty Version: Add pecans or walnuts to the topping for extra crunch. Boozy Twist: Toss apples with a splash of bourbon before baking. Mini Crisps: Bake in ramekins for individual servings. Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free flour and certified gluten-free oats. Cooking Notes Tart apples like Granny Smith balance the sweetness of caramel. Let crisp rest 10 minutes before serving so juices thicken. Warm caramel sauce makes the drizzle easier to pour. Serving Suggestions Serve warm with vanilla ice cream. Add whipped cream with a cinnamon sprinkle. Pair with hot apple cider for a cozy fall night. Perfect addition to Thanksgiving or holiday dessert tables. Tips Slice apples evenly so they cook at the same rate. For extra crunch, bake topping separately for 10 minutes and sprinkle over apples before serving. Store leftovers in the fridge up to 4 days; reheat in oven to restore crispness. Prep Time / Cooking Time / Total Time Prep Time: 20 minutes Cooking Time: 45 minutes Total Time: ~1 hour 5 minutes Nutritional Info (per serving, approx. 10 servings) Calories: 320 Protein: 3g Carbs: 54g Fat: 12g Sodium: 160mg FAQs Q1: Can I make Caramel Apple Crisp ahead of time? Yes, assemble and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Bake before serving. Q2: Can I freeze apple crisp? Yes, freeze baked crisp for up to 3 months. Reheat at 350°F until warm. Q3: What caramel sauce works best? Homemade or high-quality store-bought caramel both work. Salted caramel adds depth. Q4: Can I make this without oats? Yes, replace oats with extra flour and nuts for a streusel topping. Q5: How do I prevent soggy topping? Bake uncovered and let crisp cool slightly before serving. Conclusion This Caramel Apple Crisp is the perfect fall dessert—sweet, buttery, and topped with a golden crumble that pairs beautifully with gooey caramel. Simple enough for a weeknight and impressive enough for the holidays, it’s a dessert you’ll return to year after year. Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream and enjoy the ultimate taste of autumn.

When fall arrives, nothing is more comforting than the sweet aroma of baked apples, cinnamon, and buttery crumble topping. This Caramel Apple Crisp takes the classic dessert up a notch with a rich caramel drizzle that melts into the apples as they bake. The result? A perfectly balanced dessert with tender, spiced apples and a crisp oat topping, finished with gooey caramel.

It’s simple to make, requires basic pantry ingredients, and is the perfect dessert for family dinners, Thanksgiving, or any autumn gathering. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream for a dessert that feels cozy and indulgent in every bite.

Ingredients

For the Apple Filling:

  • 6 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji), peeled, cored, and sliced
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/3 cup caramel sauce (plus more for drizzling)

For the Crisp Topping:

  • 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

Preparation Steps

Step 1: Preheat Oven

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.

Step 2: Prepare the Apples

  • In a large bowl, toss sliced apples with lemon juice, sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Stir in caramel sauce until apples are evenly coated. Spread mixture in the baking dish.

Step 3: Make the Topping

  • In another bowl, mix oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add melted butter and stir until crumbly.

Step 4: Assemble

  • Sprinkle topping evenly over apples, covering completely.

Step 5: Bake

  • Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until apples are tender and topping is golden brown.

Step 6: Finish with Caramel

  • Drizzle with extra caramel sauce before serving for a gooey finish.

Variation

  • Salted Caramel Crisp: Use salted caramel sauce for a sweet-salty flavor.
  • Nutty Version: Add pecans or walnuts to the topping for extra crunch.
  • Boozy Twist: Toss apples with a splash of bourbon before baking.
  • Mini Crisps: Bake in ramekins for individual servings.
  • Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free flour and certified gluten-free oats.

Cooking Notes

  • Tart apples like Granny Smith balance the sweetness of caramel.
  • Let crisp rest 10 minutes before serving so juices thicken.
  • Warm caramel sauce makes the drizzle easier to pour.

Serving Suggestions

  • Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.
  • Add whipped cream with a cinnamon sprinkle.
  • Pair with hot apple cider for a cozy fall night.
  • Perfect addition to Thanksgiving or holiday dessert tables.

Tips

  • Slice apples evenly so they cook at the same rate.
  • For extra crunch, bake topping separately for 10 minutes and sprinkle over apples before serving.
  • Store leftovers in the fridge up to 4 days; reheat in oven to restore crispness.

Prep Time / Cooking Time / Total Time

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cooking Time: 45 minutes
  • Total Time: ~1 hour 5 minutes

Nutritional Info (per serving, approx. 10 servings)

  • Calories: 320
  • Protein: 3g
  • Carbs: 54g
  • Fat: 12g
  • Sodium: 160mg

FAQs

Q1: Can I make Caramel Apple Crisp ahead of time?

  • Yes, assemble and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Bake before serving.

Q2: Can I freeze apple crisp?

  • Yes, freeze baked crisp for up to 3 months. Reheat at 350°F until warm.

Q3: What caramel sauce works best?

  • Homemade or high-quality store-bought caramel both work. Salted caramel adds depth.

Q4: Can I make this without oats?

  • Yes, replace oats with extra flour and nuts for a streusel topping.

Q5: How do I prevent soggy topping?

  • Bake uncovered and let crisp cool slightly before serving.

Conclusion

This Caramel Apple Crisp is the perfect fall dessert—sweet, buttery, and topped with a golden crumble that pairs beautifully with gooey caramel. Simple enough for a weeknight and impressive enough for the holidays, it’s a dessert you’ll return to year after year. Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream and enjoy the ultimate taste of autumn.

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