If you’re craving a dessert that perfectly balances tart apples with rich, buttery sweetness, this Caramel Apple Crisp Recipe is exactly what you need. Imagine tender, cinnamon-spiced Granny Smith apples baked under a golden, crunchy oat topping, all drizzled with luscious caramel sauce. It’s a cozy, crowd-pleasing treat that feels like a warm hug in every bite. Whether it’s a crisp fall evening or any time you want to impress with a home-baked dessert, this recipe is a timeless favorite that’s both simple to make and utterly irresistible.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting the ingredients right is the first step to making a memorable Caramel Apple Crisp Recipe. Each ingredient plays a crucial role—from the tart apple base to the sweet, crunchy topping and that dreamy drizzle of caramel that brings it all together.
- Granny Smith apples: These apples give the crisp a perfect tangy bite that stands up beautifully to the sweet topping.
- Granulated sugar: Adds the initial layer of sweetness and helps the apples caramelize.
- Ground cinnamon: A warm spice that brings cozy flavor and aroma.
- Ground nutmeg: Just a pinch adds depth and subtle spiciness.
- Lemon juice: Keeps the apples from browning and adds a hint of brightness.
- Old-fashioned rolled oats: For a hearty, chewy texture in the crisp topping.
- All-purpose flour: Helps bind the topping and gives it structure.
- Light brown sugar: For a rich, molasses-like sweetness in the topping.
- Unsalted butter: Melted butter brings a luscious, rich flavor and crispiness to the topping.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
- Caramel sauce: The crowning glory that adds creamy, buttery sweetness—feel free to use your favorite store-bought version or homemade for extra indulgence.
How to Make Caramel Apple Crisp Recipe
Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare Your Dish
Start by setting your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to make sure your crisp doesn’t stick and comes out looking picture-perfect. This step ensures even baking and easy serving later.
Step 2: Prepare the Apple Filling
Peeling and slicing six large Granny Smith apples is where the magic begins. Toss those beautiful green slices with granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and freshly squeezed lemon juice. The sugared spice coating ensures your apples bake up tender and flavorful, while the lemon juice keeps the apples bright and prevents browning. Spread this apple mixture evenly into your greased dish—it’s going to be the juicy center of your crisp.
Step 3: Make the Crisp Topping
In a separate bowl, combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, melted butter, and salt. Stir them up until you get a crumbly mixture that promises a golden, crunchy topping. This balance of oats and flour creates the perfect texture—crisp and hearty but still tender enough to melt in your mouth.
Step 4: Assemble and Add the Caramel
Sprinkle your oat topping evenly over the apple filling so every bite has the delicious crunch it deserves. Now here’s the best part: drizzle the caramel sauce over the crisp topping before it goes into the oven. This step adds a beautiful sweet glaze that caramelizes as it bakes, making your dessert extra special.
Step 5: Bake Until Perfect
Slide your assembled crisp into the oven and bake for about 45 to 50 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the topping turns a gorgeous golden brown and the apples inside are tender when poked with a fork. Baking slowly lets the apples soften just right while the topping crisps up beautifully.
Step 6: Cool and Get Ready to Serve
Once out of the oven, give the crisp a few minutes to cool down slightly. This resting time helps the flavors meld together and makes it easier to serve without drips. Warm Caramel Apple Crisp is wonderful on its own, but a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream takes it to pure bliss.
How to Serve Caramel Apple Crisp Recipe
Garnishes
Top your Caramel Apple Crisp Recipe with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream for a classic pairing, or add a swirl of whipped cream for extra richness. A sprinkle of chopped toasted pecans or a dusting of cinnamon elevates the presentation and adds delightful texture contrasts.
Side Dishes
This dessert shines best as the star of the show, but if you want to serve it alongside other treats, light options like a simple green salad or a fresh fruit platter keep the meal balanced. For a warm, comforting vibe, a mug of hot apple cider or spiced tea fits perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
Looking to impress at your next dinner? Serve individual portions in cute ramekins straight from the oven. Drizzle extra warm caramel sauce on top at the table for that wow factor. Or, create a layered parfait with alternating spoonfuls of crisp and whipped cream in clear glasses for a charming, modern twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Caramel Apple Crisp Recipe can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Keep the dish covered to maintain moisture and freshness, and you’ll have a ready-made indulgence for the next few days.
Freezing
If you want to make this crisp ahead of time, it freezes beautifully. Assemble the crisp but don’t bake it yet, then cover tightly with plastic wrap and foil before placing it in the freezer for up to two months. When you’re ready, bake it straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Reheating
To reheat, warm individual servings or the whole dish in a 350°F oven until heated through and the topping regains its crispness. Avoid microwaving if possible, as the topping can get soggy—but if you’re in a hurry, a quick zap is better than nothing!
FAQs
Can I use other types of apples for this recipe?
Absolutely! While Granny Smith apples offer the best balance of tartness and firmness, you can substitute with Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Braeburn for a sweeter or slightly different flavor profile. Just make sure the apples are firm enough to hold their shape during baking.
Is it necessary to use melted butter in the topping?
Melted butter helps bring the crisp topping together and creates that golden, crunchy texture. You could experiment with cold butter pieces, but melted butter distributes more evenly and makes mixing quicker and easier.
Can I make the caramel sauce from scratch?
Yes! Homemade caramel sauce can add an extra depth of flavor. It’s surprisingly simple to make using sugar, butter, and cream. Using homemade caramel lets you control sweetness and savor freshness, but store-bought caramel works perfectly well too.
How can I make the topping extra crunchy?
To boost crunch, chill the crisp topping mixture before sprinkling it over the apples. You can also add chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans, or a handful of shredded coconut for another layer of texture.
Is this dessert suitable for special occasions?
Definitely! Its warm, inviting flavors make the Caramel Apple Crisp Recipe a delightful choice for gatherings, holidays, or any time you want a comforting yet impressive dessert that pleases all ages.
Final Thoughts
If you’re ready to dive into a dessert that feels both homemade and extraordinary, you really should give this Caramel Apple Crisp Recipe a try. It’s one of those dishes that fills your kitchen with amazing smells and your heart with joy, plus it’s simple enough to whip up on a busy weeknight or save for a weekend treat. So grab those apples, get your caramel ready, and enjoy every cozy, crispy, sweet bite!
Print
Caramel Apple Crisp Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Caramel Apple Crisp is a comforting and delicious dessert featuring tender baked Granny Smith apples topped with a golden, buttery oat crisp and drizzled with rich caramel sauce. Easy to make and perfect for sharing, this classic treat is great served warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Ingredients
Apple Filling
- 6 large Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Crisp Topping
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Topping Sauce
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the Apple Filling: In a large bowl, combine the peeled, cored, and sliced apples with granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and lemon juice. Toss thoroughly so the apples are evenly coated, then spread the mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish.
- Make the Crisp Topping: In a separate bowl, mix the rolled oats, all-purpose flour, light brown sugar, melted butter, and salt. Stir until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Assemble the Crisp: Evenly sprinkle the oat topping over the apple mixture in the baking dish. Then drizzle the caramel sauce evenly over the topping to add a rich, sweet finish.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes. Bake until the topping turns golden brown and the apples are tender and easy to pierce with a fork.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the crisp to cool for a few minutes to set. Serve warm, optionally accompanied by vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an extra indulgent treat.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
- To enhance flavor, try adding chopped nuts such as pecans or walnuts to the crisp topping.
- If homemade caramel sauce is preferred, prepare it in advance and cool before drizzling.
- Serve this dessert warm for the best texture and flavor experience.
