Description
This Apple Pecan Crisp is a comforting dessert featuring tart Granny Smith apples coated in a spiced pecan mixture and topped with a buttery, crunchy oat and pecan crumble. Baked to golden perfection, this crisp balances sweet, tangy, and warm spice flavors, making it an ideal all-season treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Apple Mixture
- 6 cups Granny Smith apples (peeled and sliced)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon cardamom
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 cup pecans (salted and chopped, divided)
Crumb Topping
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup old fashioned oats
- 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup cold butter (cubed)
- 1/2 cup pecans (salted and chopped, remaining half)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish with softened butter or cooking spray to prevent the crisp from sticking during baking.
- Prepare the Spiced Pecan Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and half of the chopped pecans until evenly combined to create the flavorful mixture that will coat the apples.
- Toss Apples with Lemon Juice: In a separate bowl, toss the peeled and sliced Granny Smith apples with lemon juice to prevent browning and add a subtle tang that brightens the dessert.
- Combine Apples and Dry Mixture: Add the spiced pecan mixture to the bowl of apples and toss thoroughly until all apple slices are completely coated, ensuring even flavor distribution.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Spread the coated apple mixture evenly into the prepared casserole dish, forming a uniform layer to bake evenly.
- Prepare the Crumb Topping: In another bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, nutmeg, and salt. Use a pastry cutter or fork to blend in the cold cubed butter until the mixture achieves a coarse, crumbly texture resembling coarse sand.
- Add Remaining Pecans: Stir the remaining chopped pecans into the crumb topping mixture to add crunch and enhance the flavor profile of the topping.
- Top the Apples: Evenly sprinkle the prepared crumb topping over the apple layer in the baking dish, making sure the entire surface is covered for a balanced crispiness.
- Bake the Crisp: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until the apples are tender when pierced with a fork and the topping is golden brown and crisp to the touch.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
- Use unsalted pecans if you prefer less sodium; adjust salt in topping accordingly.
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for a classic pairing.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, reheat before serving.
- You can add a pinch of cloves or allspice for extra warmth if desired.
