Apple Crisp

The difference between a crisp and a cobbler is the topping, and it is worth knowing which one you want. A cobbler is biscuit dough, soft and bready. A crisp is butter, flour, sugar and oats rubbed into crumbs that bake up closer to streusel. The crisp is faster and more forgiving, because crumbs do not have to hold together.

Cold butter is the requirement. Rubbing cold cubes into the dry ingredients leaves small pieces of fat that melt in the oven and push the crumbs apart as they go. Softened butter blends in instead and bakes into a single sheet, which is why a crisp sometimes arrives as a solid lid rather than a crumble.

Oats do the cheap work here. A canister of rolled oats runs about two dollars, and the half cup in this topping replaces the extra flour and butter a pastry lid would need, so the topping covers more pan per dollar.

Apple Crisp

Apple crisp is one of those desserts that never goes out of style. Unlike a cobbler, which features a biscuit-like topping, a crisp is finished with a buttery oat crumble that bakes into a wonderfully crunchy layer. The contrast between the crisp topping and the soft, cinnamon-spiced apples underneath makes every bite irresistible.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 8 servings

Ingredients

  

For the filling

• 6 medium apples peeled and sliced
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

For the crisp topping

• 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 350F (175C). Lightly grease an 8-inch square baking dish.
• In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples with the sugars, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and flour. Toss until evenly coated before transferring the mixture to the baking dish.
• In another bowl, stir together the oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Pour in the melted butter and mix until large crumbs form.
• Sprinkle the crumble evenly over the apples without pressing it down.
• Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling around the edges.
• Allow the crisp to cool for at least 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Frugal tip: if your pantry has chopped pecans, walnuts, or even sunflower seeds, stir a handful into the topping for added crunch without significantly increasing the cost.

Keyword apple crisp, Autumn, budget-friendly, easy dessert