I love me a good crisp, almost as much as I love pie. And in some ways I love them even more, because they are so easy to make and qualify equally as dessert and breakfast. This basic crisp recipe works great with a variety of fruit, but since it is apple picking season, apple is the obvious choice! I have been making a variation of this recipe since I was a little girl. I'm not sure how old I was when I received my first cookbook (My First Baking Book*) but I've been collecting them ever since. This book as a remarkable collection of truly stellar recipes, the thumbprint cookies cannot be improved upon, I highly recommend it for kids and adults alike.
Ok, where was I? Oh yes apple crisp. If at all possible, I encourage apple picking as the first step for this recipe. See if a neighbor has an apple tree hiding in their backyard or visit a local farm, fresh picked apples just taste better. Also, apples are in the dirty dozen and for this recipe I don't bother peeling the apples, so please try to get your hands on pesticide free apples if possible. Alright, now lets get baking!
Super Simple Apple Crisp
Notes: I use a cast iron skillet but a cassarole dish or pie pan work as well. This crisp lends itself to variations very nicely, use whatever fruit is in season, feel free to add nuts, change the sugar and spices, have fun!
You'll Need:
- 4 cups of apples, cored and thinly sliced (I used 8 small apples)
- 1/4 cup plus 2 Tablespoons brown sugar, divided (white sugar and maple syrup also work great here)
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon, divided
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, freshly ground
- 1/2 cup salted butter, room temperature
- 3/4 cup of all purpose flour (wheat or almond works as well)
- 2 cups rolled oats
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Core and thinly slice your apples, no need to peel. Toss with 1/4 cup of sugar (less if your apples are really sweet) plus 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and a pinch of salt. Spread in a cast iron skillet or oven proof dish.
- In a bowl combine all the remaining ingredients except the butter. Next add the butter and using your hands mix the crisp topping until it is crumbly with pea sized balls of butter, flour and oats.
- Spread the topping over your apples. Bake for 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
- Serve warm from the oven with ice cream for dessert or a splash of milk for breakfast.
Here's to fall baking!
* Affiliate link, I make a tiny commission if you buy something from Amazon after clicking on this link.