Welcome to the ultimate guide for crafting a truly exceptional easy apple crisp recipe. This delightful dessert boasts a thick, warmly spiced cinnamon apple filling crowned with an irresistibly crispy brown sugar oat topping. The secret to its remarkable appeal lies in the perfect harmony between the tartness of the apples and the generous sweetness of the topping, creating a classic apple dessert that’s both comforting and profoundly satisfying.
This particular brown sugar apple crisp holds a special place in my heart, deeply rooted in childhood memories. I vividly recall my Mom preparing this, and I’m almost certain that at some point, she started doubling the already ample crisp topping. The result was a glorious 50:50, or perhaps even 40:60, ratio of tender apples to heavenly crunch – a proportion that, in my opinion, defines perfection in an apple crisp.
Growing up, we’d often find ourselves lingering in the kitchen, impatiently anticipating the moment the crisp had cooled just enough to sneak our first spoonfuls directly from the baking dish. Each bite was met with a shared smile and a silent nod of agreement: the crisp topping was undeniably the best part. As we refined our ritual over the years, a scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream and a luscious drizzle of homemade salted caramel sauce became indispensable additions, elevating this simple dessert to an extraordinary treat.
Table of Contents
- Why This is the Best Apple Crisp Recipe
- Professional Tips for Making Apple Crisp
- Ingredients for a Perfect Apple Crisp
- Variations, Substitutions & Creative Twists
- How to Make the Ultimate Apple Crisp
- Chef Lindsey’s Expert Recipe Tip
- What are the Best Cooking Apples for Crisp?
- Should You Peel Apples for Apple Crisp?
- Frequently Asked Questions About Apple Crisp
- Easy Apple Crisp Recipe Card
- Before You Go: Explore More Delicious Recipes
Why This is the Best Apple Crisp Recipe You’ll Ever Make
This recipe isn’t just easy; it’s designed for exceptional flavor and texture. Here’s what sets it apart as the ultimate homemade apple crisp:
- An Abundance of Topping: There’s nothing more disappointing than reaching for a serving of apple crisp only to find that the glorious topping has been rationed. With this recipe, that will never be an issue! We believe in a generous ratio, ensuring every single bite is packed with that irresistible, crunchy, buttery-sweet goodness. This isn’t just about quantity; it’s about making sure the topping contributes significantly to the overall experience, creating a dessert that feels truly indulgent.
- The Secret Power of Dark Brown Sugar: The profound, rich, and almost caramel-like flavor of our topping comes from using 100% dark brown sugar. Unlike its lighter counterpart, dark brown sugar contains a higher molasses content, which imbues the topping with a deeper color, a more complex sweetness, and a delightful chewiness that cannot be achieved with white or light brown sugar. This small change makes a monumental difference in the crisp’s overall profile, adding warmth and depth that will keep you coming back for more.
- A Masterful Balance of Tart and Sweet: To perfectly complement our sweet, rich topping, the apple filling is intentionally designed to be tart and vibrant. We achieve this by selecting crisp, tart apple varieties, enhancing their natural tang with fresh lemon juice, and using only a minimal amount of granulated sugar (just 2 tablespoons). This critical balance prevents the crisp from becoming cloyingly sweet, creating a dynamic flavor profile where each component shines. I learned this crucial lesson the hard way during my college days – a crisp made with overly sweet apples and too much sugar results in a one-note, uninspired dessert. Trust me, the tart apples are non-negotiable for this stellar crisp!
Professional Tips for Crafting an Unforgettable Apple Crisp
While this easy apple crisp recipe is designed for simplicity and incredible flavor, a few insights from a pastry chef can elevate your baking experience from great to truly extraordinary. These professional tips ensure perfect results every single time:
- Achieve Uniform Apple Pieces: Consistency is key in baking. While there’s no single “correct” size for your apple slices, the most important aspect is to cut them into similarly-sized pieces. Whether you prefer thin slices or chunkier bites, maintaining uniformity ensures that all the apples bake evenly. This prevents the unfortunate scenario where some apple pieces turn into mush while others remain crunchy and undercooked. Just like with classic apple pie or delightful apple hand pies, even cuts lead to a perfectly textured filling.
- Opt for Rolled Oats: For that quintessential crispy, chewy topping texture, always reach for rolled oats, also known as old-fashioned oats. These oats retain their shape and provide a satisfying bite after baking. Instant or quick-cooking oats, on the other hand, are processed to cook faster and tend to absorb too much moisture, potentially turning the topping soggy or less texturally interesting. The robust nature of rolled oats is crucial for achieving that desired “crisp.”
- Select the Ideal Apple Varieties: The choice of apples profoundly impacts the final flavor and texture of your crisp. For this recipe, I highly recommend using a combination of tart varieties like Honeycrisp, Cripps Pink, and Granny Smith. This blend ensures the filling maintains its essential tartness, providing that crucial counterbalance to the sweet brown sugar topping. Using a mix not only creates a more complex flavor profile but also introduces varied textures, making each spoonful a discovery. Feel free to experiment with your favorite apples, but remember to lean towards varieties that hold their shape well when baked and offer a good amount of tang.
Essential Ingredients for a Perfect Apple Crisp
Each ingredient in this recipe plays a vital role in creating the perfect balance of flavors and textures. Here’s a deeper dive into what you’ll need and why it matters:
- Apples: As mentioned, a blend of tart varieties like Honeycrisp, Cripps Pink, and Granny Smith is ideal for this easy apple crisp recipe. These apples maintain their structure during baking and provide the necessary tartness to perfectly offset the sweet topping. If you’re curious about other options, this comprehensive article on apple varieties offers excellent descriptions to guide your selection.
- Cinnamon: I personally favor Saigon cinnamon for its bold, spicy, and intensely aromatic profile, which truly elevates the apple filling. However, any good quality ground cinnamon will work beautifully. The key is to choose a cinnamon you love; simply give it a sniff – if you enjoy its fragrance, you’ll undoubtedly appreciate its flavor in your crisp!
- Lemon Juice: My golden rule for citrus is “fresh is always best.” The bright acidity of freshly squeezed lemon juice is indispensable in this recipe. It not only enhances the apples’ natural flavors but also prevents them from browning and adds a crucial zing that cuts through the sweetness. The amount specified in this recipe is roughly what you’d get from one medium-sized lemon. Remember to zest your lemon before you juice it to maximize its potential!
- Lemon Zest: Don’t overlook the power of zest! When zesting, focus only on the bright yellow outer layer of the lemon peel. This contains concentrated citrus oils that provide a vibrant, aromatic flavor without any bitterness. Avoid scraping into the white pith underneath, which can impart an undesirable bitter note.
- Ground Nutmeg: This recipe specifically calls for freshly ground nutmeg. The difference between freshly grated and pre-ground nutmeg is profound; fresh nutmeg offers a much more potent, complex, and fragrant aroma. If you don’t have whole nutmeg to grate, I suggest omitting it altogether, as its subtle contribution isn’t the star here, and pre-ground versions often fall short.
- Granulated Sugar: A minimal amount of granulated sugar is used in the filling. Its primary role isn’t to sweeten the apples significantly, but rather to begin the process of maceration, drawing out natural moisture from the fruit. This ensures a juicy, flavorful filling without making it excessively sweet, allowing the tartness of the apples to shine.
- Kosher Salt: Salt is a flavor enhancer, not just a seasoning. Kosher salt is preferred for baking because its coarser grain makes it less salty by volume compared to finer table salt, allowing for more precise measurement and distribution. It brilliantly balances and brightens the overall flavors of both the filling and the topping.
- Dark Brown Sugar: The star of our topping! Using dark brown sugar provides not only deep sweetness but also a rich, distinctive molasses flavor. This molasses content contributes to a more tender and chewy topping texture, setting it apart from crisps made with lighter sugars. Ensure it’s packed firmly when measuring for accuracy.
- All-purpose flour: This common pantry staple provides just the right amount of gluten to bind the crisp topping ingredients together, creating a tender yet crunchy streusel. It contributes to the topping’s structure without making it tough, ensuring that perfect crumbly texture.
- Unsalted Butter: For baking, I always recommend unsalted butter. This allows you complete control over the total salt content in your recipe. Different brands of salted butter vary in their sodium levels, making consistent results difficult. However, given the generous sugar content in this apple crisp, using salted butter will still yield a delicious result if that’s what you have on hand. Ensure it’s cold and cut into cubes for the best topping texture.
- Rolled Oats: Crucial for the “crisp” in apple crisp! Old-fashioned rolled oats are essential for achieving that desirable texture. They retain their individual shape and a slight chewiness after baking, providing a pleasant contrast to the soft apple filling. Avoid instant oats, which can turn mushy.
Variations, Substitutions & Creative Twists for Your Apple Crisp
While this recipe is perfect as is, it also serves as a fantastic canvas for your culinary creativity. Feel free to experiment with these delicious variations and substitutions:
- Explore Different Fruit Varieties: Don’t limit yourself to just apples! The beauty of this crisp recipe is its versatility. You can mix and match various apple varietals for a more complex flavor and varied texture, perhaps adding a sweet apple like Gala or Fuji alongside the tart ones. For an entirely different dessert, consider making this crisp with pears or peaches. My pear upside down cake and peach crisp recipe can serve as wonderful inspiration for adapting other fruits. Always adjust sugar slightly based on the sweetness of your chosen fruit.
- Customize the Spice Blend: While cinnamon is a classic pairing with apples, don’t hesitate to venture beyond! Introduce seasonal warmth with a spoonful of pumpkin spice, apple pie spice, or even a unique speculoos spice mix. When experimenting with new blends, it’s always best to start with a smaller quantity than the cinnamon measurement in the recipe (e.g., a pinch), taste the mixture (before adding apples), and then gradually add more until you reach your desired flavor intensity.
- Indulge in Caramel Apple Crisp: Elevate your apple crisp to a decadent caramel apple experience! You can either generously drizzle warm homemade salted caramel sauce over the baked crisp just before serving, allowing it to seep into the warm apples and mingle with the topping. Alternatively, for a deeper caramel flavor throughout the filling, gently fold some caramel sauce directly into the apple mixture before baking. This creates pockets of gooey caramel that are truly divine.
- Adjust the Topping Ratio: If your preference leans towards a more “traditional” or “normal” ratio of filling to topping, you can easily halve the crisp topping recipe as written. Even with half the amount, you’ll still have a substantial and delicious topping, more than enough to beautifully cover an 8-inch square baking dish. If you’re unsure, you can always prepare the full topping recipe, sprinkle on your desired amount, and then freeze any remaining crisp topping. It freezes beautifully and can be saved for future desserts, such as a delightful cardamom pear crisp or individual blueberry raspberry crumbles.
- Transform it into a Crumble Topping: If oats aren’t your preference, you can easily adapt this recipe to create a classic apple crumble. Simply substitute the oat topping with my delectable brown sugar streusel recipe, which I use for my beloved raspberry rhubarb crumble. For an added layer of flavor and crunch, consider incorporating toasted nuts like pecans or walnuts into the topping mixture. Their earthy notes pair wonderfully with apples and brown sugar.
How to Make the Ultimate Easy Apple Crisp: Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these detailed instructions to create a perfect apple crisp every time. For precise measurements and further details, please refer to the comprehensive recipe card located below.
Prepare the Flavorful Apple Filling:
Step 1: Slice and Season Apples. In a large mixing bowl, combine your peeled, cored, and uniformly sliced apples. Add the fresh lemon juice and zest, granulated sugar, ground nutmeg, cinnamon, and the pinch of kosher salt. Toss all the ingredients gently but thoroughly until every apple slice is evenly coated with the spice and lemon mixture. This ensures a consistent flavor throughout your filling.
Step 2: Macerate for Maximum Flavor. Cover the bowl containing the seasoned apples and refrigerate it for at least 1 ½ hours, stirring occasionally. This crucial maceration step allows the sugar to draw out moisture from the apples, concentrating their flavor and creating a luscious, juicy filling. While I understand impatience can strike, and the crisp will still be delicious if baked immediately, taking the time for maceration truly elevates the depth and complexity of the apple flavors. The result is a more vibrant, juicy, and intensely flavored filling.
Chef’s Insight: The Magic of Maceration. Allowing the apples to macerate isn’t just a suggestion; it’s a technique that significantly enhances the overall flavor and juiciness of your crisp. The sugar draws out the apples’ natural juices, creating a rich syrup and intensifying the fruit’s taste. While rushing it still yields a tasty crisp, the difference in flavor depth after proper maceration is truly remarkable.
Craft the Perfect Crispy Topping:
Step 3: Preheat Your Oven. Adjust your oven rack to the middle position and preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures even baking and a perfectly golden crisp.
Step 4: Prepare the Streusel Topping. In a medium bowl, thoroughly stir together the dark brown sugar, all-purpose flour, and rolled oats. This ensures all dry ingredients are well combined. Next, add the cold, cubed unsalted butter to the dry mixture. Using your fingertips, or a pastry blender, work the butter into the flour mixture. The goal is to incorporate the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some larger, pea-sized chunks. Grab handfuls of the mixture, squeeze them, and mash them against your palm with your fingers. Repeat this process quickly, working the butter in until most lumps have disappeared, and the mixture comes together in crumbly clusters. Working quickly is essential to prevent the butter from melting, which would result in a tough rather than crispy topping.
Assemble & Bake for Perfection:
Step 5: Assemble Your Crisp. Give the macerated apples one final stir to redistribute the juices and spices, then pour the entire filling mixture evenly into an 8-inch square baking dish. Now, generously cover the apples with your prepared crisp topping. Feel free to use as much or as little as you desire – remember, this recipe yields a lot of topping for those who love an extra crunch! For an even more delightful texture, press some of the topping down gently into the apples. This allows a portion of the topping to absorb some of the apple juices, creating a wonderful soft, almost cake-like layer that contrasts beautifully with the crispy top layer.
Pro Tip for a Multi-Textured Topping: Don’t just sprinkle! Pressing a portion of the crisp topping lightly into the apple filling during assembly is a game-changer. This technique allows that buried topping to soften slightly as it bakes, absorbing some of the apple’s delicious juices and providing a wonderfully tender contrast to the golden, crispy topping on top.
Step 6: Bake Until Golden and Bubbly. Place the assembled crisp in your preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes. The crisp is perfectly done when the topping is a rich golden brown, and you can see the apple filling vigorously bubbling around the edges of the dish. This bubbling is a clear indicator that the apples are thoroughly cooked and their juices have thickened. If you prefer your apples exceptionally soft, you can extend the baking time by an additional 10-15 minutes, keeping a close eye on the topping to prevent over-browning.
The Secret to a Thicker, Luscious Filling: Patience is paramount here! The key to a perfectly thickened and juicy apple filling is ensuring it bakes for a sufficient duration. Resist the urge to pull the crisp out of the oven too early. Wait until you observe clear, consistent bubbling of the filling and the topping has achieved a beautiful, deep golden-brown hue. This ensures the starches in the apples and any added thickening agents have had ample time to work their magic.
Step 7: Cool and Serve Warm. Once baked to perfection, remove the apple crisp from the oven and allow it to cool on a wire rack for about 10 minutes. This brief cooling period allows the filling to set slightly and the flavors to meld beautifully. Serve this warm, comforting dessert with a generous scoop of luxurious vanilla bean ice cream, or if you’re feeling ambitious, whip up a batch of this easy crème anglaise recipe while your crisp cools for an extra touch of elegance!
Chef Lindsey’s Expert Recipe Tip
In deceptively simple recipes like this delightful apple crisp, the quality and preparation of each individual ingredient truly make all the difference. Don’t underestimate the impact of thoughtful choices: always opt for the freshest, tart apples you can find, take the extra moment to painstakingly zest and juice a fresh lemon for its vibrant aromatics, and remember that invaluable step of pressing some of that glorious, buttery topping into the apple filling. These seemingly small details contribute immensely to the overall depth of flavor, texture, and unforgettable experience of your homemade crisp!
What are the Best Cooking Apples for Apple Crisp?
Ultimately, the “best” cooking apples for crisp are those that you personally enjoy the most. However, for a truly exceptional apple crisp with complex flavor and varied texture, I always recommend using a combination of different apple varieties. The ideal apples for baking retain some firmness and structure even after cooking, rather than turning into a watery mush. Excellent choices include Cripps Pink, Honeycrisp, Granny Smith (a classic for its tartness), Braeburn, Gala, and Fuji. For this specific recipe, I strongly lean towards tart varieties over overly sweet ones. This tartness is crucial for balancing the rich sweetness of the brown sugar topping, creating a more dynamic and satisfying dessert. Varieties like Red Delicious, which tend to break down too much, are best reserved for applications like apple butter or apple sauce, where a smooth consistency is desired.
Should You Peel Apples for Apple Crisp?
Whether to peel apples for apple crisp is often a matter of personal preference, and many home cooks leave the peels on for added fiber and color. However, in my professional opinion as a pastry chef, it is unequivocally best to peel the apples before slicing and baking them into a crisp or pie. My experience in professional kitchens has shown that diners overwhelmingly prefer the smoother texture of crisp made with peeled apples. Unpeeled apples can sometimes result in slices of tough apple peel, which can detract from the otherwise soft and tender filling. Additionally, peeled apples tend to bake more evenly, ensuring a consistently delightful texture throughout your dessert. For a truly refined and universally appealing apple crisp, take the extra step to peel your apples.
Frequently Asked Questions About Apple Crisp
Once your apple crisp has cooled completely to room temperature, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container. It can then be refrigerated for up to one week. For longer storage, cooled apple crisp freezes beautifully for up to two months. To reheat, allow frozen crisp to thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then warm it in a 350°F (175°C) oven until heated through and bubbling. Avoid using a convection setting during reheating, as it can cause the topping to burn before the center warms adequately.
While the terms “crisp” and “crumble” are often used interchangeably in casual cooking, there is a technical distinction. Traditionally, an apple crisp features a topping that includes oats, which become crispy and slightly chewy during baking. An apple crumble, on the other hand, typically has a streusel topping made solely from flour, sugar, and butter, resulting in a more crumbly, cake-like texture without the addition of oats. While many modern recipes blur these lines, this classic definition highlights the textural difference oats bring to a “crisp.”
A dry apple crisp with an unjuicy filling can be disappointing, but several factors might be at play. The most common reasons include using old apples, selecting the wrong apple varieties, over-baking the crisp, or skipping the crucial maceration step. Apples naturally lose moisture over time, which is why older apples shrivel. Always choose firm, brightly colored apples that feel heavy for their size. Different apple varieties release varying amounts of moisture; using a combination can help mitigate this. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, allowing the sliced apples to macerate in sugar and lemon juice before baking initiates the process of drawing out their natural water content. They will continue to release moisture as they bake, ensuring a luscious, juicy filling. Skipping maceration can lead to a drier result, regardless of apple choice.
There’s truly no “wrong” way to enjoy a warm, homemade apple crisp! For a classic indulgence, serve it piping hot with a generous scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream that melts deliciously over the warm apples. Other exquisite accompaniments include a spoonful of elegant vanilla bean crème anglaise, a rich drizzle of salted caramel sauce, or a dollop of freshly whipped cream. For an added layer of flavor and crunch, consider sprinkling your crisp with toasted pecans, walnuts, or almonds. A sprinkle of flaky sea salt can also beautifully enhance the sweet and tart flavors.
If you tried this recipe and absolutely loved it, please take a moment to leave a 🌟 star rating and share your thoughts in the comments section below. Your feedback truly brightens my day and helps other home bakers discover this delicious recipe!
Easy Apple Crisp
Chef Lindsey
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45
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15
12 people
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Ingredients
For the Filling:
- 5 cups tart apples peeled, sliced and cut into ¾ inch pieces – (Granny Smiths & Cripps Pink recommended)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ½ lemon zested
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg freshly ground
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
For the Topping:
- 1 cup dark brown sugar packed
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup rolled oats not instant
- ½ cup unsalted butter cold, cut into cubes
8 x
8
inch
rectangle
Instructions
Mix the apple filling:
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In a medium bowl, combine sliced apples, lemon juice, lemon zest, granulated sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, and the pinch of salt. Stir thoroughly to evenly coat all the apples.
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Cover the bowl and let the apples sit in the refrigerator for at least 1 ½ hours, stirring occasionally. This maceration step enhances the flavors and juiciness. While delicious even without the full maceration time, allowing the apples to sit yields superior flavor.
Make the brown sugar crisp topping:
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Preheat your oven to 350℉ (175°C) with the rack in the middle position.
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In a medium bowl, stir together the dark brown sugar, flour, and rolled oats. Add the cold butter cubes and toss to coat them with the flour mixture. Using your hands, work the butter into the flour mixture by grabbing a handful, squeezing, and mashing it against your palm with your fingers. Continue this process until your hand is tired, and the mixture forms distinct chunks with only a few small lumps of butter remaining. Work as quickly as possible to prevent the butter from melting.
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Give the apples one last stir, then pour them into an 8-inch square baking dish. Cover the apples generously with the crisp topping, using as much or as little as you prefer (the recipe provides a generous amount!). For an added textural contrast, press some of the topping down into the apples.
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Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is visibly bubbling out the sides. If you desire very soft apples, continue to bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, monitoring the topping to prevent over-browning.
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Let the crisp cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes before serving warm with your favorite ice cream.
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This dish can also be prepared ahead of time. Allow it to cool completely, then wrap it well with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to one week, or freeze for several months. To serve, thaw completely if frozen, then reheat in a 350° F (175°C) oven until warmed through.
Notes
Variations – If you prefer a more traditional, “normal” ratio of apple filling to topping, simply halve the topping recipe as written. You will still have plenty to cover an 8-inch square dish.
Storage – Apple crisp can be baked ahead, cooled to room temperature, wrapped securely, and then frozen for up to two months. Alternatively, refrigerated leftovers will stay fresh for up to seven days. The streusel topping can also be made in advance and refrigerated for up to 7 days or frozen for up to two months before assembly.
Nutrition
Calories: 222kcal
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Carbohydrates: 37g
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Protein: 2g
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Fat: 8g
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Saturated Fat: 5g
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Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g
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Monounsaturated Fat: 2g
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Trans Fat: 1g
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Cholesterol: 20mg
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Sodium: 116mg
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Potassium: 117mg
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Fiber: 2g
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Sugar: 25g
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Vitamin A: 266IU
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Vitamin C: 5mg
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Calcium: 26mg
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Iron: 1mg
Dessert
American
222
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Before You Go: Explore More Delicious Recipes
I sincerely hope you enjoyed crafting and savoring this professional chef-tested recipe for easy apple crisp. It’s a true classic that brings warmth and joy to any occasion. As you continue your culinary journey, I invite you to explore our other delicious, chef-developed crisps and crumble recipes, perfect for any season. For those who adore autumn flavors, dive into our favorite fall dessert recipes, and don’t miss our curated collection of the 21 best apple dessert recipes for endless inspiration. Happy baking!